Diversity of the workforce creates new challenges and opportunities for employers and trainers. If the Canadian labour market is going to meet these needs and expectations, it must function with increasing effectiveness. No single player in the Canadian labour market or economy is capable of creating a context to improve global competitiveness. Together, these groups can create the conditions necessary for individual Canadian firms to be competitive, and for all Canadians to be able to participate more effectively in the labour market. Every day, the value of strategic alliances is being proven in more than twenty sectors of the Canadian economy.
Sectoral cooperation can improve international competitiveness for all sectors.
The Canadian approach to sectoral cooperation has been developed by concerned labour and management volunteers from a number of industries, frequently with support from Human Resource Development Canada. A strategic management framework is used to identify the current and future requirements for human resource development that will enable the sector to become more globally competitive. Sector Councils are usually run by volunteers, often with support from Human Resource Development Canada. Their overall goal is to improve the quality of the Canadian labour force, and to assist firms to be more flexible in meeting changing competitive demands. By bringing together corporate executives, owner-operators of smaller firms, employees, union leaders, educators and interested government representatives, Sector Councils provide a practical perspective on change.