Atlantic Prvinces Cmmunity Cllege Cnsrtium (APCCC) Rundtable n Imprving Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity In Atlantic Canada Appendix IV Literature Review
Cntact: Cyril Farrell Executive Directr Atlantic Prvinces Cmmunity Cllege Cnsrtium 5 Crmer Avenue PO Bx 413 Grand Falls-Windsr, NL A2A 2J8 Tel: 709-292-5625 Fax: 709-489-5765 Email: cyril.farrell@cna.nl.ca APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 44
Table f Cntents INTRODUCTION... 46 THE LITERATURE REVIEW... 47 LITERACY / UNDER-EDUCATION... 47 ISSUES...47 BEST PRACTICES...48 APPARENT OPPORTUNITIES...48 ABORIGINAL EDUCATION... 49 ISSUES...49 BEST PRACTICES...49 APPARENT OPPORTUNITIES...51 SEASONAL WORKERS / DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES... 51 ISSUES...51 BEST PRACTICES...52 APPARENT OPPORTUNITIES...52 IMMIGRATION NEEDS AND CONSTRAINTS... 52 ISSUES...52 BEST PRACTICES...53 APPARENT OPPORTUNITIES...53 APPLIED RESEARCH /INNOVATION; TECHNOLOGY ADAPTATION /ADOPTION; AND COMMERCIALIZATION... 54 ISSUES...54 BEST PRACTICES...56 APPARENT OPPORTUNITIES...57 GENERAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE ISSUES... 58 GENERAL BEST PRACTICES... 58 GENERAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES... 59 PILOT PROGRAM IDEAS... 59 DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS...59 RESEARCH...61 NEXT STEPS... 62 APPENDIX A -BIBLIOGRAPHY...63 APPENDIX B - ENDNOTES...66 APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 45
Intrductin This dcument cntains infrmatin that infrmed the first in a series f backgrund resurces that were circulated t participants in the Atlantic Prvinces Cmmunity Cllege Cnsrtium (APCCC) Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity in Atlantic Canada, held in Octber, 2005 in Memramck, New Brunswick. The participants at the tw-day Rundtable sessin included a slid crss-sectin f Atlantic Canada Cmmunity Cllege staff and members f prvincial and federal gvernments, departments and agencies, including plicy and prgram experts wh helped define a practical rle fr APCCC and its members within the tpics explred. (See Appendix I fr a cmplete list f participants). The riginal backgrund resurce, circulated in advance f the Rundtable, was specifically designed by the cnsulting team t trigger ideas in participants and ther key bservers frm bth within and utside f the Atlantic cmmunity cllege system s as t better prepare participants fr the Rundtable discussins. This dcument enhances the riginal backgrund resurce simply by adding cntextual infrmatin in the Intrductin Sectin s as t better supplement the main Rundtable reprt, which will supprt a brader audience. The Issue: Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity in Atlantic Canada Atlantic Canada s public cmmunity clleges are instrumental t the scial, cultural and ecnmic develpment f the Atlantic regin. These institutins have a key rle t play in imprving the regin s cmpetitiveness and prductivity. The Atlantic Prvinces Cmmunity Cllege Cnsrtium (APCCC) is a netwrk f clleges including Cllege f the Nrth Atlantic, Hlland Cllege, New Brunswick Cmmunity Cllege/Cllège cmmunautaire du Nuveau-Brunswick, Nva Sctia Cmmunity Cllege and the fllwing fur prvincial gvernment departments respnsible fr cmmunity clleges in the Atlantic regin: the Department f Training and Develpment f the Prvince f New Brunswick and the Departments f Educatin f each f the Prvinces f Newfundland and Labradr, Prince Edward Island and Nva Sctia. As such, the APCCC prvides a framewrk fr enhanced interprvincial cllabratin and cperatin amng cmmunity clleges in the Atlantic regin. The APCCC recgnized that there were a number f issues that impacted cmpetitiveness and prductivity in the Atlantic regin. In cncert with Atlantic Canada Opprtunities Agency (ACOA), the APCCC prpsed t identify practical appraches t imprving Atlantic Canada s ecnmy. Key Actin Areas It is the view f the APCCC that the cmpetitiveness and prductivity f business and industry is impacted by a number f issues including, but nt limited t: Literacy / Under-Educatin Abriginal Needs Seasnal Wrkers / Demgraphic Changes Immigratin Needs and Cnstraints Applied Research / Innvatin; Technlgy Adaptatin / Adptin; and Cmmercializatin APCCC recgnized that the extent t which these issues impact the ecnmic landscape f Atlantic Canada was nt readily available t decisin makers and pst-secndary institutins. It is the belief f the APCCC; hwever, that inherent in each f these issues are pprtunities t imprve the lives f Atlantic Canadians within the cntext f a vibrant ecnmy. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 46
Develpment f the Literature Review Apprximately fifty studies, strategies and reprts were reviewed t establish a base f issues affecting cmpetitiveness and prductivity within the five areas f interest utlined abve. Internet searches and references frm key stakehlders helped infrm the literature review list which included prvincial, reginal and natinal studies and discussin papers n immigratin, literacy, innvatin, abriginal issues and demgraphics. Relevant backgrund dcuments frm varius cnferences and reprts n educatin trends and educatin/training challenges affecting these areas f interest were als reviewed. The review fcused n the definitin f key issues. The issues were inventried by the cnsulting team wh then assembled a list f apparent pprtunities fr the cmmunity cllege system. Building n these identified pprtunities, an initial list f ptential prject ideas was develped thrugh further discussins with the Steering Cmmittee fr the prject, which included the Executive Directr f the APCCC and senir staff members frm the fur Atlantic cmmunity clleges, alng with ther key stakehlders. Fr purpses f stimulating discussin prir t and at the Rundtable sessin, each f the five actin areas were examined under the fllwing headings: Issues Best practices Apparent pprtunities T further supplement the identificatin f specific, targeted initiatives addressing the five actin areas, additinal supprt infrmatin was cmplied under the fllwing headings: General issues General best practices Pilt prgram ideas The Literature Review The fllwing sectins, including the appendices, cmprise the infrmatin circulated t participants and ther stakehlders as a resurce designed t supprt infrmed discussin at the Rundtable sessin. Key pints stemming frm the literature review relating t each f the five actin areas are identified belw. Literacy / Under-Educatin The research n literacy cnfirmed that this issue is f prime cncern t the cmmunity cllege system. The impact f students with lw literacy skills n the classrm envirnment has been dcumented. Additinally, yung adults with lwer literacy skills will be less likely t enter the cmmunity cllege system and therefre less able t psitively impact the ecnmy. Issues Adults with lwer literacy skills read less and participate less in the ecnmy. Illiterate students put added pressure n the cmmunity cllege system. Unemplyment, under-emplyment and literacy issues are related. Emplyers are nt yet encuraging emplyees t enhance their literacy and ther basic wrkplace skills. Many emplyers lack awareness f existing prgrams and suppliers f training. Teachers may have very little understanding f the challenges families face regarding literacy issues. Demand fr skilled wrkers cannt be filled unless we imprve the literacy f lder wrkers. