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Prism Economics and Analysis serves clients with economics, industrial-labour relations and social research expertise. Prism was formed in 2000 by the merger of the economics practice of ARA Consulting (then with KPMG) and John O'Grady Consulting. The founding members of the firm have been working together since the early 1990s. The main office is located in Toronto, with associates based in other Canadian cities.

Prism specializes in labour market, human resources management and policy analysis. Our methodologies include: qualitative and quantitative economics (including cost-benefit, socio-economic and econometric analysis); social research (including telephone, pencil and paper, Internet surveys, focus groups, facilitated meetings, Delphi and other techniques); strategic planning; and market analysis.

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.

Prism focuses on specific industries and occupations. Our in-depth knowledge of structures, issues, sources, people, institutions, regulations, and policies leads to credible and practical research. Prism understands the different interests and perspectives of industry groups and carefully balances analysis and reports to respect and reconcile these interests. Consultants at Prism share a passion for accurate and honest analysis and a close, personal understanding of client groups.

Detailed descriptions of recent assignments, media coverage and public reports are available on this site.

Work described below highlights a sample of the firm's assignments:

TRAINING AND
CERTIFICATION The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum is assessing opportunities to increase the number of qualified skilled trades people across Canada. Prism has supported this effort with research focusing on the impact of Temporary Foreign Workers, opportunities to train and place diversity groups in jobs in the trades and the factors that surround mobility and completion rates for apprenticeship. Prism’s work in this area also includes work with individual skilled trades (e.g. Masonry, Sheet Metal Workers, Carpenters) on the development of training centers and the review and addition of new skills and technologies to programs.

POLICY AND
LABOUR MARKETS Prism has worked with the Construction Sector Council, Engineers Canada, the Information and Communication Technology Council and other groups on the creation and updating of Labour Market Information systems that include assessments of future market conditions for individual occupations. Prism has regularly contributed to policy analysis for the Ontario Construction Secretariat, on government action and industry plans to limit the underground economy in construction.

LABOUR MARKET
INFORMATION
AND HR PRACTICES Prism has worked with Canada’s plastics industry since the late 1980’s on industry competitiveness, technology and human resources. Prism has completed and updated human resource needs analysis, analysis of training programs and human resource policies for the Canadian Plastics Sector Council and prepares economic profiles for the Canadian Plastics Industry Association.

TECHNOLOGY,
PRODUCTIVITY, AND
HUMAN RESOURCES The Construction Sector Council expanded its Labour Market Information Program with a study of the impact of technology in productivity and work practices on productivity in construction. Prism provided a detailed analysis based on interviews with professionals, contractors and trainers. Research provided insight into the nature of productivity improvement in construction.

POLICY AND
LABOUR SUPPLY The Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE, now Engineers Canada (EC)) and the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists initiated a series of projects to facilitate the integration of foreign-trained engineers and technicians into the Canadian workforce. Prism designed a plan for a special internship program that would screen foreign-trained engineers and then place them in Canadian firms. Prism completed a major labour study for this group in 2009.

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