Globalization, combined with profound demographic, environmental and technological forces, are fundamentally changing the labour market and the nature of work. How can we best support workers’ adjustment to these changes? The often-proposed solution is to invest in skills development, but this presumes the existence of a responsive education system and well-designed, timely policies. This research program critically evaluated Canada’s education and training programs for adult learners, and present proposals for a more effective and proactive adult learning ecosystem that fosters a more resilient workforce.