Abstract:
The skills Ontario organizations need to thrive have shifted dramatically in recent years. Today’s workforce requires a blend of soft skills (leadership, communication, emotional intelligence) and technical expertise (AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics,). At the same time, post-pandemic realities demand resilience, digital fluency, and employee well-being. This blog explores the most in-demand corporate training courses in Ontario and highlights how the BEVA® Learning Institute, with over 700 courses and a consulting-led approach, helps organizations build stronger teams, resilient leaders, and sustainable growth.
In Ontario’s competitive business environment, forward-thinking organizations are investing heavily in corporate training to keep their workforce adaptable, innovative, and resilient. The landscape of corporate training is shaped by both timeless needs, such as leadership and communication, and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Information Security, ISO/IEC-recognized certification programs, hybrid team management, and employee well-being. As workplaces continue to evolve in the wake of the pandemic, businesses are prioritizing training programs that not only build individual skills but also strengthen collaboration, digital fluency, and organizational culture. Below, we explore the training courses that Ontario organizations are seeking most in 2025.
Soft Skills Training: Building Stronger Leaders and Teams
Why Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever
Soft skills are increasingly essential for Ontario businesses. According to The Future of Work in Ontario report, employers overwhelmingly list soft skills, such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and adaptability, among the most in-demand skills in the labour force.
A Canada-wide survey (“Survey of Employers on Workers’ Skills, 2021”) found that 56.1% of Canadian businesses reported their workforce was not fully proficient to perform their jobs at the required level, and that problem-solving and communication skills were among the top skills lacking.
Further research by the IMARC Group shows that the Canada soft skills training market reached USD 671.43 million in 2024 and is projected to nearly triple by 2033 (USD 1,789.89 million), with employer demand for interpersonal skills like communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence driving much of that growth.
These trends show that investing in soft-skills training is no longer a “nice to have” addition to employee programs. In fact, it is critical to building competitiveness, ensuring talent retention, promoting team effectiveness, and enabling leadership succession.
Key Soft Skills Ontario Employers Are Prioritizing
Here are some of the soft skills most in demand right now in Ontario, especially in the post-pandemic context:
| Soft Skill | Why It’s Important Now |
| Leadership & Change Management | Leaders who can guide teams through change, uncertainty, and hybrid work models. Succession planning and adaptability are in demand. |
| Communication (Verbal, Written, Cross-Cultural) | With many teams partially remote or hybrid, the risk of miscommunication is high. Clear, effective communication prevents misunderstandings, builds trust, and improves collaboration. |
| Emotional Intelligence (EQ) | Helps leaders and team members manage stress, empathize, build psychological safety, and sustain morale, especially during periods of disruption. |
| Teamwork & Collaboration | Hybrid and cross-functional teams need strong collaboration tools, practices, and norms to work effectively. |
| Adaptability & Resilience | Post-pandemic shifts (remote/hybrid work, changing customer expectations, unexpected disruptions) require people to adapt quickly. |
What BEVA® Offers: Soft Skills Training options
Through the BEVA® Learning Institute, organizations in Ontario have access to an extensive catalogue of soft skills programs designed to strengthen leadership, communication, and collaboration across all levels of the workforce.
Some of the most popular course categories include:
- Leadership Development: Courses such as From Boss to Leader, Women in Leadership, and Building Resilience Through Leadership Communication prepare leaders to inspire confidence, manage change, and build high-performing teams.
- Communication Skills: Programs like Communication Strategies, Effective Presentation Skills, and Handling Difficult Conversations help employees and leaders communicate clearly, reduce conflict, and engage diverse teams; all of which are critical in hybrid workplaces.
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Courses including Teamwork and Team Building, Virtual Team Building and Management, and Effective Team Development equip teams with practical skills for collaboration and problem-solving.
- Emotional Intelligence & Professional Effectiveness: Offerings such as Building Confidence Through Assertiveness, Critical Thinking, and Influence and Persuasion help employees enhance self-awareness, empathy, and adaptability. These traits have proven to improve retention and performance.
- Management & Supervisory Skills: Programs like Conflict Management, Motivation Training: Motivating Your Workforce, and Supervising Others ensure managers can effectively lead and support their teams.
BEVA® courses are available in English and French, and can be delivered in-person, virtually, or in hybrid formats. Every program is customizable to meet the unique needs of your organization, ensuring that training aligns directly with business goals and culture.
How Organizations Can Leverage Soft Skills Training Effectively
To make the most of soft skills training, Ontario organizations should:
- Tailor training to role and level – For example, leaders vs. frontline employees will need different emphases (strategy vs. relationship-building).
