Survey of Employers on Workers' Skills

For Information onlyThis is an electronic survey example for information purposes only. This is not a working questionnaire.

Why are we conducting this survey?

The data collected will be used to support ESDC policies and programs pertaining to skills and training needs of Canadian employers. As well, the collected information and in particular the pervasiveness of skill gaps across industry and firm size classes, is important in order to motivate policy actions to address pressures and imbalances in the labour market.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Although voluntary, your participation is important so that the information collected is as accurate and complete as possible.

Record linkages

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada may combine the acquired data with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about record linkage:
Email: infostats@statcan.gc.ca- this link will open in a new window
Telephone: 1-877-949-9492

Mail:
Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Nathalie Brault, Centre for Special Business Projects
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

Data sharing agreements

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations.
Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data, and mailing it to the following address:

Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Nathalie Brault, Centre for Special Business Projects
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

What you will need to complete this questionnaire

A good knowledge and information on the company's skills needs and skills gaps as well as its human resources management practices, work organization, training programs, and talent recruitment and retention programs.

Reporting instructions

•Report dollar amounts rounded to the nearest dollar.
•Exclude sales tax.
•Report the number of hours using exact hours and a decimal, e.g., 37.25.
•Percentages should be rounded to whole numbers.
•When precise figures are not available, provide your best estimates.
•Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

Why have you been selected?

You have been selected because Statistics Canada randomly selected this establishment from all Canadian establishments found on its Business Register.

Who should complete this questionnaire?

This questionnaire should be completed by the HR officer, general manager or majority owner.

How do we protect your information?

Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of consultation participants. All personal information created, held or collected by the agency is protected in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Deadline for completing this questionnaire

Please complete this questionnaire and submit it within 10 days of receipt.

Business or organization and contact information

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:1.

Verify or provide the business or organization's legal and operating name and correct information if needed.
Note: Legal name should only be modified to correct a spelling error or typo.
: Legal name
: Operating name (if applicable)

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:2.

Verify or provide the contact information of the designated contact person for the business or organization, and correct information if needed.
Note: The designated contact person is the person who should receive this questionnaire. The designated contact person may not always be the one who actually completes the questionnaire.

: First name
: Last name
Title
Preferred language of communication
: English
: French
Mailing address (number and street)
City
Province, territory or state
Postal code or ZIP
Example: A9A 9A9 or 12345-1234
Country
: Canada
: United States
Email address
Example: user@example.gov.ca
Telephone number (including area code)
Example: 123-123-1234
Extension number (if applicable)
Fax number (including area code)
Example: 123-123-1234

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:3.

Verify or provide the current operational status of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.

: Operational
: Not currently operational
e.g., temporarily or permanently closed, change of ownership
Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
: Seasonal operations
When did this business or organization close for the season?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
: Ceased operations
When did this business or organization cease operations?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
Why did this business or organization cease operations?
Bankruptcy
Liquidation
Dissolution
Other
Specify the other reasons why operations ceased
: Sold operations
When was this business or organization sold?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
What is the legal name of the buyer?
: Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
When did this business or organization amalgamate?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
: Temporarily inactive but expected to reopen
When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
: No longer operating due to other reasons
When did this business or organization cease operations?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
Why did this business or organization cease operations?

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:4.

Verify or provide the current main activity of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.
Note: The described activity was assigned using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Description and examples
: This is the current main activity
: This is not the current main activity
Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's main activity
e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:5.

You indicated that this is not the current main activity.
Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as this main activity?

:Yes
When did the main activity change?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
:No

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:6.

Search and select the industry activity classification that best corresponds to this business or organization's main activity.
How to search:
- If desired, you can filter the search results by first selecting the business or organization's activity sector.
- Enter keywords or a brief description that best describe the business or organization's main activity.
-Press the Search button to search the database for an industry activity classification that best matches the keywords or description you provided.
-Select an industry activity classification from the list.

Select this business or organization's activity sector (optional):

Enter keywords or a brief description:

Workplace characteristics

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:1.

In what year was this business first established?
Note: During relocation or change of ownership, as long as the main business activity remains the same, the business is the same.
______________ Year (YYYY)

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:2.

