feature/productivity
CANADIAN HR STRATEGY/21
to thrive, Canadian companies need to step up to be the pri-
mary drivers," says Porter.
"Canada is fortunate to have some of the best-educated
young people in the world. Nevertheless, the above-average
youth unemployment rate re ects, in part, a disconnect be-
tween the skills of many graduates and the needs of their fu-
ture employers."
The connection between the skills gap and Canada's labour
labour productivity has lagged behind our peers globally for
some time. In some ways, it's Canada's Achilles' heel."
To address the issue, both the government and private sector
need to examine innovation and skilled labour, says Porter.
More and more employers — in every industry — are swim-
ming in the same talent pool, he says. The focus needs to shift
towards developing talent and nurturing innovation.
"While governments can create the conditions for innovation
