Magnet Network Live On The Pod

Dr. Curtis Clarke joins us to discuss the urgent need to adopt new models of learning. Dr. Clarke has served in Alberta Public Service roles, including Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, K-12 Education, and Solicitor General. He was also Assistant Deputy Minister of Alberta Correctional Services and Cabinet Policy Coordinator. Clarke shares what the emergence of mid-career learners means for education and what’s wrong with the “learn and pray” model educational institutions have relied on traditionally.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Adaptive models of learning need to meet students, especially mid-career learners, where they are. Universities need to consider how they can assess a learner’s competencies and make informed recommendations for future learning.
2. Through curriculum co-development alongside industry partners, learners can engage with sectors that are part of the workforce they will move into.
3. Policy structures have tied university funding to the ability to attract students, but changing dynamics need to incentivize building partnerships that better serve students of all backgrounds. 
Hosts: Jeremy Strachan

Paul Jenkins joins us to discuss how businesses can better prepare for the economic shifts caused by technological disruption. Jenkins is a former Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada. Jenkins explains why risk management structures are essential for business resilience in the face of rapid technological change and advancement, and says Canada needs to invest more heavily in digital skills training to avoid falling behind other nations.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. History shows it can take decades for the effects of technological change to be fully felt. In Jenkins’ view, we are “not even close” to the point where the digital revolution reaches its peak.2. Businesses need to invest in both attracting new talent and upskilling existing talent to ensure they’re able to remain competitive and adapt to new technological developments in the future.
Host: Maggie John

Krista Pawley joins us to discuss how digital platforms can remove barriers and create greater access to opportunities for students.  Krista Pawley is a tri-sector leader who connects people and organizations across 56+ countries to catalyze sustainable, inclusive impact. She co-founded Wavemakers, the first national Work-Integrated Learning program using Virtual Reality, and founded Imperative Impact. Pawley shares her thoughts on how digital platforms like Wavemakers can equip students with vital skills for a rapidly changing job market by removing barriers to meaningful work experiences.  
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Through tools like virtual reality and partnerships with equity-deserving communities, Wavemakers creates inclusive and welcoming environments, ensuring that students can bring their whole selves into their experiences.2. By designing digital tools with a focus on belonging and inclusion, Wavemakers harnesses technology to create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach, removing geographical and financial barriers. 
Host: Maggie John

Doug Walker joins us to discuss the role of technology in helping SMEs achieve their full potential. Doug Walker is a veteran of the Canadian technology industry and a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University. His career began at IBM, followed by leadership roles in SMEs and global enterprises. Doug served as President of Silicon Graphics Canada (which acquired Cray Computing) and CEO of Alias Systems and BitTorrent. He co-founded WhoPlusYou with Joanne Rusnell (COO) and Al Lopez (CPO). Walker shares why SMEs aren’t connecting with the support the government makes available, why one size fits all solutions don’t work for Canada’s economy, and what he’s learned from the 70,000+ businesses using Magnet.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. SMEs are in survival mode and don’t have the time or resources to access support, even when it’s available. Technology needs to play a role in streamlining how SMEs identify and access funding, training opportunities, etc. 2. Canada has traditionally taken the approach of spreading SME support across several buckets and programs. Walker advocates for comprehensive support programs that combine training, funding, and labour market information.3. AI isn’t just about making things go faster. For businesses, we need to consider how AI can be used for very specific purposes to boost their outcomes.

Dr. Marketa Evans joins us to discuss how colleges can better support students’ career pathways. Dr. Evans is President and CEO of Colleges Ontario, representing Ontario’s 24 public colleges. She was previously Vice President at Colleges and Institutes Canada, overseeing federal relations and advocacy. Dr. Evans shares how Ontario colleges can adapt to rapid technological changes in the workforce. 
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Colleges can make changes to teaching and learning to keep up with the rapid changes in the labour market. 2. Colleges are inherently set up as career-focused institutions, and their strong partnerships with employers and businesses helps them offer courses that meet the skills needs of employers. 3. Colleges are an affordable option for students to learn new skills and access experiential learning that will help make them more career-ready. 
Host: Maggie John

Ashley Dunlop joins us to discuss Economic Development Winnipeg’s (EDW) pioneering efforts to harness cutting-edge technology to enhance impact in Manitoba. Ashley Dunlop is the Director of Talent and Workforce Development at EDW. Dunlop shares the role technology has played in making talent recruitment more efficient and effective in Manitoba, the importance of newcomer recruitment, and how efforts in these areas led to EDW being awarded the first ever Technology Trailblazer Award at Magnet Network Live.

Strac Ivanov joins us to explain why job postings are a useful and instructive source of labour market information. Ivanov is the founder and President of Vicinity Jobs, a Canadian economic development and business intelligence technology company. Ivanov explains how a four-fold increase in the number of online job postings has created a wealth of data that can be used to help understand and illuminate the skills employers are typically looking for, as well as the collective skill sets that help job seekers find work.
Highlights from our conversation include:
1. Regarding AI’s impact on the job market, Ivanov said job postings show a shift away from skills in AI development to skills with AI use, indicating that current, applicable knowledge of these tools has become more important in finding employment.2. Post-secondary institutions can utilize data from job postings to ensure programs and classes remain relevant and that graduates are employable.
Host: Maggie John