Toronto, ON – September 17, 2024 – KnowMeQ, a leading provider of science-validated assessments and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for workplace upskilling and lifelong learning, today released results from a skills assessment it conducted on behalf of NGen’s Future Ready program which found that the Canadian manufacturing workforce does not have the requisite level of reading, numeracy and digital competency skills to meet the demands of most jobs in modern, industrialized countries. The benchmarking is possible through KnowMeQ’s Skills for Success assessments, which adhere to international standards developed and defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
NGen, a non-profit pan-Canadian organization, is charged with leading Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing. More than 900 employees from 115 manufacturing companies completed KnowMeQ’s Skills for Success assessments in March 2024. The industry assessment provides organizations with identifiable ways of upskilling employees to address rampant skills shortages and improve productivity which is critical to Canada’s economic growth and stability.
“Canadian manufactures are experiencing tremendous disruption. They need to incorporate new advanced technologies, implement sustainable practices, and navigate shortages in skilled workers,” said Stewart Cramer, Chief Manufacturing Officer at NGen. “Upskilling and reskilling the workforce is essential to the health of our sector. In partnership with KnowMeQ, we demonstrated key tools that can help manufacturers design skills interventions which enable growth and competitiveness.”
The OECD uses levels to classify work-related reading, numeracy and digital competency skills. Level three is considered to mark the minimum level of proficiency required for workers to independently thrive in modern, knowledge-based economies. Workers whose skill assessments fall below level three do not meet standards for most jobs in modern, industrialized countries.
Specifically, KnowMeQ’s Skills for Success assessments found that when it comes to the Canadian manufacturing workforce:
- Reading: half of workers were assessed to be below level three, with 18 per cent in level one and 32 per cent in level two.
- Numeracy: 43 per cent were assessed to be below level three, with 11 per cent in level one and 32 per cent in level two.
- Digital: Zero workers were assessed at a level three proficiency, with 96 per cent in level two.
Level two falls below the minimum level of proficiency for individuals to operate, understand and engage with materials independently. These individuals require more oversight to perform tasks error-free. Level one includes persons whose literacy and numeracy skills range from emergent to introductory, requiring significant, focused instruction to avoid much higher error rates at work.
“A team is only as fast as its slowest runners, so ensuring employees meet baseline metrics of a modern workforce is paramount for future success,” said Matt Foran, CEO, KnowMeQ. “Increasing scores in reading, numeracy and digital competencies reduces error rates and unlocks career advancement while addressing Canada’s urgent productivity challenges.”
However, there is reason for optimism. The assessment also found that the Canadian manufacturing workforce has a high degree of overall adaptability. Industry workers scored an average of 87 per cent across six key domains including problem solving, crisis handling, work stress and cultural, interpersonal and physical adaptability. This translates into a highly trainable workforce that would respond positively to upskilling provided organizations invest to ensure this outcome.
There is a clear need for skilled talent across roles in the domestic manufacturing sector. The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association has identified labour and skills shortage as the most pressing challenges facing manufacturers today that is costing Canada billions of dollars in economic losses each year.
NGen’s Future Ready worker up-skilling program was funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, as part of a sectoral workforce solutions program.
Visit www.KnowMeQ.com to learn more about KnowMeQ’s workforce diagnostic & up-skilling assessment tools. and follow KnowMeQ on LinkedIn.
About KnowMeQ:Founded in 2020, KnowMeQ is the leading artificial intelligence (AI) enabled, web-based workforce diagnostic and up-skilling assessment tool that identifies real skill gaps to make predictive decisions to improve workforce skill, performance and agility. Its Organizational Wisdom Engine is the first workforce HR solution to provide science-validated Adaptability Quotient scores helping forward-thinking businesses to identify and retain talent. KnowMeQ’s AI-Accelerated Credit for Prior Learning is a proprietary, first-of-a-kind tool designed specifically to support postsecondary enrolment and foster rapid, accredited worker upskilling experiences.
About NGen:NGen is the industry-led, non-profit organization leading Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing. One of five national networks supported by Canada's ambitious Global Innovation Clusters Initiative.