Putting the pieces together: Toward a coherent transition system for Canada's labour force

Local and national employment opportunities databases

We recommend that the Canadian Labour Force Development Board (CLFDB) initiate the establishment of a national employment opportunities database - an instant electronic listing of job opportunities filed by employers. Building from local databases, all job opportunities in the country would be listed along with details about skills and competencies expected.

Establishing the database would entail:

design of a standard computer template to record information;
design of local multi platform computer networks;
definition of hardware specifications;
design of a template to record job information and the necessary on-line "help" support; and
preparation of information for employers on how to use the system and the necessary occupational and industrial classifications.

Employers may still use other ways to reach potential job applicants, such as newspaper ads or placement agencies. The proposed system does not imply that placement should be an exclusive function of a public employment service, but rather that information about job opportunities should be widely disseminated.

Table 5. Using local and national employment opportunities databases

Employer's role	Individual's role	Public Service's role
Record job information, using a standard template, either directly on the computer network or through telephone lines Withdraw job information as soon as it ceases to be relevant	Retrieve job information at access points Follow information, assess own qualifications, and apply for advertised jobs	Provide access to information to job seekers through the Canada Employment Centres Make the system available through regular phone lines to employers who are not equipped with appropriate computer linkage