This week, I wanted to share a few webinars and video resources that offer thoughtful insights into the shifts we’re navigating in the labour market. Each one speaks directly to the work we do as community-based employment service providers.

Youth Employment in 2025: Trends Reshaping the Next Gen Workforce in Canada

A recent webinar from the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC) highlights a troubling reality for young people entering today’s labour market. Pete Nelson, Senior Economist with LMIC, describes current conditions as “very tough by historical standards,” and the data confirms it.

Youth unemployment has reached 14.3%, the highest level in 15 years outside the pandemic. Unemployment among undergraduate degree holders is also at a 32-year high, signalling that education is no longer a reliable pathway to opportunity. Prolonged unemployment and underemployment have lasting consequences—slower earnings growth, delayed milestones, and nearly a decade of reduced financial stability. These individual impacts compound into broader economic effects, influencing consumer spending, business confidence, and future government revenues.

Four forces are driving these challenges: economic uncertainty, rapid growth in the youth population, emerging technologies that eliminate entry-level roles, and persistent mismatch between young people’s qualifications and employer demand. Entry-level vacancies in tech, marketing, and HR have fallen sharply, shrinking pathways into the workforce.

In this environment, community-based employment services are essential. Yet many young people and their families, remain unaware they are eligible for free supports. Early access to career navigation, labour-market literacy, training options, and one-on-one guidance can make a measurable difference in long-term mobility and resilience.

North America Career Week 2025-Amplifying Advocacy: Career Development in a Disrupted World of Work


Last week, I had the privilege of joining an exceptional panel for North America Career Week 2025, expertly moderated by Dr. Candy Ho, whose leadership continues to shape our field. The conversation, Amplifying Advocacy: Career Development in a Disrupted World of Work, brought together voices from across North America to explore how career development professionals can move beyond reacting to disruption and instead shape the conditions for decent work and equitable access. This was a collaboration between CERIC, the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), and the American National Career Development Association (NSCD)

Our discussion centred on five interconnected themes—decent work in a cost-of-living crisis, integrating mental health with career services, AI and automation, youth and long-term unemployment, and inclusive entrepreneurship. I spoke to the urgent need for both immediate stability and long-term mobility in a labour market where even full-time work often fails to meet basic living costs. We also explored the growing importance of trauma-informed, person-centred service delivery, and the need for funding and policy frameworks that recognize outcomes like confidence, belonging, and attachment—not just immediate job placements.

Other panelists examined the implications of AI, employer readiness, and the evolving skills ecosystem, reminding us that advocacy requires both evidence and courage. My thanks to Dr. Ho and my fellow panelists for a powerful, energizing conversation about the future of our profession.

Future Skills Centre Playlist: Securing Canada's Prosperity

The Future Skills Centre has released a YouTube playlist from its recent virtual conference, A Future Built on Skills, a timely forum exploring how Canada can meet its most urgent workforce challenges. As the country experiences rapid shifts in technology, demographics, immigration, climate adaptation, and global competitiveness, this series brings together influential voices from government, business, education, and community to chart a coordinated path forward.

For ASPECT members, this playlist underscores what community-based providers already know: Canada’s ambitions depend on people. Whether we are building more housing, addressing labour gaps, or supporting new Canadians, career and employment services are essential infrastructure. The conference’s closing session, From Talk to Action, is especially relevant, emphasizing the need for practical, scalable solutions driven by evidence and frontline experience.

All the videos are well worth watching and sharing with your teams.

Janet Morris-Reade, CEO
ASPECT BC

The Province’s new Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada strategy lays out an ambitious plan for B.C.’s economic future. It highlights major project investment, expansion of key sectors such as life sciences, maritime, aerospace, and tech, and a strong emphasis on building the workforce needed to fuel this growth.

What’s missing, however, is recognition of the essential role community-based employment service providers play in making any of this possible.

Although the strategy speaks at length about training seats, micro-credentials, immigration pathways, and attracting global talent, it overlooks the first interventions of workforce development: helping people prepare for, enter, and stay in the labour market. ASPECT members support British Columbians every day with career exploration, readiness, skills development, barrier removal, and employer connections. These services are vital for trades, tech, and all the targeted sectors identified in the strategy.