- Blend formats – Workshops, virtual sessions, role-plays, simulations, followed by coaching or feedback.
- Measure outcomes – Use pre-/post-training assessments, feedback, performance metrics, retention, and engagement surveys.
- Integrate into culture – Reinforce through leadership behaviour, peer modelling, ongoing moments of learning (not just one-off training).
When our team at BEVA® delivers a course on soft skills training, we ensure that it aligns with your organization’s culture, leadership goals, and growth path. With over 700 courses, many focused on leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration, the BEVA® Learning Institute can customize the delivery (in-person, virtual, or hybrid). We also follow up with coaching to ensure the skills are openly embraced by employees and become deeply embedded in your corporate culture.
Emerging Technology Training: Building a Future-Ready Workforce
As Ontario organizations embrace digital transformation, the demand is shifting from traditional IT skills to emerging technologies that enable resilience, innovation, and global competitiveness. BEVA® responds to this evolution with self-study e-learning courses, internationally recognized programs in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Information Security, Digital Resilience and Compliance Training, and ISO/IEC certification, preparing professionals for the future of work.
Deloitte’s Digital Equity for Organizations report highlights that Canadian businesses are facing significant challenges in hiring and retaining digitally skilled talent, even as demand for these skills continues to grow.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining the modern workplace, transforming how organizations innovate, make decisions, and deliver value. As Ontario’s economy continues to digitize, professionals equipped with AI literacy and application skills are becoming vital to driving efficiency, productivity, and competitive advantage.
Core learning areas include:
- AI for Business Leaders – Learn how to integrate AI into decision-making, innovation, and strategic growth.
- Machine Learning and Automation Fundamentals – Gain a working understanding of algorithms, automation tools, and data-driven optimization.
- AI Ethics and Responsible Innovation – Explore frameworks for building transparent, fair, and accountable AI systems.
- Data Analytics with AI – Leverage data insights to improve operational performance, forecasting, and customer engagement.
BEVA® supports this transformation through internationally recognized AI programs that prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow’s opportunities. These programs combine foundational knowledge with hands-on, practical applications, helping learners move beyond awareness to strategic implementation.
Cybersecurity, Digital Resilience, and Compliance Training
In a hyperconnected business environment, cybersecurity and digital resilience are essential pillars of organizational integrity. With the rise of hybrid work, cloud adoption, and data-driven operations, Ontario businesses face unprecedented cyber threats, from ransomware attacks to privacy breaches. BEVA® equips organizations with the knowledge and tools to safeguard their digital ecosystems through integrated Cybersecurity, Digital Resilience, and Compliance Training programs. These offerings blend foundational cybersecurity skills with compliance best practices to help teams prevent, respond to, and recover from threats while maintaining regulatory and ethical standards.
BEVA offers programs such as:
- Cybersecurity: Fundamentals for Employees
- Cybersecurity Management
- Information Security
- Technical Cybersecurity
These courses empower employees and IT teams alike to protect sensitive information, comply with regulations, and maintain organizational resilience.
ISO/IEC Recognized Certifications
In today’s global marketplace, international standards are key to ensuring compliance, credibility, and operational excellence. BEVA® offers ISO/IEC-recognized certification programs that help Ontario organizations strengthen governance, manage risks, and align with global best practices.
Through partnerships with PECB, GSDC, and other accredited bodies, BEVA® delivers self-study e-learning and instructor-led courses recognized worldwide for their rigor and practical application. Popular certifications include:
- ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security Management
- ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
- ISO/IEC 42001 – Artificial Intelligence
These programs equip professionals to protect data, maintain resilience, and meet international compliance standards. With flexible bilingual delivery and expert facilitation, BEVA® ensures ISO/IEC training drives measurable results and sustainable business value.
Post-Pandemic Workforce Needs
The COVID-19 pandemic permanently reshaped how Ontario organizations operate. Even as offices reopen, the shift to hybrid and remote work has created new demands for resilience, adaptability, and digital fluency. Businesses are also recognizing the importance of employee well-being and psychological safety as key drivers of retention and productivity. As hybrid and remote work expand, cybersecurity awareness and information security training have become essential for protecting digital workplaces.
Recent Statistics Canada data shows that in June 2024, about 15% of employees usually worked most of their hours from home, while an additional ~11–12% reported working under hybrid arrangements, splitting time between home and the office, reflecting a significant shift from pre-pandemic norms. This reality requires leaders and employees to adopt new skills, from managing virtual collaboration to maintaining team cohesion across dispersed locations. Similarly, a Deloitte survey found that Canadian executives view workforce well-being and talent transformation, including upskilling/reskilling, as top priorities in adapting to post-pandemic workplace challenges.
