2021 Post-Pandemic Scenario Planning Report
The Durham Workforce Authority’s Post-Pandemic Scenario Planning Report aims to help local businesses plan for unforeseen and foreseeable events regarding the plausible future of the local labour market, through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. This includes scenario-based planning helps establish a specific set of uncertainties to guide the local labour market in the long-term. It supports workforce leaders to make effective resource and investment choices, anticipate required supports, consider how future conditions will affect their business, establish alternative responses, and develop skills gap closing strategies.
The overarching goal of this report is to initiate a conversation around the next steps and actions that are required to address present and future labour market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Durham Region. It provides an overview of the past to establish the historical context, a summary of the present situation regarding current and anticipated impacts of COVID-19 on local sectors and the workforce. This section includes information about the impacts of COVID-19 on different groups of workers, as well as initiatives, projects, and actions that are being explored to alleviate the effects of the pandemic in the Region.
Finally, the report provides an overview of the future as it details four possible scenarios for post-pandemic recovery. This includes providing recommendations to help solve workforce challenges induced by COVID-19, to sustain local business, and to engage employers to support the growth of Durham’s leading industries. To help business leaders plan effectively, the report leveraged data from various sources including Statistics Canada, job demand reports, surveys, Sector Planning Partnership Grant (SPPG) research, and community consultations with economic development partners.