Major projects such as LNG, critical minerals, port expansions, and clean-energy infrastructure will require strong local hiring pipelines. Community-based providers are already doing this work, but are missing in the plan. Similarly, as BC seeks to double employment in tech and life sciences, we must ensure people can access these opportunities, not just through training, but through wraparound supports and guided pathways.

In short, we cannot achieve BC’s economic goals without the foundational work of the employment services sector.

ASPECT will continue advocating for greater recognition of community-based employment and career development services as essential partners in BC’s economic strategy. Our sector is ready to help the province meet its goals, and we want to be fully at the table as this work moves forward.

Janet Morris-Reade, CEO

Last Friday, the B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2025–2035 was published. Kudos to our colleagues in government who pull this report together. I know it takes a ton of work.

The outlook projects more than one million job openings across the province over the next decade. Two-thirds will come from retirements and one-third from new growth. It’s an impressive number, but it also underscores a truth our sector has known for years and many of the solutions already exist in our communities.

Community-based employment programs are not simply helping people find work; they are building BC’s workforce from the ground up preparing people for employment, working with employers to adapt to the labour market, and contributing to economic development initiatives. Yet, as a sector, is our collective expertise remaining underutilized as the economic driver it could be?

Our network of providers has the local knowledge, trusted relationships, and proven models to connect people to jobs faster and more effectively than top-down solutions. When the province faces a projected shortage of skilled workers, this community-based infrastructure should be seen as a critical part of the solution, not an afterthought.

The Labour Market Outlook identifies the sectors with the most demand — health care, professional services, construction, and retail — but it doesn’t tell the full story. Behind each of those openings are people navigating barriers, transitions, and opportunities. Employment service providers are the bridge between labour market data and human reality.

If BC is to fill those million job openings, our sector must be fully at the table; shaping training strategies, informing workforce policy, and receiving stable funding to scale what works. We can do so much, but with the right recognition and investment, we can do so much more.

This week’s federal budget included several new investments that will affect publicly funded employment services, and by extension, ASPECT members and the communities we serve. While many of the programs begin in 2026–27, they signal renewed federal attention on workforce development, youth employment, and community-based innovation. Here are some highlights for employment services:

• Workforce Alliances and Innovation Fund – $382.9 million over five years to support sector- and region-specific workforce solutions. This could fund collaborative, community-based projects that reflect local needs, particularly in rural and remote areas.

• Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) – An additional $570 million over three years will flow to provinces and territories for training and employment supports. ASPECT will continue advocating that BC’s share of funding fully recognizes the costs faced by community-based employment service providers.

• Youth Employment Initiatives – Renewed investments in Canada Summer Jobs, the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, and the Student Work Placement Program will create approximately 175,000 youth opportunities, including for those facing barriers.

• Foreign Credential Recognition & Apprenticeships – $97 million for credential recognition (health and construction) and $75 million for expanded union training programs.

• Canada Disability Benefit & Automatic Benefits – Modest but positive steps to improve income stability and simplify benefit access for people with disabilities and low-income Canadians.
  
  

These initiatives recognize that effective employment services start in communities and not at the top of government. They present opportunities for ASPECT members to lead pilot projects, strengthen partnerships, and ensure BC’s community-based providers have a voice in federal implementation.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll monitor how these commitments flow through the province and share opportunities to engage. Put your thinking caps on for ideas or local projects that align with these new investments.

Janet Morris-Reade
CEO, ASPECT BC

Last Friday, I met with my fellow board members of the Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training (CCCBET) and Miles Wu, Senior Policy Analyst to the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. As you can imagine, the public service in Ottawa is exceptionally busy preparing for the federal budget release on November 4, and many of the pre-announcements suggest that employment funding is once again at the forefront.
 
While this focus is encouraging, many initiatives appear to be top-down solutions. That’s great, but we know they would be even more effective if they were complemented by bottom-up approaches that leverage the expertise of community-based service providers. We were delighted to share with Mr. Wu how our members are already connected to job seekers, employers, and community economic development groups, identifying and addressing local labour-market challenges long before the data reaches government.
 
CCCBET has a proposal before the federal government to strengthen this connection by establishing a national network of sector councils, which would link community-based service providers across Canada. From what we are hearing in Ottawa, we might be in the right place at the right time. For BC’s community-based employment service providers, this could mean long-awaited federal investment in our existing network, recognizing that allowing it to weaken in today’s dynamic labour market would be a disservice to both Canada’s economic resilience and its communities.
 
