noun
an institution of higher education providing technical, applied, hands-on learning; offering applied degrees, diplomas, certificates and apprenticeship training; fuelling business innovation with applied research expertise
Value and Impact
Polytechnics Canada is a non-profit association representing 13 leading research-intensive, publicly supported polytechnics and institutes of technology. We advocate for federal action in areas where polytechnics provide solutions for a more innovative, productive and globally competitive country. As a result, our advocacy priorities are related to:
Innovation & Productivity
Innovation & Productivity
Applied research at Canada’s polytechnics helps non-profit and business enterprises of all sizes find solutions to the challenges they face. In many cases, these projects are also supporting significant social advances from improving health and eldercare to boosting environmental sustainability.
Workforce Development
Workforce Development
Among Canada’s post-secondary institutions, polytechnics have proven themselves to be the most adaptable, agile and well-connected to industry. Polytechnics are focused on strategic workforce development, ensuring learners have the skills required to succeed.
Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity & Inclusion
Polytechnics are committed to creating equitable and inclusive places to study and work. Recognizing that the learning environment is enriched by those of various backgrounds and abilities, institutions offer programs and services to meet the needs of the students and communities they serve.
Applied Research Inventory
Applied research refers to an exceptionally broad range of innovation services that polytechnics offer business and community partners to advance new ideas or overcome challenges. Our applied research inventory is a searchable database showcasing the applied research expertise resident at our member institutions.
Latest News & Resources
Interested in learning more about the polytechnic advantage? Our resources bring the polytechnic model of education to life with examples of initiatives and partnerships underway across our member institutions.
Get Social with Polytechnics
An important announcement for the future of Canada’s skilled trades by Minister @PattyHajdu , hosted at @AlgonquinColleg !
Polytechnics Canada welcomes measures that help more young Canadians gain hands-on experience, access apprenticeships and complete their trades training.
How can first responders prepare for situations that are difficult, or dangerous, to recreate?
@FanshaweCollege is combining artificial intelligence, virtual reality, extended reality and motion capture to build immersive training environments.
The technology can adapt
For every $1 invested in polytechnic applied research, the return is an estimated $8.09–$18.49.
That’s just one finding from our report, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢’𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘴.
With 30 case studies
Land Acknowledgement
As a national association, Polytechnics Canada acknowledges that our offices are located on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation and that our members are located on the traditional territories of numerous Indigenous nations. We recognize there is much to learn on the path to reconciliation and that Canadian post-secondary institutions have a responsibility to be active participants. To learn how Canada’s polytechnics are supporting Indigenous inclusion on their campuses, click here.