Halseth, Greg

Markey, Sean

Morris, Marleen

Ryser, Laura

Memorial University Research Repository

A Community Development Approach to Prosperous Labour Force DevelopmentGreg Halseth, Laura Ryser, Marleen Morris, & Sean MarkeyCRRF October 10-12th, 2018Saskatoon, SaskatchewanOutlineIntroductionPlace / region in a global economyUnderstanding change / contextLabour force development- Goals- ProcessesDiscussionIntroduction I• Most labour force development debate is focused on the “economic” side of ledger– Industry demand in short / near term future– Training / skills upgrades of adults to fit demand• Useful for ‘plugging’ gaps• Fails to support the type of workforce rural places need to be successful in the futureIntroduction II• Community development approach– Understand place / region in the global economy– Understand trajectories of change– Long-term view to supporting resilience as foundation for flexibility and success (prosperity)• Goal– We are seeking resilient and sustainable communities, economies, and environmentsPlace / Region in the Global Economy IWhile a ‘globalized’ economy is nothing new, somethings are new:• Pace of change is accelerating• Global ‘interconnections’ increasing / increasingly complex• Booms come faster; busts go deeper• Industry is global (compete for them; compete for share of jobs)Common issues affecting OECD non-metropolitan areas:• Population aging– Resource frontier aging / youth out-migration• Limited resource economy base• Social, political, economic restructuring• Service closure / withdrawal• Outdated governance structures– ‘Invisibility’ in national debates• Distance / remoteness• Aging infrastructurePlace / Region in the Global Economy II• The community development – economic development challenge:– If capital can be “anywhere”…. Why would it invest in your place / region• Response:– Place-based approaches to community and economic development– Focus upon re-imagining & re-bundling our assets to create new competitive advantage that fits with ouraspirationsPlace / Region in the Global Economy IIIUnderstanding Change & Context: Economy IDevelopment history:• Post war ‘resource frontier’:– Coordinated public policy initiatives to stimulate industrialization of remote resource opportunities– Create employment and robust small town economies– Create finance / commerce / management hubs in urban centres– ‘Long boom’ of 1950 to 1980Understanding Change & Context: Economy II• 1980s resource commodity recession– Focused on resource regions in the global economy• Pressures since:– International trade agreements– Trade globalization– Low cost production regions• Resource industries are concentrating• Technology is labour sheddingUnderstanding Change & Context: DemographicsUnderstanding Change & Context: DemographicsUnderstanding Change & Context: Pathways Forward• Across rural Canada, the community & economic development message is very clear:– Economic development that not only creates jobs, but respects people, the environment, and our quality of life• Four bottom lines:– Culture– Community– Economy– EnvironmentLabour Force Development: A Community Development Approach IContext:• Ongoing global economic change– Need for flexibility of skills across labour force• Resource frontier aging– In the old economy:• Opportunities related to older workers• Opportunities related to younger replacement workers– In the new economy:• Opportunities for work that we can imagine• Opportunities for work that we cannot yet imagine• Goal:– A learning workforce• Time:– Change time horizons from 6 month training programs to a generation long support for the next learning workforce– 1980 to 2018 period of economic restructuring spanned more than 1.5 generations in time• Community development focus:– Invest in the economy– Invest in the society– Support an environment for innovative approachesLabour Force Development: A Community Development Approach II• Healthy moms with healthy pregnancies• Support for elders• Early childhood programming• Success by six programming• Investments in elementary & high schools to connect families / communities– Especially in developing teaching technologies so students can access full range of curriculum opportunities• Investments in bridging, internship, apprenticeship programs• Investments in lifelong learning structures and programsLabour Force Development: A Community Development Approach III• In 20 years, rural Canada would have a learning workforce– Critical element to revitalize in today’s global economy• But:• Must be matched by infrastructure investments– Communication– Transportation– Social– Recreation– Cultural• If workers can “work anywhere, live anywhere”…. Why would they live in your communityLabour Force Development: A Community Development Approach IVDiscussion• Current approaches are limited in scope and thinking• Community development can broaden scope and thinking• All community development work takes time– But it is critical to get started nowOur Team• Greg Halseth (greg.halseth@unbc.ca)– Geography Program– Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies– Co-Director, UNBC Community Development Institute• Laura Ryser (laura.ryser@unbc.ca)– Research Manager, Rural and Small Town Studies• Marleen Morris (marleen.morris@unbc.ca)– Co-Director UNBC Community Development Institute• Sean Markey (spmarkey@sfu.ca)– Resource & Environmental Management, SFU

A Community Development Approach to Prosperous Labour Force Development

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A Community Development Approach to Prosperous Labour Force Development

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