Basic employability skills, practical experience, flexibility, innovative thinking, and global business skills are critical core competencies of a modern manufacturing workforce – and will become even more important in the future.

At least 95% of companies responding to CME’s Annual Management Issues Survey should report satisfaction with the basic capabilities of their employees.

In order to achieve that goal, employees must possess the basic skills required to work in a responsible, innovative, highly flexible, and internationally networked business environment, and be able to take every opportunity to improve their capabilities, with respect to:

i. Basic Skills

Our Vision

• Employees and entrants into the workforce are equipped with the discipline, work ethic, integrity, decision-making, responsibility, and interpersonal skills required to secure and maintain long-term employment.
• Canada has a world-class education system, graduating people who are adept at reading, writing, mathematics, the sciences, and problem solving.
• Employees possess a mix of creative problem-solving capabilities, technical know-how, business skills, and an ability to interact with colleagues and customers.

Challenges

• Manufacturers are experiencing difficulties in finding and keeping employees with basic employability skills.
• Potential employees often lack the work ethic and personal responsibility required to play a constructive role in a modern manufacturing workplace.
• It can be difficult to find individuals with basic reading, writing, mathematical, thinking and decision-making skills.
• Attitudes frequently hamper productivity improvement.
• The discipline of employees in Canada is not up to the North American standard – let alone that of Europe, Japan, or Asia.
• Drug use is a widespread challenge to ensuring a reliable, responsible, and productive workforce.