Certificate in Agile Workforce Planning (3-Day)

Labour shortages, the lasting impacts of COVID-19, economic upheaval, and the rapid rise of AI are transforming the world of work at a pace never seen before. Traditional workforce planning can’t keep up. Organizations now need leaders who can think and act with agility, building resilient workforces that can adapt, pivot, and grow through constant change. Agile Workforce Planning extends beyond long-term strategic planning by operating in shorter cycles, enabling leaders to respond quickly to disruption(s) and build future-ready strategies.

The 3-Day Certificate in Agile Workforce Planning equips HR professionals, executives, and leaders with the tools and frameworks to anticipate disruption and respond with confidence. Over three days, participants explore the current workforce landscape, assess the impacts of AI and automation, and design a practical action plan through guided activities, simulations, and peer exchanges. Each participant leaves with a comprehensive toolkit, a one-page workforce plan tailored to their organization, and a certificate that signals their readiness to lead workforce transformation.

Who Should Attend?

• HR Leaders and Professionals

• Executives and Senior Managers

• Operations and Finance Managers

• Union and Board Representatives

What You'll Learn

Day 1: Understanding the Workforce Landscape

Day one sets the stage by examining the realities of today’s labour market and the urgency of adopting agile workforce planning. Participants will explore demographic pressures, talent shortages, and critical role vulnerabilities, while learning how agile principles differ from traditional planning. The goal is to give leaders a clear picture of where their organizations are most at risk and how agility can create resilience in uncertain conditions.

Participants will learn to:

1. Explain the key drivers of labour shortages and demographic shifts affecting today’s workforce.

2. Construct a workforce inventory capturing roles, skills, demographics, and risks.

3. Apply the Critical Role Scoring Tool to identify and prioritize high-risk positions.

4. Calculate workforce capacity and cost baselines using practical formulas.

5. Evaluate current organizational vulnerabilities through a workforce risk heatmap.

Day 2: AI Transformation & Future Scenarios

The second day focuses on how artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping jobs, skills, and workforce needs. Through forecasting and scenario planning, participants will identify roles most at risk, skills in rising demand, and potential disruption points in their sectors. The goal is to equip leaders with tools to anticipate change, test workforce strategies under different scenarios, and confidently decide whether to build, buy, borrow, or automate talent solutions.

Participants will learn to:

• Analyze how AI and automation are transforming jobs and required skills.

• Use the AI Job Impact Matrix to assess which roles in their organization are most vulnerable or full of opportunity.

• Develop demand and supply forecasts for workforce needs across multiple scenarios.

• Participate in a scenario planning simulation to test workforce strategies under disruption.

• Differentiate between Build, Buy, Borrow, and Bot workforce strategies as potential responses to gaps.

Day 3: Building & Applying Your Workforce Plan

On the final day, participants shift from analysis to action by designing their own agile workforce plan. With guidance and peer feedback, they will create reskilling pathways, prioritize workforce initiatives, and develop a one-page plan aligned to organizational goals. The goal is for every participant to leave with a practical, stress-tested roadmap that addresses labour shortages, leverages AI, and positions their organization for a more resilient future.

Participants will learn to:

• Design workforce strategies using the 4B Decision Matrix (Build–Buy–Borrow–Bot).

• Create a reskilling pathway and recruitment/retention levers tailored to their organizational needs.

• Draft a one-page agile workforce plan that integrates key actions, metrics, and risks.

• Stress-test their workforce plan with a peer using the Workforce Stress-Test Checklist.

• Commit to a 90-Day Action Roadmap to implement their agile workforce plan back at work.

Prerequisites

None.

Registration Fee

$2100.00 + HST (Regular rate. Register by October 1, 2025)

Late registrations accepted after this date (pending availability) at $2400.00 +HST

Program Information

Dates: October 28-30, 2025 (3-day in-person program)

Location: Hampton Inn and Suites, Dartmouth, NS

Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm

In person. Light refreshments provided.

Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward improving attendance, boosting morale, and creating a workplace where employees thrive.

Facilitator

Detry Carragher, CPHR, SHRM-SCP, CCIP, CBCP, PHSA

With over 25 years of experience as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Detry Carragher is an award-winning management consultant and author. She is the Principal Owner of Carvo Group, an Atlantic Canada–based consultancy recognized for providing trusted HR expertise and support to organizations of all sizes. She is highly sought after by organizations during times of chaos and transformation (e.g. artificial intelligence, labour shortages, COVID-19, remote work, legalized marijuana).

Detry is known for her strategic insight, innovative thinking, and practical approach to solving complex HR challenges. She has worked extensively with leaders, boards, and organizations to develop systems that are not only compliant but also supportive of healthy, respectful, and productive workplaces.

As a trainer and facilitator, Detry designs and delivers workshops that are accessible, engaging, and rooted in real-world application. Her ability to make complex HR concepts clear and actionable ensures participants leave with confidence, tools, and strategies they can use immediately in their workplaces. In addition to her consulting and training work, Detry is the author of Expectations: The Power to Shape Your Life, and she continues to share thought leadership on how expectations influence all aspects of an individual's life.