I’ll keep you posted on our progress.

Janet Morris-Reade, CEO
ASPECT BC
 

I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but this coming November is a month of recognition and celebration for our sector. It’s an opportunity to highlight the incredible work of community-based employment service providers and Career Development Professionals across BC and beyond.

Community Employment Service Providers Week in BC

ASPECT has received a provincial proclamation designating November 10 to 14 (a.k.a. ASPECT Conference week) as Community Employment Service Providers Week in BC. This recognition highlights the vital role our members play in strengthening local economies and supporting inclusive employment across the province. It raises our visibility, reinforces ASPECT’s advocacy with government, and celebrates the community-based expertise that drives lasting workforce and economic resilience. 

Canadian Career Month

In November, we also celebrate Canadian Career Month. The theme, AMPLIFY, invites us all to #amplify career development by raising awareness of our work, advocating for our sector, creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, and showcasing innovation in our field. Let’s share our stories and events using #amplify and #careermonth, and follow Career Month on LinkedIn and Instagram to see how others across Canada are amplifying their impact.

North American Career Week

As part of North American Career Week, hosted by the National Career Development Association, the Canadian Career Development Foundation, and CERIC, I’ll be joining colleagues from across Canada and the United States for a virtual panel, Amplifying Advocacy: Career Development in a Disrupted World of Work, on Wednesday, November 19. We’ll explore how Career Development Professionals shape real solutions through advocacy, creativity, and collaboration. It's a free session, but pre-registration is required.

Global Career Month

The second Global Careers Month is organized by the Inter-Agency Working Group on Career Guidance, which includes Cedefop, the European Commission, European Training Foundation, International Labour Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, NESCO and The World Bank. In partnership with the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance. The initiative will feature global and regional events, beginning with an opening webinar on November 5 and concluding on November 26.

We are part of something big, mighty, and global! Let’s make this coming month a celebration; a time to connect and an opportunity to amplify the important work we do every day.

Janet Morris-Reade
CEO

Three new reports caught my attention this week, each offering a glimpse into what’s ahead for Canada’s workforce and what it means for those of us in employment services.

Future Skills Centre’s Building Capacity and Skills to Survive Shock  looks at how not-for-profits can build resilience to navigate whatever comes next. Whether it’s economic shifts, technological change, or workforce shortages, the message is clear: we need to invest in leadership skills, flexible systems, and cross-sector collaboration. That’s something ASPECT members already do so well: adapt quickly and support both clients and employers through uncertainty.
 

RBC’s Powering a Postsecondary Pivot  takes a big-picture look at how Canada can prepare talent for emerging industries like defence, space, AI, and clean energy. While those sectors might sound far from our daily work, the skills they highlight —digital literacy, creativity, and problem-solving —are exactly what today’s employment programs are helping people develop.
 

And finally, the Indigenous Employment Hub report, also from Future Skills Centre, reminds us that innovation in workforce development must be grounded in equity and community. It showcases how Indigenous-led approaches can shape more inclusive and sustainable pathways to work for everyone.
 

On a related note, there’s an opportunity to help shape how artificial intelligence (AI) enters our field. The Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), in partnership with Magnet and international collaborators, is inviting CDPs across Canada to share their experiences with AI in career development. The survey only takes 15 minutes and will help guide how our profession integrates these new tools ethically and effectively. You can participate here: AI in Career Development Survey before November 3, 2025.
 

Together, these initiatives remind us that the future of work will demand flexibility, partnerships, and a deep commitment to people. ASPECT members are already leading that charge.

Janet Morris-Reade
CEO

Over the past several weeks, ASPECT has been meeting virtually with members across BC to hear their perspectives on the current employment services landscape and upcoming procurement opportunities. These conversations have been frank, insightful, and deeply appreciated. Thank you to everyone who has shared their time and expertise so far—your feedback is shaping ASPECT’s advocacy and strengthening our collaboration with government partners.
 

Both government and employment service providers share the same goal: to create the most effective programs possible, with programs that support clients and employers alike and position employment services as a true economic driver in this province. Together, we are united by a common purpose: helping people achieve meaningful employment through training, support, and removing barriers to work. Our shared efforts continue to focus on building systems that are responsive, inclusive, and grounded in community.
 

