To ensure a full understanding of the charge, the Panel first met with
representatives from ESDC to discuss the scope of the assessment. The topic
of STEM skills is broad and touches on many aspects of education, training,
and employment. To ensure the required breadth and depth of analysis, the
Panel resolved that the assessment would:
• focus on the evolution of skill demands over the medium to long term, rather
than assess short-term skill shortages or gaps, with the aim of examining how
labour market demands for skills are evolving over longer time periods and
the factors driving the changes;
Chapter 1 Introduction 5
• consider investment in STEM skills relative to investment in other types of
skills, assessing the importance and role of different skill sets and the trade-offs
involved in making education and training choices, at the individual and
societal levels;
• recognize the role of provincial governments in education, immigration,
and skills development and consider policy implications that extend beyond
the federal jurisdiction;
• assess potential barriers to the development of STEM skills throughout the
formal education system, including the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system; and
• consider the role of STEM skills relative to complementary skill sets (i.e.,
business skills, people skills, creativity, the ability to work in a team).