8.3 High Priority Actions (Provincial)

Participants to the deliberative dialogue sessions were asked to gauge the importance of 13 different actions that could be used to address skills needs and the aging workforce:

1. Stem the out-migration of young people.
2. Attract more immigrants with the job skills we need.
3. Do nothing - let the market forces naturally resolve the issue.
4. Provide better supports to those who may face barriers to entering the labour market (e.g. the long-term unemployed, minority communities, those with literacy problems, Aboriginals etc.)
5. Encourage older workers to continue working for several more years.
6. Encourage higher education and lifelong learning.
7. Create decent and secure job opportunities for people.
8. Increase economic productivity through investments in R&D and training.
9. Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
10. Improve coordination across business, labour, government and the education system.
11. Encourage employers to provide more and better training to their employees.
12. Address literacy and numeracy issues in the general population.
13. Ensure that young people understand the benefits and rewards of working in the skilled construction trades, like plumbing and carpentry.

Each action was evaluated along a five-point scale ranging from "not at all important" to "very important." In addition, participants were asked to specify from the list of 13, the three actions they felt were priorities. Participants carried out the evaluation and prioritization exercise in both the pre- and post-dialogue questionnaires.