Last Wednesday’s BC Bid notification about the next phase of procurement has prompted additional questions and discussion. The ASPECT Board will meet next week to review our collective understanding of the notice and explore ways to provide greater clarity to our members.
 

In anticipation of upcoming opportunities, we are happy to announce the return of Liz Busch to deliver a four-part Procurement Workshop Series in early January. Designed to prepare organizations to respond confidently to BC Government contracting opportunities, the sessions include:

 

• Procurement 101
• Proposal Writing
• How Government Evaluates Proposals
• What Executives Need to Know About Procurement

Registration details and dates are now available on the ASPECT website.

Thank you for your continued engagement and for the essential work you do to strengthen employment services and communities across BC. Best wishes to you all for a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving weekend!

Janet Morris-Reade
CEO

I am pleased to share that research conducted by ASPECT earlier this year with the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) has now been published as a position paper: Strengthening Rural and Remote Supported Employment Services in Canada. This work builds on ASPECT’s earlier study, "Refocusing the Urban Lens for Rural & Remote Employment Services,"  from November 2022, and was made possible through a CASE and a Government of Canada Social Inclusion Project (SIP) grant.

The report highlights the unique challenges and opportunities of providing supported employment services in rural and remote areas across the country, with a particular focus on people with disabilities. What became clear through this work is that employment is not just an economic issue — it is fundamentally a matter of social justice. When individuals with disabilities are denied equitable access to meaningful employment, communities lose out on the richness of their skills, contributions, and leadership.

The findings underscore the need for enhanced collaboration among provinces, territories, and service systems. Employment services are most effective when they are responsive to local realities yet connected through networks of shared learning and advocacy. This is especially true in rural and remote regions where providers often face isolation, resource limitations, and structural barriers. Strengthening these connections will ensure more consistent, equitable, and sustainable employment pathways for people with disabilities across Canada.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed their time and expertise to this research process. Consultations were held in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, and the insights provided by community-based service providers were invaluable. Their voices ensured that the final report reflects both the challenges on the ground and the innovative approaches already making a difference. Special thanks go to our colleagues and their members from the Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training (CCCBET), whose networks helped us connect with interview participants across the country.

At ASPECT, we remain committed to advancing this conversation and advocating for stronger supports for both service providers and job seekers. I encourage you to read the full report and consider how these findings can inform our collective advocacy. Together, we can ensure that supported employment is recognized not only as an economic driver but also as a pathway to dignity, inclusion, and community well-being.

Read the report here:

• Report – English: Beyond the Urban Lens: Strengthening Rural and Remote Supported Employment Services in Canada
• Report – French: Au-delà de la perspective urbaine: Renforcer les services de soutien à l’emploi dans les régions rurales et éloignées au Canada
• Plain Language Executive Summary – English: Building Fair Employment Services in Rural and Remote Communities in Canada

 
Janet Morris-Reade
CEO

On September 30, Canada marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, created in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This year is especially significant: it has been 10 years since the 94 Calls to Action were first published.

For those of us working in career development and social services, this milestone is a reminder that reconciliation is not separate from our daily work—it is embedded in how we design, deliver, and advocate for employment programs. Many Calls to Action point directly to areas where our sector has influence: equitable access to education and training, support for Indigenous languages and cultures, culturally appropriate service delivery, and sustained economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples.

Employment programs are more than pathways to jobs; they are platforms for dignity, inclusion, and economic self-determination. Yet systemic barriers remain. As service providers, we must challenge ourselves to adapt delivery so it is responsive, culturally grounded, and co-created with Indigenous partners.

Several of the Calls to Action speak directly to our field. Call to Action 7 challenges us to help close the educational and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians—a responsibility that sits at the heart of our programs. Call to Action 92 calls on organizations, including those in employment and training, to ensure equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities, while also embedding cultural competency throughout our workplaces. These Calls remind us that reconciliation is not abstract; it is tied to the everyday work of creating employment pathways that are inclusive, respectful, and equitable.

This means:

• Partnering with Indigenous organizations and employers to co-design training and placements.

• Advocating for funding models that reflect the real costs of rural, remote, and Indigenous service delivery.

• Embedding cultural safety and humility in every stage of programming.

• Recognizing Indigenous knowledge and leadership as central to workforce development.

As we pause on September 30, let’s recommit to ensuring that reconciliation is integrated into our programs, policies, and advocacy every day of the year.

Janet Morris-Reade
CEO