Future Skills, Labor Market, and the Impact of Higher Education with Nik Nanos

In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster is joined by special guest Nik Nanos, the Chief Data Scientist with Nanos Research. They discuss the evolving needs of the labour market, the importance of seeing oneself as a lifelong learner, and the role of international students in Canada's prosperity. The conversation also covers the vital role that post-secondary education institutions play in society. 

01:50 The Journey of Starting a Company 

03:02 The Challenges and Rewards of Family Business 

03:37 The Importance of Lifelong Learning 

10:29 The Role of International Students in Canada's Labor Market 

15:39 The Value of Admitting What You Don't Know 

17:43 The Art of Disagreement and Decision Making 

18:11 The Importance of Challenging Ideas and Creating Safe Spaces 

19:47 The Power of Networking and Learning from Others 

25:52 The Value of Post-Secondary Education and Skilled Trades 

28:17 The Role of Politicians and Public Service 

32:13 Closing Thoughts and Reflections 

Read the full transcript here

Bio for Nik Nanos 

Chief Data Scientist, Nanos Research 

In 1987, Nanos founded the firm which does research in Canada and around world. He leads the team behind the weekly Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index, a must-have resource for senior executives, and is featured in a weekly segment on CTV’s News 

Channel, Nanos on the Numbers, which explores the latest political, business, and social trends. Nanos’ analysis has also been featured in most major news organizations, including Bloomberg News, the Globe and Mail, CTV News, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, and The Guardian. 

The author of The Age of Voter Rage which unpacks populist politics in the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom, he is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail. His monthly Data Dive analysis explores the latest social, economic, demographic and political trends. 

In addition, he is a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC; chair of Atlantik Brücke Canada, a non-profit focused on advancing Canada- Germany relations; a Fellow at the Canadian Research and Insights Council and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society; and one of 20 honorary captains in the Royal Canadian Navy. 

He is also the Past Chair of Carleton University. 

He is a graduate of Queen’s University with degrees in history, political studies and an MBA. In 2023, Nik was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.