For the calendar year 2021 (January 1st, 2021 to December 31st, 2021), how many employees were working for this business, on average?
Include only paid employees of this business receiving a T4 slip (not a T4a), including employees who are on paid leave as well as temporary help and casual workers.
Exclude independent contractors.
______________ Number of employees

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:3.

Compared to the same time last year, the number of employees (in general) for this business has:
Check only one response.

a): Increased
b): Decreased
c): Stayed more or less the same
d): Not applicable

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:4.

For the calendar year 2021, what was the "typical" structure of the workforce at this business?
Note: Please indicate the approximate percentage (%) of employees in each of the following categories. Only count employees once, based on their main job duties.

a): Management jobs
e.g., restaurant managers, shore captains, managers, supervisors, directors, etc.
__________Percentage (%)
b): Jobs that usually require a university degree
e.g., architects, dentists, engineers, lawyers, accountants, scientists, opticians, financial analysts, etc.
__________Percentage (%)
c): Jobs that usually require college education, specialized training or apprenticeship training
e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, cosmetologists, etc.
__________Percentage (%)
d): Jobs that usually require high school and/or job-specific training
e.g., long-haul truck drivers, industrial chefs, traffic control persons, arborists, heavy equipment operators, etc.
__________Percentage (%)
e): Jobs that usually give on-the-job training
e.g., fruit pickers, cleaning staff, cashiers, baristas, call centre agents, janitors, golf course attendants, etc.
__________Percentage (%)
: Total
__________Percentage (%)

The following questions (5 to 9) are relative to the employees' involvement in decision making at the organization of this business.

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:5.

For the calendar year 2021, did your employees participate in the decision making process regarding how work is done?
Note: Please exclude managers and supervisors.

a): Yes
b): No
c): Don't know

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:6.

For the calendar year 2021, please indicate the percentage of employees who met regularly to think about improvements that could be made within this workplace.
_______ Percentage

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:7.

For the calendar year 2021, please indicate the percentage of employees who document good work practices or lessons learned.
Note: Documentation can include performance reviews, emails, bulletin boards, informal discussion etc.
________Percentage

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:8.

As of the last pay period ending in December 2021, what percentage of your employees were permanent full-time workers?
______________percentage of employees who are permanent full-time workers

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:9.

As of the last pay period ending in December 2021, what percentage of the employees in your business were 50 years old or older?
______________percentage of employees are 50 years old or older

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:10.

Where does this business mainly sell its products or services?
Check all that apply.

a): Locally - within an individual town or municipality
b): Provincially - within one province
c): Nationally - across multiple provinces in Canada
d): Internationally

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:11.

Compared to other businesses in the same sector/industry, how often did your business lead the way in terms of developing new products, services or techniques?
Check only one response.

a): More often than other similar businesses
b): About as often as other similar businesses
c): Less often than other similar businesses
d): Don't know
e): Not applicable

Workplace characteristics - Question identifier:12.

Compared to other businesses in the same sector or industry, how does this business stand out in terms of the quality of products or services, on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being does not stand out at all and 4, stands out a lot?

a): 1) Does not stand out at all
b): 2) Stands out slightly
c): 3) Stands out moderately
d): 4) Stands out a lot
f): Don't know
g): Not applicable

Staffing and training practices

Staffing and training practices - Question identifier:13.

Does your business assess skills and competences needed for the future?
Check only one response.

a): No
b): Yes but not regularly (mainly linked to changes in personnel)
The term "regularly" refers to whether, over the past few years, your business carried out the exercise more than once and on a systematic basis.
c): Yes, it is part of the overall planning process in the organization

Staffing and training practices - Question identifier:14.

In the calendar year 2021, what staff development measures were used at this business?
Check all that apply.

a): Training in classrooms, workshops or online
b): Mentoring or buddying
Mentoring or buddying is a system where a colleague or someone from the same specialty provides guidance and support by sharing knowledge, skills and/or experience, to help another to develop and grow.
c): Mistakes acceptance and trying out different ways to carry out their tasks
d): Engage in rotation, exchanges, secondments, or study visits
Job rotation within the enterprise and exchanges with other enterprises as well as secondments and study visits with the primary intention of developing the skills of the workers involved. Transfers of workers from one job to another which are not part of a planned developmental programme should be excluded.
e): Other development measures
OR
f): Not applicable - No staff development measures were in place

Staffing and training practices - Question identifier:15.