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 47
It is difficult t track training investments since knwledge gained is an intangible asset until cnverted int prducts and services. Less than 10 per cent f Canadians wh culd benefit frm literacy upgrading prgrams actually enrl. 1 The AIMS 3 rd Annual Reprt Card n Atlantic Canadian High Schls fund that half f the 265 high schls assessed scred a C r C+ and less than 5% ranked an A r A+ grade. 2 The 1994-98 IALS shws that adults between the ages f 46-65 have lwer levels f literacy cmpared t adults between the ages f 16-45. Adults 55-64 years-ld als have lwer levels f educatin than 25-34 year-ld adults. 3 Best Practices Enhancing Family Literacy in Rural Atlantic Canada, Dr. Vianne Timmns, UPEI This prject fcuses n the develpment f a family literacy prgram specifically develped fr rural cmmunities. The prgram will als be duplicated in three Abriginal cmmunities in Prince Edward Island and Nva Sctia. 4 Parents, children, and teachers were interviewed using questins which revlved arund reading, cmmunity supprt, family supprt, and health. In pst reading assessment tests, eighty percent f the children shwed an verall imprvement ver the 10 week perid in varius reading aspects. Apparent Opprtunities Imprved curricula, instructinal and assessment methds fr adult literacy. 3 Investigate the HR develpment needs, including literacy requirements, f specific industrial sectrs. 3 When training, use learning cntexts, tasks, materials, and prcedures taken frm the future situatin (emplyment) in which the learner will be functining. Explre alternative delivery mdes fr literacy develpment using advanced learning technlgies. Prgram evaluatin: Numerus literacy initiatives have been intrduced, but they d nt appear t have been evaluated n a pan-atlantic basis. Assess prir learning and experience, particularly thse f immigrants, in rder t establish equivalent credentials. Awareness initiatives arund literacy may have implied csts fr managers and emplyees. Intrduce a wide range f effective wrkplace literacy strategies. Imprve literacy access by partnering with unins. Family literacy prgrams that imprve the literacy levels f multiple generatins. Encuraging parents t read t their children and prvide access t quality reading material can make a tremendus difference. Investigate pprtunities t build n the PEI Pilt prgram. The clser the match between mtivatin f students fr taking vcatinally riented curse, and getting a jb, the mre likely students are t cmplete the curse. Curses that are brief as well as strngly fcused might help increase cmpletin rates. Specialized preparatin in reading instructin fr primary teachers. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 48
Abriginal Educatin Abriginal educatin issues tuch many areas f cncern including under-educatin and seasnal wrkers. The literature indicates that there are many prvincial and federal initiatives which are attempting t address these issues, sme f which may prvide specific pprtunities fr cmmunity clleges t partner with r supprt lead agencies and departments. Issues The health and vitality f First Natin cmmunities is directly linked t the verall educatinal successes f its members, including culture and language cmpetencies. Only 32 % f reserve kindergarten children are graduating frm Grades 12-13. 68% f the schlaged ppulatin has less than a high schl educatin. 43% f students identified feelings f islatin r cultural marginalizatin as imprtant factrs influencing them t cnsider withdrawing frm studies. 6 Reserve unemplyment rate exceeds 50%; in sme it exceeds 75%. Scial assistance benefits and seasnal jbs are ften the main surces f incme n sme reserves. Abriginal students make up a disprprtinately small prtin f the science student bdies. Sme adults need transitin prgrams t help them t mve twards their career gals. Barriers include: Lack f preparatin fr university r cllege; Feelings f scial discriminatin, islatin, and lneliness at pstsecndary institutins; Difficulty meeting financial bligatins f pstsecndary educatin; Lack f respect fr Abriginal culture and cultural differences at the pstsecndary level; Family demands impsing financial and time restraints n pstsecndary educatin; and Lack f understanding f Abriginal issues by managers/emplyers. Abriginal graduates f health prgrams at the University f Manitba expressed significant levels f persnal stress while enrlled in pstsecndary studies - feelings f islatin, inadequacy, and discriminatin. Advanced educatin is usually lcated in urban areas, which requires leaving the abriginal cmmunity. N widespread research has islated the issues that are unique t Abriginal men r wmen, including Abriginal wmen with children, within the pstsecndary area. Little research has been devted t the prblems f day-care, husing, and relcatin csts fr Abriginal pstsecndary students. Challenges ften stem frm the need fr persnal and academic supprt netwrks. The develpment f resurce centers fr the active sharing f materials is required. Best Practices Amng prgrams r initiatives that were singled ut fr praise by stakehlders, cmmn characteristics included: 6 Cmmunity delivery, such as ffered thrugh the Teacher Educatin Prgrams; Transitinal supprt and supprt thrugh alternative admissins criteria; Academic and persnal supprt, such as that ffered thrugh the University f British Clumbia s First Natins Huse f Learning; and Supprt fr Abriginal cntrl f educatin, either at the prgram, curricular, r institutinal level. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 49
