Supply Chain Labour Market Information Updated: Will Enable Accurate Forecasting Down to the Local Level

February 20, 2009, Mississauga, Ontario – The Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council (the CSCSC) has responded to the needs of stakeholders with an update of labour-market information (LMI) achieved through a process developed to ensure that an accurate picture of the sector’s human resources is consistently captured in the future.

In a sector study completed in 2005, stakeholders identified the need to collect and monitor LMI as a high-priority action item. As a first follow-up step, the CSCSC completed a phase I LMI project in 2007 to gather input from the sector about the types of LMI that were most required. Two further LMI-related projects resulted: a phase II project, through which LMI tools are being developed for use by stakeholders, and the LMI-update and NOC-awareness project through which labour-market data has been updated to reflect the current state of the sector.

The 2005 study used data from the 2001 Canadian Census and a ratio, developed by Industry Canada, applied to an aggregate of the total labour market for the 26 NOC (National Occupational Classification) codes considered to comprise the sector. Through its LMI-update project, led by RDA Global, the CSCSC has defined the ratio used in the sector study and applied it to recent Labour Force Survey data to establish current statistics for the sector. Based on recent data, the sector now employs 732,000 Canadians, up from the 701,880 people estimated to work in the supply chain in 2004.

The new LMI-update process will enable an understanding of trends, overall and by occupation, on a national, regional or local level, and provide an accurate baseline in terms of labour supply that firms and educators can use for forecasting purposes. On a larger scale, the data can also be used in addressing issues related to inter-provincial mobility and labour-market transitions, for example.

NOC-Awareness Workshops
A second component of this project is aimed at boosting the use of NOC codes by the sector’s employers in their HR-management activities. Three information sessions will be held across Canada, as follows:
• Moncton – Wednesday, March 11
• Calgary – Wednesday, March 18
• Mississauga – Thursday, March 19

The Government of Canada’s NOC system provides a foundation for improving HR practices in the supply chain sector. Although the system is used regularly by many people as they compile, analyze and communicate information about occupations, awareness of the system is still relatively low. The CSCSC’s information sessions will highlight the benefits and encourage the use of NOC codes, which can be used, for example, by employers to:
• Write job descriptions
• Develop performance measures and evaluation programs
• Develop recruitment campaigns and retention strategies
• Identify training requirements

To participate in one of these information sessions, register with Margie Stefanich, by calling
905-897-6700 or 1-866-616-3468 or emailing mstefanich@supplychaincanada.org.