For the calendar year 2021, how many employees received training?
Note: Include all types of job related training, whether fully or partially paid (time or money) by the employer.
Number of employees: ___________
IF Q15=0 Go to Q17. Otherwise go to Q16

Staffing and training practices - Question identifier:16.

For the calendar year 2021, estimate this businesses' total training expenditure.
Please include all types of job related training purchased by the employer.
Total training purchased from outside your business____________________________
If Q16=0 Go to Q17 otherwise go to Q18

Staffing and training practices - Question identifier:17.

In the calendar year 2021, what were the reasons this business did not provide training for its employees?
Select all that apply.

a): Existing employees had all required qualifications (skills and competences)
b): Recruited employees already had the required qualifications
c): Difficulties in assessing training needs in the organization
d): Lack of suitable course offerings
e): High costs of courses
f): Higher focus on apprenticeships than on employer-sponsored training
g): Major efforts to provide employer-sponsored training were made in recent years
h): High workload and no time available for training
i): Other reasons
OR
j): Not Applicable - all staff received training

Recruitment and retention difficulties

Recruitment and retention difficulties - Question identifier:18.

In the last 12 months, did your business experience difficulties finding candidates who possessed the skills needed to do their job to the required level?
Check only one response.
If Q18=Yes, Go to Q19 otherwise go to Q22

a): No, it was not difficult to find candidates with the required skills
b): Yes
c): Does not apply / There were no recent recruitments

Recruitment and retention difficulties - Question identifier:19.

Indicate if your business has encountered difficulties in the last 12 months recruiting employees whose position requires the following prerequisites.
Note: If your business has not required employees in a category in the last 12 months then select "Does not apply". If your business has not encountered any difficulty then select "No".

a): University degree
Yes, because applicants did not have the required skills
Yes, because there have been few or no applicants
Yes, for other reasons
No
Does not apply
b): College diploma or trades certificate
Yes, because applicants did not have the required skills
Yes, because there have been few or no applicants
Yes, for other reasons
No
Does not apply
c): Job-specific training or high school diploma
Yes, because applicants did not have the required skills
Yes, because there have been few or no applicants
Yes, for other reasons
No
Does not apply
d): No specific training required (customized training offered by the employer based on its own needs)
Yes, because applicants did not have the required skills
Yes, because there have been few or no applicants
Yes, for other reasons
No
Does not apply

Recruitment and retention difficulties - Question identifier:20.

Over the last 12 months, what skills were the most difficult to find in candidates for recruitment?
Select the three most important skills.
Note: Please consult the following website if you are not sure about the meaning of a particular skill: Skills - Canada.ca

a): Oral and written communication
b): Reading
c): Basic computer/digital
d): Basic math and calculating
e): Critical thinking
f): Problem solving
g): Technical, practical or job specific
h): Management
i): Team working
j): Customer service
k): Other skills
OR
l): Not applicable

Recruitment and retention difficulties - Question identifier:21.

Over the last 12 months, which of the following was the "main" reason why it was difficult to recruit employees?
Check only one response.

a): Wages and compensation are lower than in other organisations
b): Geographic location
c): Challenging working conditions
e.g., contract durations, working hours (length and flexibility), career progression.
d): Not enough people interested in doing this type of work
e): Other reasons

Recruitment and retention difficulties - Question identifier:22.

Over the last 12 months, has this business encountered any difficulties in retaining employees?
If Q22=Yes Go to Q23 otherwise go to Q24

a): Yes
b): No

Recruitment and retention difficulties - Question identifier:23.

Over the last 12 months, which of the following was the main reason why it was difficult to retain employees?
Check only one response.

a): Wages and compensation are lower than in other organisations
b): Geographic location
c): Challenging working conditions
e.g., contract durations, working hours (length and flexibility), career progression.
d): Not enough people interested in doing this type of work
e): Other reasons

Skills gap

Skills gap - Question identifier:24.

Taking into account the skills needed to do their current job, what percentage of employees are fully proficient in your business?
Note: A proficient employee is someone who is able to do the job to the required level.
If Q24= (a) then go to Q27. Else go to Q25

a): 100%
b): 80% to 99%
c): 60% to 79%
d): 40% to 59%
e): 20% to 39%
f): 1% to 19%
g): (0%) - No employee has all the necessary skills
h): Don't know

Skills gap - Question identifier:25.