First Natins University f Canada ffers its university prgrams and services n three campuses - Regina Campus, Saskatn Campus and Nrthern Campus - as well as in First Natins cmmunities acrss Saskatchewan and Canada. Each campus ffers cultural and traditinal advising services thrugh the Elders. Universities, particularly St. Thmas University, the University f New Brunswick in Frederictn, as well as the Cape Bretn University in Sydney and Dalhusie University in Halifax, ffer curses n Mi kmaq and Maliseet language and culture, and frequently hst cnferences n Abriginal issues. 8 Wagmatck, Nva Sctia, and Eel Grund, New Brunswick, the bands are develping frestry prgrams fr members f their cmmunities. 8 Membertu, Nva Sctia, has develped mentrship training prgrams with several high prfile cmpanies such as Clearwater Fine Fds, Sdexh. 8 Tbique First Natin graduated 21 Abriginals frm six cmmunities in New Brunswick wh successfully cmpleted a 60-week intensive Micrsft Certified Systems Engineers training prgram. Eighteen f the graduates have full-time jbs. 8 Membertu ffered a similar cmputer curse in Octber 2002. Of the 50 cmmunity members enrlled, the great majrity are yuth. Curses and prgrams ffered by these First Natins institutes f higher learning are highly relevant and valued by First Natins cmmunities; these institutins prvide a supprtive learning envirnment and students are encuraged t persist and cmplete their curses/prgrams. 7 In New Zealand, Te Wänanga--Raukawa (TWOR), r University f Raukawa, was the cuntry s first private university-level institutin. It is a unique centre f higher learning devted t Märi knwledge. The methd f teaching at Te Wänanga--Raukawa is based upn knwledge and wisdm passed n by Märi ancestrs and is a hlistic apprach t learning and teaching. Curses are based n grup learning, r hui, rather than individual learning. The three cre subjects are Märi language, Iwi and Hapü studies, and infrmatin technlgy and telecmmunicatin. 6 Australia's Batchelr Cllege 6 - The Cllege has develped several strategies and pedaggies t assist in Abriginal success at the pstsecndary level. These include: Mixed-Mde Delivery: Batchelr Cllege s mixed-mde delivery allws respnse t the requirements f mature age students, including their family and ceremnial bligatins. The mixed mde f curse delivery supprts the cllege's bth ways philsphy f educatin, designed t prvide prgrams that supprt the respective Indigenus and Trres Strait Islander cultures. A pedaggy that seeks t recncile and use bth mainstream and Indigenus Australian cultures in its teaching methds and curse materials. Cmmunity Study Centers: The Cllege established a netwrk f Cmmunity Study Centers in ver 35 remte Nrthern Territry cmmunities. It has agreements with cuncils, schls, and clinics, which establish the basis under which the cllege utilizes lcally wned premises fr curse delivery/student supprt. The Remte Area Teacher Educatin (RATE) prgram facilitates discussin n culturally apprpriate teaching styles and curriculum fr students. 6 Access prgrams develped in Manitba Spnsrs university educatin t persns wh have traditinally nt had the pprtunity fr university educatin wing t scial, ecnmic, r cultural reasns r t a lack f frmal basic educatin. 6 The varius supprts ffered thrugh the Access prgrams include: 6 An extensive pre-university rientatin held fr students prir t fall classes APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 50
Individual academic advising Intrductin t university curses fr degree credit Tutrials Regular cnsultatin with academic advisrs Persnal supprt/cunseling Husing assistance Childcare assistance University/urban adjustment assistance Cmmunicatin and persnal develpment wrkshps Career cunseling University f Victria. In the First Natins Partnership Prgram, crdinated thrugh the University f Victria, student retentin and successful prgram cmpletin acrss the seven partnership prgrams is twice the natinal average fr Abriginal pstsecndary training. The Saskatchewan Indian Institute f Technlgies has run successful addictins wrkshps during lunch hurs. They als try t include spuses in student supprt activities. 6 Apparent Opprtunities Develp/enhance prgrams designed t prepare students fr the transitin frm cmmunity living t that f a pstsecndary student. Increase the presence f Abriginal staff and faculty. Leverage partnerships between Abriginal rganizatins, academia and gvernment that culd identify the skills gaps between industry demand and Abriginal supply. On-the-jb training culd be used t help fill thse gaps. Curses and prgrams develped in partnerships ffered in sme First Natins institutes f higher learning are highly relevant and valued by First Natins cmmunities. First Natins institutins ften prvide shrter term, emplyment riented training which assists individuals greatly in finding emplyment. 7 Curriculum develped thrugh a jint effrt by the abriginal cmmunities and the academic institutin. Fr example, in the develpment f successful Métis studies prgrams at Saskatchewan, a cmmittee was frmed with Elders, university persnnel, and leaders and experts in the Métis cmmunity. Partnerships between Abriginal rganizatins, academia and gvernment shuld fcus n identifying the skills gaps between industry demand and Abriginal supply and On-the-jb training shuld be used t help fill thse gaps. Seasnal Wrkers / Demgraphic Changes Seasnal emplyment was fund t be a cmmn Atlantic Canadian issue, especially amng yung adults. There is cnsiderable literature related t demgraphic challenges which are a cncern t all fur prvincial gvernments and the federal gvernment. It is clear that Atlantic Canada has particular challenges in this area. Issues Atlantic Canada s ecnmy is much mre seasnal than the rest f Canada a 12% seasnal variatin in emplyment cmpared with a 5% variatin natinally. A lw birth rate means the number f yung peple in the Atlantic regin will cntinue t decline, shrinking supply fr seasnal industries, especially in rural areas. Seasnal emplyment in Atlantic Canada is mstly rural. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 51
