Ottawa's Talentworks - Regional Learning and Collaborative Governance for a Knowledge Age

Ottawa requires a highly trained, well-educated workforce.As the knowledge-based economy continues to rise and as more employees reach retirement age, the need for high-skilled workers becomes a greater priority.To address this issue, TalentWorks was created to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Ottawa's labor force and to create methods to foster Ottawa's human capital. The dynamics of collaboration, learning, and competitive advantage are discussed regarding their influence upon workforce development and firm performance in the technology sector.The roles of both knowledge and innovation upon workforce development are also addressed.The factors necessary for creating an effective workforce development strategy are evaluated. To better understand the workforce priorities of Ottawa residents, several surveys, interviews, and focus groups with members of Ottawa's major industries were conducted.The top ten priorities were identified and included such issues as insufficient linkages and partnerships, insufficient career counseling, and underutilization of foreign-trained professionals.Suggestions for creating collaborative governance are presented, and issues regarding leadership and volatility within TalentWorks are addressed.Three lessons can be derived from TalentWorks:(1) a quasi-permanent function is needed to act as a voice for workforce development; (2) the main role of this function would be as a facilitator; and (3) weak private sectors often remain fragmented at the hands of stronger federal governments. (AKP)