Services

Economic & Labour Market Development

Evidence-based strategies and practical solutions for communities, sectors, and regions.

Qatalyst provides economic development and labour market consulting to businesses, governments, Indigenous organizations, industry associations, post-secondary institutions and non-profits across Canada. With nearly 500 completed assignments, its work includes economic development strategies, investment attraction, labour market studies and an employment tracker for go2HR.

Economic Development Services

Qatalyst’s economic development expertise covers every stage of growth and transformation, tailored to the unique needs of each client and sector.

Our services include:

Economic Development Strategies: Holistic, actionable roadmaps designed for communities, regions, and industry sectors seeking sustainable growth, diversification, and improved quality of life.
Investment Attraction: Targeted strategies and promotion plans to draw new businesses, capital, and talent—boosting competitiveness on regional, national, and international levels.
Impact Assessments: Rigorous economic, social, and community impact evaluations that inform funding, policy, and development decisions.
Sector Development Studies: Deep dives into emerging and traditional sectors, revealing opportunities, trends, constraints, and required interventions.
Business Retention & Expansion: Programs that engage directly with local business communities, supporting long-term stability and expansion.
Business & Regional Benchmarking Studies: Comparative analysis of performance indicators, policy environments, and strategies across regions and industries.
Feasibility & Business Case Analysis: Detailed assessments to support new investments, infrastructure, and program proposals.
Policy Analysis & Development: Informed guidance to develop, assess, and implement effective economic policies, incentives, and programs.

Labour Market Services

Qatalyst specializes in labour market analysis, workforce development, and skills planning, equipping clients to respond to rapid changes in local and global job markets.

Our services include:

Labour Market Studies: Comprehensive analysis of workforce trends, supply/demand gaps, skills needs, and employment challenges.
Workforce Planning: Collaborative planning to ensure talent pipelines align with future labour market needs for businesses and communities.
Employer & Employee Surveys: Tailored surveys that reveal strengths, gaps, and opportunities in organizational practices and workforce satisfaction.
Employer Benchmarking: Comparative studies to identify HR, recruitment, retention, and workforce development practices relative to sector peers.
Employee Attraction & Retention Strategies: Tactics and programs to draw and keep top talent, promoting organizational effectiveness and sector growth.
Workforce Development Strategies: Solutions for training, upskilling, and credentialing to meet present and future employer needs.
Training Program Design & Evaluation: Evidence-based design, implementation, and review of job training, apprenticeship, and continuing education initiatives.
Employment Tracking & Data Dashboards: Tools to monitor hiring, workforce flows, and progress on strategic workforce initiatives.
Program & Policy Evaluation: Independent, detailed reviews of workforce interventions to demonstrate impact and value.

Sector and Regional Impact

Qatalyst’s team has contributed to the growth and resilience of sectors including advanced manufacturing, biotech, agriculture, health informatics, medical devices, sustainable energy, ICT, creative industries (arts, new media, fashion, architecture), and more. Work has ranged across all Canadian provinces and territories, with dedicated strategies for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and the Atlantic provinces.

Our methodologies emphasize stakeholder consultation and engagement. We have designed and implemented large-scale surveys, focus groups, and interviews with businesses, Indigenous governments, community organizations, and industry leaders.

Frequently asked questions

What does an economic development strategy include?

An economic development strategy sets out how a community, region or sector will grow its economy over the next several years. It usually includes an analysis of the local economy and labour force, a review of assets and constraints, stakeholder input, a vision and goals, priority sectors and actions, and an implementation plan with roles, timing, resources and performance measures. Qatalyst prepares these strategies for communities, regions and industry sectors.

What is a labour market study?

A labour market study analyzes the supply of and demand for workers in a region, sector or occupation, including employment trends, skills gaps and hiring challenges. It typically combines Statistics Canada data with employer and employee surveys and interviews. Qatalyst conducts labour market studies, workforce plans and employer benchmarking, and has updated the BC Tourism & Hospitality Employment Tracker for go2HR every month since 2021.

What is business retention and expansion (BRE)?

Business retention and expansion (BRE) is an economic development program that works with existing local businesses to understand their needs, solve problems that might cause them to close or leave, and support their growth. It usually involves business visits or surveys, follow-up on the issues raised and regular reporting. Qatalyst designs BRE programs that engage directly with local businesses, and a BRE tool is in development for its AI platform for economic development offices.

What is an economic impact assessment?

An economic impact assessment estimates how a project, investment, program or event affects an economy, usually measured in output, GDP, jobs, income and tax revenue. It often separates direct, indirect and induced effects using input-output multipliers. Qatalyst conducts economic, social and community impact assessments, including its evaluation of Alberta Innovates' Smart Agriculture and Food Program, which reported the economic and social return of government investments. Read the case study.

Where in Canada has Qatalyst done economic development work?

Qatalyst has done economic development work in every Canadian province and territory. It has prepared dedicated strategies for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and the Atlantic provinces, and economic development strategies for communities across the West and the North. Sectors include advanced manufacturing, agriculture, biotech, health informatics, medical devices, sustainable energy, ICT and creative industries.

How long does it take to prepare an economic development strategy?

The time needed depends mainly on the size of the area, how much new research and data analysis is required, the scale of stakeholder engagement, and how many rounds of review the council or board needs. Qatalyst's process moves from secondary research and a situational analysis, to engagement through surveys, interviews and focus groups, to a draft strategy that stakeholders review before it is finalized. Ask Qatalyst for a timeline for your project.

How Can We Help?

Tell us about your investments, programs or activities, or send us a request for proposal (RFP). We will let you know how our services can work for you and provide you with a quote.