High seasnality in Atlantic Canada may be plicy induced. Plicies t increase turism, prtect the fishing industry, etcetera, may have the effect f increasing seasnality in Atlantic Canada. Many seasnal wrkers regard the EI prgram as a requisite frm f incme supprt. Sme seasnal wrkers find it difficult t adjust t an insurance-based EI prgram. Sme require retraining but first need basic educatin and literacy training. Seasnal wrkers are much mre likely t have lwer levels f educatin. A lack f educatin can als preclude these wrkers frm gaining alternative emplyment in ther industries. The fish and fish prcessing sectr accunts fr the largest prprtin f the estimated 122,000 seasnal emplyees in the Atlantic regin, with an estimated 26,500 seasnal wrkers. Turism related industries accmmdatin and fd services and culture and recreatin frm the secnd largest sectr with an estimated 26,000 wrkers. Cnstructin is the third largest sectr with an estimated 23,000 seasnal wrkers. Agriculture and frestry are highly seasnal, they are very small sectrs verall, each accunting fr less than 5,000 seasnal wrkers. 10 These industries are already examining alternatives such as temprary freign wrkers. 10 Seasnal wrkers tend t be lder than full-year wrkers. In Atlantic Canada, abut 42% f seasnal wrkers are 45 years r lder cmpared with 36% amng full-year wrkers. The need t imprve the skills and training f wrkers, bth seasnal and full-year wrkers, will cntinue as firms seek t cmpete in a knwledge-based ecnmy. 10 Best Practices APEC s analysis, alng with ther research, has clearly identified the rle f educatin levels in explaining seasnal emplyment and EI use. Strnger measures t encurage training by yung peple shuld be intrduced. Fr example, Denmark intrduced a yuth package in 1996. Yung peple under 25, wh d nt have frmal educatin r training, are required t enter educatin r training after six mnths f benefit but cntinue t receive benefits at half the nrmal rate. Apparent Opprtunities Recmmend changes t federal plicies that wuld enable access t funding fr thse nt attached t the Emplyment Insurance Prgram t supprt their enrlment in apprved training and educatin prgrams. The literature review uncvered a variety f references t apparent pprtunities perceived t be part f the mandate f the cmmunity cllege system. Career cunseling, literacy training were tw areas nted. Fr yunger wrkers, identify and implement specific measures t ensure a successful transitin frm high schl cmpletin t full-year emplyment. 10 Immigratin Needs and Cnstraints Immigratin is viewed by sme gvernments as ne way t address the frecasted wrker shrtages f the future. Available literature indicates that mst industries, even traditinally seasnal industries, are frecasting shrtages. The challenge will be t define an apprpriate rle fr cmmunity clleges, likely linked t the general pprtunities defined as gap training. Issues Natinally, immigratin will play an ever-increasing rle in Canadian labur frce grwth. By 2011, immigratin is expected t accunt fr virtually all f the net grwth in the Canadian labr frce 11 Between 1995 and 2003 the numbers f arrivals t Atlantic Canada drpped, impacting federal funding fr settlement agencies. Research shws that immigrants prefer t settle in urban centres. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 52
In 2001, nly 1.2% f Canadian immigrants came t Atlantic Canada, dwn frm ver 3% in the early 1970s (with mre than half f these heading fr Nva Sctia). Even in this regin, immigrants chse t settle in the cities. Halifax accunted fr 81% f the immigrants t Nva Sctia in 2001 and St. Jhn s accunted fr 72% f the immigrants t Newfundland and Labradr. 3 Immigrants face barriers regarding recgnitin f their qualificatins and internatinal wrk experience. Demgraphic prjectins frecast falling wrker cunts fr Atlantic Canada. Mst industries, including the fishery, are frecasting significant challenges finding wrkers in the near future. Sme prvinces like Manitba, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick perate extensive immigratin websites as attractin and integratin tls and emply staff h perfrm marketing, cmmunicatin, cnsultatin, applicant selectin, and strategic functins. 13 Glbalizatin trends are increasing the number f new immigrants wh are still mastering English. The challenge facing these individuals is nt simply t master technical skills; they ften lack the basic literacy skills needed t d cllege-level studies. Many f these students will learn English best within the cntext f technical educatin. 14 Immigrants have the pprtunity t take initial language assessments and classes thrugh English as a Secnd Language prgrams (ESL). Hwever, the minimum requirement fr success in a cmmunity cllege prgram wuld be at least a Level 8 ESL Immigrants ften lack the basic literacy skills needed fr cllege-level studies. Many f these students will learn English best within the cntext f technical educatin. Gaps in service exist with regard t ccupatin-specific, sectr-specific, and emplyment-specific language training; these gaps are limiting emplyment prspects. Research suggests that if newcmers take survival jbs, it becmes even mre difficult t reenter their riginal ccupatins. 11 Best Practices MISA and the NS Department f Educatin are currently cnducting a feasibility study, funded thrugh HRSDC, fcusing n the pssibility f establishing an internatinal credentials assessment service in Atlantic Canada. At present, there is n such agency in the Atlantic Regin. There are prvincially mandated services in Quebec, Ontari, Manitba, Alberta and British Clumbia. 11 The emplyer cmmunity needs a fcus pint t articulate their needs and expectatins. A mdel fr this can be fund in the Manitba Business Cuncil and in the current effrts f the Nva Knwledge Immigratin Cmmittee. 13 Apparent Opprtunities Target internatinal students fr immigratin because they knw the cmmunity, better understand the jb market, have graduated with recgnized credentials, and have acquired gd language skills 15 Clleges can: Cllabrate with educatin and research institutins such as the Atlantic Metrplis Centre/Centre Metrplis Atlantique, the Atlantic Institute fr Market Studies, and the Atlantic Prvinces Ecnmic Cuncil t undertake required research that is respnsive and suits the needs f gvernment and partners With the assistance f research institutins, develp research capacity t learn mre abut why immigrants stay r mve n. Immigratin-related research is needed t keep current n immigratin trends and pprtunities. 15 APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 53
