With the public policy objectives of overcoming the access, skills training, and capacity development divides, the use of information and communication technology (such as through the CAP and CLN programs) is proving to be an important supportive resource for individuals and community organizations. For those providing services to the less connected equity groups, these services can help community agencies (for example, schools, libraries, community centres, etc.) improve the services they provide. The technologies also allow the organizations to link to other organizations in the community and elsewhere to share resources and services, and improve overall service delivery for both equity groups and the general public. These activities also provide opportunities for greater collaboration with businesses in linking skills training, employment and economic innovation, and growth in the community (for example, apprenticeships and skills training).

Major challenges, however, include the lack of availability of sufficient and properly designed resources (financial, informational, etc.) from different levels of government; the need for the development of expertise within the community in understanding the potential benefits of using technology in these ways; and the way to access and most efficiently use outside resources (for example, government support).

Based on the capacity development mandate of the CLN program of HRDC, the establishment of provincial or regional CLN community assistance teams could help community organizations through sharing expertise on strategies and activities needed to address issues relating to access, training, partnerships, capacity development and resources. Such teams could be made up from a pool of individuals from community organizations in the province or region. These individuals should have had success and developed expertise in these different activity areas. Such teams would need to work closely with HRDC regional and national personnel to be effective.

A range of organizations, institutions and businesses need to be collaborating at the community level if skills training and access initiatives are to lead to skills portability and employment flexibility, and social inclusion for individuals, and improved service delivery opportunities for institutions within communities.