Canadians must have the opportunity to continually upgrade their skills and capabilities. Canada’s businesses must be able to rely on an immigration system that enhances their capability to access the skilled people they need. Canada’s immigration system must be employed more effectively to enable economic development. In addition, human resource practices must facilitate the attraction and retention of skilled and experienced employees, and the continuous improvement of employee capabilities.

The following chapters of this report summarize the vision, challenges, and recommendations for action identified in CME’s Manufacturing 20/20 discussions with regard to five issues that are crucial to preparing the manufacturing workforce of the future:

  1. Image and Careers in Manufacturing;
  2. Basic Workforce Requirements;
  3. Securing the Skills Base;
  4. Immigration; and,
  5. Employment Practices.
CME will use the following benchmarks to monitor progress toward meeting our goal:
Benchmark Current Status 2020 Objective
• Manufacturing workforce under 45 years of age. 64% of employees 75% of employees
• Satisfaction levels with basic capabilities of employees. 66% of manufacturers responding to CME’s Annual Management Survey 95% of manufacturers responding to CME’s Annual Management Survey
• Ability to find skilled employees. 77% of manufacturers responding to CME’s Annual Management Survey 95% of manufacturers responding to CME’s Annual Management Survey
• Investment in formal and informal skills training. 2.5% of payroll as reported in CME’s Annual Management Issues Survey 5% of payroll as reported in CME’s Annual Management Issues Survey
• Ability to retain qualified personnel 80% of manufacturers responding to CME’s Annual Management Survey 95% of manufacturers responding to CME’s Annual Management Survey