Enhance prgrams t assist newcmers t learn hw t jb search and hw t be effective in a jb interview in Canada. Newcmers als need supprt services t help them understand the many cultural differences between wrkplaces in their birth cuntries and Canada. 11 Applied Research /Innvatin; Technlgy Adaptatin /Adptin; and Cmmercializatin The cmmunity cllege system is already invlved in applied research. The literature indicates that there are further pprtunities in this area that are well aligned with cmmunity cllege capabilities. A majr challenge is that the current research funding mechanisms appear t favur universities. The literature als indicates that pprtunities exist fr a pan-atlantic apprach t research in the cmmunity cllege system. Issues The needs f the Atlantic regin are tw-fld: t build industry capability t undertake applied R&D, and t increase industry s receptr capacity fr the innvatins develped by universities and ther institutes undertaking applied R&D in the regin. 16 Gaps in innvatin capabilities presently utweigh strengths and assets. In terms f the mst imprtant asset - peple - there are many challenges. There is a need t fster a culture f innvatin and entrepreneurship in the ppulatin at large. Atlantic Canada des nt have critical mass in many f its research and innvatin systems, infrastructure and industrial capacity are als limited. Therefre it is unable t access many natinal prgrams. Its leverage f ther investments frm existing federal prgrams is lacking. Industry funding is matched nly 6% as ppsed t 26% in the rest f the cuntry. 16 Atlantic Canada cmpanies invest less in research and develpment than the natinal average. There is a need t build greater industry capacity t undertake applied research and develpment and t increase industry s receptr capacity fr the innvatins resulting frm applied research and develpment in the regin. In 1998, Atlantic industry perfrmed $95 millin in R&D, and directly funded $89 millin, but was nly leveraged abut 6% f its applied R&D frm ther surces. By cmparisn, natinally, industry invested $6.8 billin in R&D and cnducted $9.1 billin, a leverage f 26%. 16 Agencies and researchers have scarce resurces and cmpete with each ther fr limited financial resurces. There is a lack f access t lng-term research funding. Entrenched bias exists scially and plitically twards a resurce-based ecnmy. Atlantic Canada requires bth an innvatin strategy and sustained investment in rder t accelerate innvatin in the regin s ecnmy. This presents a significant pprtunity. Thus, the greatest threat is t fail t articulate a slid and successful strategy that cnverts this recgnitin int success. There are prgrams and funds t assist with research chairs, innvatin infrastructure (Canadian Fundatin fr Innvatin) and strategic research (Natural Science and Engineering Research Cuncil and Natinal Research Cuncil), as well as increased university research, increased reginal innvatin (Atlantic Innvatin Fund), and investments in cmmunity develpment. 16 Several general categries within the innvatin and cmmercializatin prcess require a critical mass f investments. These include: Understanding, awareness, netwrking and attitude change; 16 Peple expertise and creativity; Knwledge transfer and disseminatin; Receptr capacity and capability; and Venture investments and a psitive re-investment climate. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 54
Ptential exists t prduce benefits t Canada frm innvatins in life sciences, bitechnlgy and health care. Barriers t success include a lack f access t lng-term research funding, lack f internatinally cmpetitive intellectual prperty prtectin, prlnged regulatry apprvals, inadequate supply f bitechnlgy scientists and health researchers. 17 Universities and clleges need t encurage crss-training and a multidisciplinary apprach t increase the cmmercializatin f envirnmental and clean energy technlgies. 17 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opprtunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis adapted frm Innvatin and Cmmercializatin in Atlantic Canada by Dr. Alan Crnfrd frm Gardner Pinfld Cnsultants Ltd. Published in March 2002: STRENGTHS Sme gd research labratries with physical infrastructure fr R&D. A few centres f excellence upn which t leverage develpment. Very gd agencies facilitating university/industry cllabratin in innvatin and design (AVC, GINI, Genesis and CCMC). A few applied R&D industry agencies facilitating innvatin and cmmercializatin services e.g. TARA. Untapped leverage pprtunities fr matching funding frm ther natinal prgrams. BARRIERS, WEAKNESSES & THREATS Lack f industry pull fr R&D & industry receptr capacity. Lack f entrepreneurial activity & innvatin in the culture. Brain drain and few innvatrs in the brain gain. Nt enugh industry/university agency activity thrughut regin facilitating innvatin and cmmercializatin services. Gaps in the innvatin prcess stages lacking sufficient activity. N reginal science cuncil t catalyze increased industry investment Limited means fr aggressively accelerating industry/university relatinships. Limited number f graduate level and Pstdctral Fellw prgrams t retain/attract gd graduates. Agencies & researchers have scarce resurces & cmpete with each ther fr limited financial resurces. Distance frm majr Canadian & US industrial/cmmercial centres. Weak ecnmy, especially in the knwledge-based industry sectr. Entrenched bias scially & plitically - twards resurce based ecnmy & limited experience with KBE. OPPORTUNITIES Sme prgrams assist with research chairs, innvatin infrastructure (CFI), increased university research (CURE), increased reginal innvatin (AIF), strategic research (NRC) and investment in cmmunity develpment. There may be additinal federal supprt fr cmmercializatin f university research, & adjustments t equalizatin payments t the regin. Up t 5% f federal granting agency R&D funding may be available t assist disseminatin f university research in t Canadian innvatin. A few gd leaders with visin. Opprtunities t build partnerships, fcus n strengths and build innvatin & cmmercializatin in a few target sectrs. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 55