Of those employees whose skills need improvement, which of the following skills do you think need the most improving?
Check the 3 most important skills.

a): Oral and written communication
b): Reading comprehension
c): Basic computer/digital
d): Basic math and calculating
e): Critical thinking
f): Problem solving
g): Technical, practical or job specific
h): Management
i): Team working
j): Customer service
k): Other skills

Skills gap - Question identifier:26.

Of those employees whose skills need improvements, which of the following actions were taken in the calendar year 2021 to help them work at the required skill level?
Check all that apply.

a): Provided training (internal or external) or on-the-job (in-house training)
b): Implemented a mentoring or buddying/coaching scheme
c): Increased performance monitoring
d): Provided feedback to staff
e): Other actions taken
OR
f): No action was taken

Skills gap - Question identifier:27.

What overall strategies were put into place at this business to address employee skill deficiencies?
Check all that apply.

a): Recruited new staff with suitable qualifications, skills and competencies
b): Changed work practices
c): Reallocated work
d): Automated production
e): Implemented outsourcing or offshoring
f): Dropped some activities
OR
g): No strategies were put in place

Skills gap - Question identifier:28.

Please indicate which of the following have impacted the skill requirements of your employees during the past three to five years?
If there were no changes that impacted skill requirements for employees then select "Not applicable".
If there was an experienced change but it did not impact skill requirements for employees then select "No".
If All Q28 = No, Don't know, or Not applicable then go to Q30. Else, go to Q29

: Changes to:
a): Working tools (e.g. machinery, robotics, equipment)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
b): Information and communication technologies and processes
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
c): Working methods and organisational practices
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
d): Use of temporary agency workers
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
e): Outsourcing practices outside Canada
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
f): Products or services
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
g): The number of exchanges with clients
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable

Skills gap - Question identifier:29.

Was any training provided to support the employees through these changes?
Check only one response.

a): No, no training was needed
b): No, but training was needed
c): Yes, to everyone who needed it
d): Yes, but only to some staff, because of resource constraints
e): Yes, but only to some staff, due to other reasons

Skills gap - Question identifier:30.

During the last three years, did this business face the following consequences because of a lack in job skills?
If the business did not face the following consequences then select "Not applicable".
If the business did face the following consequences but it was not due to a lack of job skills then select "No".

a): Not able to take on as much business as you would like
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
b): Loss of business or orders to competitors
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
c): Delays in developing new products or services
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
d): Difficulty in meeting quality standards
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
e): Increased operating costs
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
f): Difficulty in introducing new working practices
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
g): Increased workload for other staff
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
h): Difficulties in meeting customer service objectives
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
i): The withdrawal of certain products or services altogether
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
j): Difficulties in introducing technological change
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
k): Difficulties in supporting/conducting research, innovation and development
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
l): Increase in complaints (customers/clients)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
m): Increase in job safety and security issue
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic - Question identifier:31.

For this business, please indicate how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted each of the following issues.
Check all that apply.

a): The number of employees relative to the year before the pandemic has changed
b): Difficulties for recruiting new people with the required skills
c): Challenges providing training to develop required skills among workers
d): Changes in work arrangements (e.g. teleworking)
e): Other difficulties in business practice
OR
f): Don't know

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic - Question identifier:32.

For this business, please indicate how the COVD-19 pandemic impacted the level of improvement needed in the following skills.
If a skill is not relevant to your employees then select "Not applicable".
If a skill has not been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic then select "No improvement".

a): Oral communication
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
b): Written communication
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
c): Reading comprehension
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
d): Basic computer/digital
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
e): Basic math and calculating
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
f): Critical thinking
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
g): Problem solving
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
h): Technical, practical or job specific
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
i): Management
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
j): Team working
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable
k): Customer service
Major improvement
Minor improvement
No improvement
Not applicable

Contact person

Contact person - Question identifier:33.

Statistics Canada may need to contact the person who completed this questionnaire for further information. Are you the best person to contact?

Yes
No

Feedback

Feedback - Question identifier:34.

How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?
Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.
Hours
Minutes

Feedback - Question identifier:35.

Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?
Enter your comments (200 characters available)

Date modified:: 2022-03-07

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