Employer-Sponsored Training: A Missed Opportunity
Research from the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum shows that for every dollar invested in training, employers can see returns on accuracy, efficiency, and safety improvements — in some cases more than $1.38 in benefits.
A Future Skills Centre report on employer-sponsored training in Canada finds that many employers — especially small and medium-sized businesses — are not investing enough in training and upskilling. When they do, it’s often narrowly focused on immediate operational needs, like onboarding or safety, rather than broader foundational skills that boost productivity and adaptability. Future Skills Centre+1
This limited investment leaves many workers — and companies — behind, especially when jobs and technologies are changing faster than ever.
Why Foundational Skills Training Isn’t Just “Nice to Have” — It’s a Smart Investment for Employers
In today’s rapidly changing world, the skills a team brings to the table matter more than ever. While technical know-how gets a lot of attention, there’s a quieter but powerful force behind successful organizations: foundational skills – reading, writing, numeracy, digital and communication skills. These five skills, along with collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, creativity and innovation, make up Canada’s nine Skills for Success. The skills everyone needs to be successful at work!
Skills Gaps Are Real — and They’re Costing Employers
Recent research shows that many Canadian workers — nearly half of working-age adults — struggle with foundational skills at levels needed for today’s jobs. That’s not just an individual challenge; it affects productivity, safety, confidence, and team performance. Benefits Canada.com
When employees have stronger reading, writing, numeracy, communication, and digital skills:
- They complete tasks more accurately and efficiently
- They adapt more quickly to change
- They communicate better with colleagues and customers
- They have higher confidence and job satisfaction — which often means lower turnover
- Their workplace becomes safer and less error-prone
Why Foundational Skills Training Works — and How to Start
Foundational skills training is practical, relevant and can be delivered in ways that fit any business:
- Workplace-embedded learning: short, targeted training sessions that employees can take during the workday
- Partnerships with community literacy providers: bring experts in when needed without building internal capacity from scratch
- Micro-learning and modular training: focused lessons on reading workplace documents, digital tools, numeracy tasks like measurements or schedules, or communication skills
Most importantly, foundational training doesn’t just improve one task — it unlocks the ability to learn and perform other skills. It builds a workforce that can keep up with change and drive change.
A Win-Win for Employers and Employees
When workers gain foundational skills:
- Employers benefit through higher productivity, fewer mistakes, better customer service, and a more adaptable workforce.
- Employees benefit by feeling more confident in their roles, improving their performance, and increasing their opportunities for growth.
Training is an investment in people and their company’s future.
“One of the main reasons SMEs struggle to invest in employee training is the cost. When compared with international peers, the resources SMEs spend on training are low. Limited budgets mean that SMEs must consider the return on investment for any training they sponsor or provide for their employees.” Future Skills Centre
If you are an employer interested in learning more about free foundational skills training for your workforce, contact Learning Networks of Ontario organization in your area to learn more.