Best Practices British Clumbia has invested in acquiring and retaining the best research peple wh can create and supprt pinnacles f strength. Via its Advanced Systems Institute, the prvincial gvernment prvides additinal supprt fr university research fellwships as well as funding fr university/industry research that is usually matched by incremental leveraged investments frm federal gvernment research prgrams. 16 Assciatin f University Technlgy Managers (AUTM) frm the United States tracks cmmercializatin f university research; Statistics Canada tracks ecnmic and R&D-related data. Organizatin fr Ecnmic Cperatin and Develpment (OECD) tracks innvatin capacity indicatrs. Amng these, there is sme cnsensus regarding best practices, and these prvide a few rules f thumb within the prcess. 16 In Atlantic Canada, industry applied research has been cnfined t a few cmpanies alng with a small number f agencies and university related institutes. TARA, AVC, GINI and a few thers have prduced successful ecnmic utcmes. They incrprate: 16 Strng applied research relatinships and netwrks University prfessr and student fellwships Applied research Lcal industry cmmercializatin and investment Numerus Atlantic entities are invlved in university/industry liaisn and disseminatin. In Nva Sctia (at r near Dalhusie University) agencies include NU-TECH, GINI, Dalhusie BiMed, Life Sciences Develpment Assciatin (LSDA), TARA, InNOVAcrp, and Genme Atlantic. In Newfundland, assciated with Memrial University, are Genesis, the Canadian Centre fr Marine Cmmunicatins (CCMC), the Canadian Centre fr Fisheries Innvatin (CCFI) and the Canadian Centre fr Cre Ocean Research (CCORE). In PEI there is the PEI Fd Technlgy Centre, AVC Inc. and Bivectra, and in New Brunswick there are several service centres fr research and develpment liaisn, including the Research and Prductivity Cuncil, Genie, and BiAtlantech. There are als numerus Federal research labratries. These represent areas f particular R&D strength in key sectrs, and they may be apprpriate centres f excellence arund which t develp clusters and partnerships with industry in rder t increase levels f applied R&D and t expand disseminatin capabilities. 16 The Gergia Research Alliance, which is a strategic partnership f the state s business cmmunity, gvernment and research universities emplys a variety f methdlgies t attract investment and jb creatin t the regin. 16 The GRA mdel has facilitated an 800% increase in research relatinships between universities and industry, venture capital investment with 10 times the investment levels that existed in 1995. 16 The Atlantic Prvinces have invested in a few incubatrs t facilitate small business develpment and university/industry relatinships. All have strng NRC/IRAP and Industrial Technlgy Advisr (ITA) linkages, as well as reasnably strng small business develpment, lan and investment prgrams, and sme tax-based prgrams. The University f Washingtn (UW), Simn Fraser University (SFU) and The University f Trnt Innvatins Fundatin all hst business plan cmpetitins. SFU s initiative is a prvince-wide business plan cmpetitin spnsred by New Ventures BC, and invlving SFU business schl prfessrs and lcal business executives. 16 Agriculture and Agri-Fd Canada (AAFC) has recgnized that much f this intellectual prperty has cmmercial value t entrepreneurs and the agricultural sectr. It was determined by the representatives f NRC-IRAP, ACOA and AAFC that there culd be a mre effective way t deliver a prgram that wuld develp the cmmercializatin ptential f agriculture research in Atlantic Canada. 18 The result was a plan fr a pilt prject t pr-actively identify cmmercial pprtunities with AAFC technlgies and intellectual prperty and frge linkages between scientists and lcal firms. Thrugh this initiative it was planned t generate a database f technlgies and expertise APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 56
at AAFC centres, use this t systematically link firms wh have the receptr capacity and ultimately cmmercialize these pprtunities. 18 The Institute fr Nutrisciences and Health (INH) was established in July, 2003 t becme the crnerstne f an Atlantic Canada knwledge-based biresurce cluster in Charlttetwn. The fcus f the INH will be the discvery, develpment and cmmercializatin f high-value biactive cmpunds fr human and animal health and nutritin, derived frm a diversity f renewable biresurces. 19 The fur key plicy themes cntained in the Advisry Cuncil n Science and Technlgy s recmmendatins are: 19 Seed-Stage Cmmercializatin Human-Capital Develpment Cmmunicatin and Shared Decisin Making Strategic Investments in Research Springbard (frmerly the Atlantic Research Cmmercializatin Netwrk) is anther example f the trend in research twards cllabratin. Springbard's aim is t encurage ecnmic grwth thrugh the cmmercializatin f university-based research and develpment. The netwrk hpes t have 18 technlgy transfer specialists wh will be gegraphically dispersed, based at the varius member institutins thrughut Atlantic Canada but will be accessible t all 13 f the universities in the netwrk. The experts will have a specialty area and will be able t assess whether a technlgy has cmmercial ptential. Specialists fr the regin will als be the generalist at their hst institutin 21 The netwrk is particularly beneficial t the smaller institutins which will have access t specialized staff services, training and funding prgrams similar t thse available at larger Canadian universities. The Indirect Csts Prgram 19 - Budget 2003 annunced a new permanent prgram t supprt the indirect csts assciated with research in institutins that receive funds frm any f the three federal granting agencies. The Canada Research Chairs Secretariat administers the Indirect Csts Prgram. The prgram als helps smaller institutins, which cannt benefit frm the ecnmies f scale realized by large institutins, t increase their research capacity. Apparent Opprtunities Investigate pprtunities fr research, develpment and innvatin within emerging sectrs in Atlantic Canada, including: aquaculture, bitechnlgy/pharmaceutical and medical technlgies and prducts, envirnmental industries, cean technlgy, il and gas and, infrmatin and cmmunicatins technlgies. 16 Capitalize n a variety f basic and applied research pprtunities in Atlantic Canada in areas like sftware, neurscience and genmics, functinal fds, netwrked supercmputers, wireless systems labs, ccupatinal health and safety, research int climate change and sil remediatin and bifilms, 20 fr example. Capitalize n existing physical and intellectual assets. Can federal labratries assist with cmmercializatin n behalf f industry? Pilts culd invlve labs at RCMP, Department f Fisheries and Oceans, Natinal Research Cuncil Military, Heath Canada, Agriculture, thers. Can clleges facilitate these brader partnerships? Develp university/cmmunity cllege system research partnerships and jint ventures. Wrk with university based cmmercializatin initiatives like Springbard. Undertake pilts that mre fully engage cmmunity cllege staff with business in specific applied research prjects. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 57
