Vulnerable groups: Participants observed that immigrants, persons with disabilities and members of other disadvantaged groups face other barriers to work. Many find it difficult to gain work experience in their field and must accept jobs that do not make full use of their skills. Participants also felt government must address the issue of poverty and ensure all Islanders receive a decent, liveable income. They also stressed that literacy problems harm economic growth and need to be addressed by removing the stigma attached to illiteracy.
Older workers: Participants in PEI commented that older workers faced incentives to leave the workforce (e.g., CPP and pension plan structures) when, instead, they should be encouraged to stay to help train new workers and contribute to the economy. Participants also recommended that Employment Insurance (E.I.) be reformed so that it could be used to fund succession planning and mentorship initiatives.
Role of employer: Participants stated that many employers feel they simply do not have the time required to mentor and develop new employees because of competitive pressures that are placing a higher emphasis on productivity. Others suggested examining the Quebec model, where employers pay a tax earmarked for employee education.
Employment standards legislation: Participants acknowledged that the province's low employment standards could be a comparative advantage over other provinces, but warned against marketing the Island as simply a "cheap" labour market. Eventually, a skills shortage may end up increasing wages.
Participants felt strongly that economic development is the foundation on which solutions to PEI's skills shortage can be built.
Economic and labour market development strategy: Participants agreed there should be a combined economic and labour market development strategy for the province, because these issues are sides of the same coin. They felt this strategy should address the seasonal and full- time dimensions of the PEI economy and that it must build upon the timely collection and dissemination of labour market information to inform planning and decisions (participants noted the difficulty inherent to obtaining such labour market information in a small province like PEI). It was noted that the province's sector councils could act as a vehicle for increased collaboration and communication among stakeholders as part of this strategy. Participants also highlighted the importance of recognizing and supporting the contribution of small businesses to PEI's economy. Finally, they called on governments to be more "client-centric", to make their information and programs more easily accessible and flexible.
Employment Insurance: Participants spent considerable time discussing possible changes to the current Employment Insurance (E.I.) program, to make it more flexible and client-centred. They recognized that PEI has a historical relationship to the program because of its use by those involved in the seasonal parts of its economy. They felt the program could be more accessible for people seeking to update skills or change careers, and that it could offer (or fund) more career development services and supports. In particular, they noted that access to the E.I. program should not be limited to those who are unemployed, but that is should also support those who are currently in the labour market.
Marketing PEI: Participants felt that PEI must engage in marketing and "re-branding" of itself, both to the world and to Islanders themselves. Participants expressed a genuine pride in the province and suggested that it should lever its strengths: "small and smart are advantages!".