Hybrid and Remote Team Management
Having a plethora of advanced technical tools isn’t enough to manage hybrid teams. You need new approaches to leadership and people management. Leaders must ensure equity between in-office and remote staff, prevent disengagement, and maintain communication across time zones and work settings.
BEVA® offers programs such as:
- “Managing the Virtual Workplace”
- “Virtual Team Building and Management”
- “High-Performance Teams (Remote Workforce)”
These courses give leaders and teams practical strategies to maintain trust, productivity, and collaboration in hybrid environments.
Digital Fluency: Empowering the Modern Hybrid Workforce
The post-pandemic workplace relies heavily on digital tools, from video conferencing to cloud-based collaboration platforms. While IT professionals may need advanced training in cloud and cybersecurity, most employees require everyday digital fluency, the ability to confidently use these tools, communicate effectively online, and maintain productivity in hybrid environments.
Organizations that fail to invest in these capabilities risk disengagement, inefficiency, and higher turnover.
BEVA® supports this need with programs such as:
- “Effective Videoconferencing Presentations” – helping employees deliver engaging online meetings.
- “Managing the Virtual Workplace” – equipping leaders to balance productivity and trust in hybrid settings.
- “Communication Strategies” – enhancing clarity and engagement in digital-first environments.
These courses ensure that employees not only know how to use the tools but also apply them effectively to collaborate, communicate, and thrive in modern workplaces.
Resilience, Adaptability, and Mental Health
The pandemic underscored the importance of employee wellness. A Mental Health Research Canada survey found that 35% of working Canadians experienced heightened stress or burnout during the pandemic, a trend that continues to impact retention and productivity.
To address this, organizations are turning to training that emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and psychological safety. BEVA’s courses such as:
- “Building Resilience Through Leadership Communication”
- “Healthy Conversations at Work” (for managers and employees)
- “Motivation Training: Motivating Your Workforce”
Equipping leaders and staff with the skills to recognize burnout, foster open communication, and build supportive workplace cultures.
The BEVA® Advantage
While many providers offer training, few can match the breadth, customization, and bilingual delivery that BEVA® brings to Ontario organizations. With more than 25 years of experience through acquisitions and a reputation as both a training provider and management consulting firm, BEVA® delivers programs that go beyond skills development to create measurable business impact.
Through the BEVA® Learning Institute, clients gain access to over 700 courses, spanning everything from soft skills (leadership, communication, emotional intelligence) to emerging technologies (data analytics, cloud, AI and cybersecurity). Every course can be delivered in-person, virtually, hybrid, self-study, or e-learning, giving your organization the flexibility to meet the diverse needs of your workforce.
What sets BEVA® apart is our consulting-led approach. Before recommending training, we work with your team to identify skills gaps and align programs with strategic goals. This ensures that your training investments are truly relevant and also contribute directly to improved performance, employee engagement, and long-term resilience.
BEVA® is an Authorized Training Partner (ATP)® with GInI®, PMI®, PECB, and the Global Skills Development Council (GSDC)®, delivering internationally recognized ISO/IEC certification programs, AI, Cybersecurity, and Information Security courses. Many of these programs are now available as flexible, self-study, e-learning options that meet international standards of excellence.
For Ontario businesses, the BEVA® advantage is clear:
- Comprehensive offerings: From foundational skills to advanced technical certifications.
- Customization: Programs tailored to organizational strategy, culture, and workforce needs.
- Flexibility: Bilingual delivery across in-person, virtual, or hybrid models.
- Proven expertise: A team of 40+ seasoned consultants/instructors with real-world leadership experience.
By combining training with strategic consulting, we enable you to train your employees in a way that is transformative to your workforce. Our goal is to help you create stronger teams, resilient leaders, and sustainable growth.
Ready to future-proof your workforce?
Ontario businesses are investing in training that goes beyond imparting skills. They are building stronger leaders, adaptable teams, and resilient organizations. Contact BEVA® today to discover tailored corporate training and consulting solutions designed to meet your business goals.
Resources:
https://www.mhrc.ca/psychological-health-and-safety-in-canadian-workplaces?
https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/workplace-well-being-research-2024.html?
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240705/dq240705a-eng.htm?
https://www.imarcgroup.com/canada-soft-skills-training-market?
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/221003/dq221003d-eng.htm?