Braden the pan-atlantic agenda with industry partners with reference t research and develpment. Wrk t shift attitudes t a mre psitive alignment amng the fur prvinces and individual research institutes t make way fr partnerships and alliances that, tgether, create a critical mass f innvatin and cmmercializatin investment and activity. Develp a cmmn visin fr a culture f innvatin in the cmmunity cllege system. General Cmmunity Cllege Issues Many cmmunity clleges nw have multiple missins directed at addressing the needs and interests f a wide variety f cnstituencies. The list f missins includes transfer t a baccalaureate prgram, terminal ccupatinal educatin, develpmental educatin, adult basic educatin, English as a secnd language, educatin and training fr welfare recipients custmized training fr specific cmpanies, preparatin fr industry certificatin exams, nn-credit instructin in a plethra f areas (including purely vcatinal curses), small business develpment, and even ecnmic frecasting. 22 In additin t impacting cmpetitiveness and prductivity, the majrity f the five key areas f interest utlined in this dcument are als in the scial spectrum. What is the cmmunity cllege rle in determining scial plicy? Where is the line between scial plicy and revenue generatin? Is this an area where cmmunity clleges shuld play a rle? Mst cmmunity clleges fail t realize their bridging ptential. Many find it difficult t make the cnnectins between remedial and cllege-credit prgrams, between academic and ccupatinal degree prgrams and between degree prgrams and jbs that are necessary fr creating pathways f advancement fr disadvantaged students. It is bviusly expensive t serve disadvantaged students and yet cmmunity clleges tend t be prly funded. 23 Enrllment pressures - the prvincial systems have experienced dramatic increases in enrlment in recent years. This creates cmpetitive pressure fr the clleges and fr disadvantaged students. Hw shuld cmmunity clleges address transfer f credits fr vcatinal prgrams? 24 Abut 40 t 50 percent f all students wh enter cmmunity cllege must take at least ne develpmental educatin curse. In urban cmmunity clleges that serve lw-incme, lw-skilled adults, as many as 70 t 80 percent f students take develpmental curses. 14 Traditinal degree prgrams are nt designed t reflect the realities f life fr lw-skilled wrking adults, many f them with families. In cntent and apprach, cmmunity cllege remedial educatin resembles what many students were subjected t and turned ff by in high schl. 23 Cmmunity Clleges are nt able t directly change student academic preparatin, immigrant numbers, EI plicies that prmte seasnal wrk, etc. Is it realistic t think that Cmmunity Clleges can impact federal/ prvincial plitical decisins? What is a realistic gal fr this prject (the rundtable initiative)? General Best Practices The fact that cmmunity clleges have ecnmic develpment missins ften results in partnerships that g beynd advisry cmmittees r equipment dnatins. Fr example, new business incubatrs can prvide internships fr students and experience fr faculty, technical assistance prgrams can give faculty first-hand knwledge f new technlgies and changing skill requirements. 24 Reverse transfer peple wh already have cmpleted a fur-year university prgram but wh may want t acquire particular skills r change careers. A 1986 survey f presidents f 103 cmmunity clleges in Appalachia fund that 84 percent already slved technical prblems fr lcal businesses, 65 percent had partnerships t diffuse technlgy, 62 percent believed that a clearly defined rle in technlgy diffusin is essential, 55 percent believed that a dedicated ffice r center is essential. 12 APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 58
Austin Cmmunity Cllege (Texas) has taken up a state-wide challenge t clse the gap between the current rate f cllege enrlment and the prjected future need fr mre highly educated wrkers by prviding high schl students with a Cllege Cnnectin. 26 Successful appraches use fur strategies t pen up pathways frm multiple entry pints: Integrated Institutinal Structures and Services. 14 Accelerated Learning. Labr Market Payffs. Cmprehensive Supprts. Almst half f the students wh leave adult educatin d s because f nn-instructinal factrs, such as the lss f child care, a jb change, persnal r family illness, a change in husing, r transprtatin challenges. 14 Prgrams that incrprate academic and persnal supprt services as an essential cmpnent are needed. Web based system f access t the cllege thrugh which students will be able t pst their persnal academic plans and gals, see their prgress, and decide what t d next. A study by Kevin J. Dugherty and Marianne F. Bakia in the Cmmunity Cllege Research Center Brief f January 2000 called The New Ecnmic Develpment Rle f the Cmmunity Cllege fund that new ecnmic develpment prgrams can be gruped under three main headings: 40 Cntract training: imprving the jb and academic skills f current r prspective emplyees by prviding training under cntract t emplyers r gvernment agencies. Small business develpment: assisting new and existing small businesses t mdernize their prductin technlgies, imprve their management and marketing, cmpete fr gvernment grants and cntracts, and secure facilities and administrative assistance at lw cst. Lcal ecnmic-develpment planning: wrking with lcal ecnmic develpment agencies t retain existing industries and attract new nes. 40 Shuld cmmunity clleges simply react t labr market and student demands r shuld they be practive and try t influence firms behavirs and students chices? 24 The reactive clleges survey labr market trends and emplyer needs and then rient prgrams twards thse trends and needs. The practive clleges anticipate needs based n patterns f technlgical changes and knwledge f current best practices and then acts as systems integratr and mdernizer by prviding a wrk frce prepared fr the future. Clleges histrically have been reactive, but the new ecnmy is increasingly lking t clleges t be catalysts fr imprvement within firms. 24 General Cmmunity Cllege Opprtunities Is there a new senirs market? Cllege-educated peple wh have been in careers and are ready fr a change, but nt fr retirement. Lwer wage wrkers with little r n cllege educatin wh als need a change. Peple, wh at the end f successful careers, have sufficient retirement incme and little interest in pursuing new careers, but have a strng interest in educatin as recreatin. 27 Pilt Prgram Ideas This idea list is designed t stimulate discussin. Sme may already be in place. We lk t bservers t add thers. Demnstratin prjects Literacy Crdinatr / Educatr This can be dne as a specializatin in year 2 fr any Human Services Prgram r as a certificate add n t any Early Childhd Educatr / Teaching Assistant/Child and Yuth Care / Addictins / etc prgrams. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 59
