Prism Economics and Analysis serves clients with economics, industrial-labour relations and social research expertise. Clients include specific industries and occupations, governments and related institutions, labour unions, private business, union-management groups, and related associations and councils. We have worked with federal, provincial (in all provinces and territories) governments and with American and international clients. Below is a list of a few of our recent clients:
Prism Economics (and associates) has engaged in a number of research and consultation initiatives with the Construction Sector Council (CSC) since its inception. Many of these projects are significant undertakings for the CSC, involving annual research updates and extensive stakeholder consultation, such as support in the creation of the “supply side” of the national labour market information (LMI) system, which results in a yearly publication Construction Looking Forward. The model is focused on supply and demand for skilled trades and is based on capital spending trends, macro-economic factors, demographic trends and enrolment and completion of apprenticeship training. The CSC model has been described as a ‘best practice’ example in three studies – two by the Conference Board of Canada (in 2005 and 2007) and a further study by the Canadian Centre for the Study of Living Standards. The CSC’s forecasting service is distributed through the web.
Prism created the 2011 to 2016 outlook for the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), which provides a comprehensive array of fresh data on the state of HR for ICT employers along with an informed projection of the ICT landscape five years from now and recommendations on steps the sector can take today to address key areas of concern. Outlook 2011-2016 was developed to serve as a tool for action for the entire spectrum of Canada’s ICT stakeholders. It identifies the most likely trajectory of labour market conditions over the next five years. Recommendations are offered to address sector-wide challenges. Prior to completing this report, in 2008, Prism prepared ICTC’s Outlook on Human Resources in the ICT Labour Market, 2008-2015. This assignment required (1) constructing an econometric forecast of supply and demand for IT occupations, (2) nuancing that forecast based on industry insights on technology trends, off-shoring, and evolving skill requirements, (3) interpreting the supply and demand trends in terms of labour market conditions that practitioners can understand, and (4) validating the outlook with industry stakeholders. Preparation of the 2008-2015 Outlook was preceded by a methodology report that was also undertaken by Prism.
Prism has done a few studies for the Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress (CSTEC), the most recent of which was the Human Resources Canadian Steel Sector Study. CSTEC will use the final report to guide its strategic planning process for the next three years and to shape the programs for which it will seek government and stakeholder support. An overall industry need was identified: a strengthening of the industry’s workplace training culture, in order to remain competitive. A sector strategy was proposed to achieve a stronger industry-wide workplace training culture, which involved using a tool steel industry leaders are already using: benchmarking.
Prism has undertaken several rounds of labour market information studies for Engineers Canada. In 2009, Prism created a report Engineering and Technology Labour Market Study for Engineers Canada and the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists. A subsequent update offers an expanded and comprehensive supply and demand forecasting model for Engineers Canada. The latest report tracks current national labour supply and demand and adds a projection from 2010 to 2018, providing engineering students, universities, employers and governments with insight into labour market forecasts. It has been produced both as a traditional printed document and as a web-based interactive report that allows users to focus on their province and to drill down to the level of detail that they require.
Prism is currently undertaking a study of the Electricity Labour Market for the Electricity Sector Council (ESC), which involves collecting current data on human resources in the electricity sector and developing long-term estimates of labour supply and demand. Further, a secondary objective is to collect, assess and interpret qualitative labour market intelligence to support work force planning, the analysis of training needs, and mitigation of business risks related to potential labour and skills shortages. The final report for the Electricity Labour Market is scheduled to be released by the end of summer 2011.
Prism completed an updated study on the Underground Economy in Construction for the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS). Building on original research by Prism, the studies estimate the size of the underground economy and the revenue losses to the Government and the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. These reports examine increasing trends in the underground construction economy and identifies the motivations behind these trends.
Prism Economics has completed a number of studies for the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF). In 2010, Prism undertook a CAF study of eight programs that connect visible minority/racialized groups with employers in skilled trades. The case studies focus specifically on programs that deal with the skilled trades. Another study Prism undertook for CAF examined the factors impacting apprenticeship completion and what can be done to potentially help apprentices complete their programs. Prism completed another study for CAF, which investigates whether the increasing use of temporary foreign workers is having impacts on apprenticeship. Further past studies include work on the Financial Return on Apprenticeship Training to Employers (2004-2005), the ”Inventory/Information” project of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum which evaluated the need for a national, “one stop” location for information on provincial/territorial apprenticeship systems and other sources of apprenticeship information in Canada. Prism also created the content for a pan-Canadian apprenticeship web site, in partnership with ThinData.
Prism produced a series of quarterly reports for the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) on the latest trends in the plastics industry. The reports were organized into a concise “Economic Dashboard” which reported on key indicators, like the general economic background, customer markets, suppliers, plastics sub-sectors and offered conclusions on the direction of the industry.
Prism undertook a major study of human resources challenges in the plastics industry for the Canadian Plastics Sector Council (CPSC) which examined the industry in the beginning of the manufacturing downturn. The study describes the challenges faced by the industry as well as the shift from mass production to “mass-customization”.