Vcatinally Fcused ESL These prgrams shuld be fr immigrants with training in their wn field but n English/French language. This Vcatinally Fcused ESL culd als be a lead in t further diplma level training in the same area. Gap Training Training fr immigrants t bring skilled wrkers up t Canadian standards r t give them wrk experience in Canada. This culd be fcused n industries with the largest actual r prjected labur shrtages. This wuld have t be crdinated with credentialing authrities s that if smene passes this curse they autmatically are accepted t wrk in their field in Canada, r their wait time is much reduced. Jb Search Training This can be a certificate prgram t teach immigrants hw t cmplete effective jb searches, netwrking, resumes, interviews etc in Canada. There culd be cmpnents where they learn abut prfessinal assciatins, regulatry bdies fr specific industries t further their emplyment pssibilities. Internships culd be cnsidered. Hmeland Security Althugh this is an American term, additinal training mdules culd be added nt the Plicing and Security prgrams currently available. These culd fcus n custms, airprt security, even biterrrism cleanup. Seasnal Wrker Upgrading This wuld be a cmbinatin f the upgrading fr lw skill / lw literacy, jb search, gap training prgrams. This culd be fcused n industries with the largest actual r prjected labur shrtages. Each prvince will have different areas f cncern and fcus. The imprtant part f this wuld be hw t recruit yung seasnal wrkers int the prgrams befre they get t dependent n the EI / Seasn cycle. This culd als be fr lder wrkers wh are lsing their seasnal emplyment due t industry restructuring / lack f demand. Again, recruitment will be the critical issue. Adult Educatin Upgrading These prgrams are needed fr lw literacy / lw skilled English / French speakers. They culd be cndensed, vcatinally fcused and cver real life jb skills, literacy, business math, writing, etcetera. The gal wuld be t bring lw skills up t the level where peple culd enter cllege t cntinue training r find better emplyment. Lab Assistant, Research Assistant Prgram SpringBard ffers assistance fr smaller institutins withut access t majr R&D funding etc. The trick is t find a niche and partners. Ptential specialty culd be in bilgy, marine, chemistry, bitech, and etcetera. Abriginal Training Curses that are needed within an Abriginal cmmunity include Early Childhd Educatin, Teacher s Assistant, Business, Entrepreneurship, plicing, healthcare (hmecare, addictins, cunseling) service industries (autmtive repair, hairdressing etc. The classes wuld be taught in the cmmunity (internet based?), nt at the urban campuses. Abriginal Curriculum Partnerships wuld have t be made with the lcal cuncils t develp and teach these curses. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 60
Research A review f current pilts Rather than trying t generate new ideas fr research, cnduct a review f all the current pilt prjects fr each f the 5 areas f interest in Atlantic Canada and determine if any current pilt prject wuld benefit frm a Phase 2/3/4 apprach. Survey seasnal wrkers and develp strategy Survey a sample f yung seasnal wrkers regarding why they entered seasnal emplyment, what wuld make them leave it, which industries in each prvince were mst attractive t yung seasnal wrkers, and develp a strategy t attract these yung peple ut f the seasnal life. Use this strategy t run pilt emplyment / skills upgrading training prgrams in each prvince. Assess success. Build partnerships with universities Survey universities n where they are lacking specific lab space, resurces, specific research skill sets, etcetera, and lk t build partnerships with universities t meet these needs frm within the cmmunity cllege system. Fr example, maybe students in the Child and Yuth Care r Early Childhd Educatin prgrams can assist Child Psychlgy researchers as part f the On the Jb Training prtin f their prgram. Abriginal research and pilt Cnduct a review f Abriginal Pst Secndary Educatin (PSE) withdrawals t determine why they left the system and what supprts and incentives wuld bring them back in and what wuld have kept them in. Develp a pilt supprt prgram based n research findings and implement that with the next intake f abriginal students. Assess the impact f pilt prgram n withdrawal rates t determine if the supprt system actually made a difference ver 5 and 10 years. Manitba s Access Prgram culd be cnsidered as a template. Immigrant services Cnduct a survey f immigrant PSE students regarding hw they chse Atlantic Canadian universities and clleges, hw difficult the visa prcess was, whether they wuld be interested in staying after cmpletin f their educatin, and what supprts r incentives wuld they need t stay. Predetermine literacy prgram Cnduct a literacy assessment f students in elementary / junir high t determine hw far behind the ptential grads f 2010/2015 are in literacy skills already. Determine what supprts can be put in place withut changing the funding fr elementary and junir high educatin. Determine what additinal specialized educatin teachers shuld have t deal effectively with thse students that are behind. A lngitudinal study fllwing the same chrt culd be a useful methdlgy. Emplyer Literacy partnership Survey emplyers n what resurces (time, space r mney) they wuld be willing t dnate t upgrade the literacy r basic skills f their emplyees. Track this by industry, business size /success, wners / manager s wn educatinal levels. D emplyers with university degrees see upgrading as mre imprtant than managers / wners with less educatin? Try a pilt prgram with emplyers t imprve literacy levels fr emplyees already n the jb. APCCC Rundtable n Cmpetitiveness and Prductivity Literature Review 61