Events

From improving healthcare to confronting climate change, polytechnics are addressing some of today’s most intractable challenges. Institutions are uniquely positioned to respond to the fast pace of change, with a front-row seat to industry’s most pressing talent and productivity challenges. Polytechnics are delivering pragmatic, scalable solutions to drive innovation and support the wellbeing of the communities they serve.

Canada’s polytechnics play a critical role in the country’s productivity and innovation ecosystem. From applied research capacity to developing innovation skills in learners, polytechnics are critical contributors to personal, social and economic growth. Home to state-of-the-art facilities, programs and industry experts, polytechnics are fueling the future. This includes advancements across economic sectors, from the smallest start-up to multi-national firms, from energy and construction to healthcare and the environment.

A hallmark of polytechnic education is its ability to adapt to industry needs. With the pace of change increasing, employers are looking to their polytechnic partners to both provide a responsive talent pipeline and be a step ahead of emerging trends. In addition to developing highly skilled graduates, polytechnics are leading the way as workplaces transform and shift, responding to new skill requirements and helping partners to innovate in an environment of uncertainty.

With labour shortages emerging across Canada in various sectors, our economic recovery will rely on the ability of Canadians and their employers to embrace lifelong learning. On April 25, the Canadian Club of Ottawa hosted a critical panel discussion on how Canada can bridge the skill gap to excel in the rapidly changing future economy.

One of Canada’s most urgent requirements is ensuring the next generation of graduates is ready to lead the green transition, with the sector estimating a need for nearly 250,000 workers by 2029. In partnership with ECO Canada, Sheridan’s Dr. Janet Morrison and Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Dr. Larry Rosia discuss how today’s students will be active participants in Canada’s green economy.

To ensure critical trades and technology talent is added to the workforce unimpeded, Canada’s polytechnics have transformed the delivery of training programs to embrace remote and online approaches in combination with hands-on lab work. In partnership with Skills/Compétences Canada, Humber’s Dr. Chris Whitaker and NAIT’s Laura Jo Gunter discuss the evolution of polytechnic skilled trades and technology training.

With people living and working longer, the traditional school-to-work-to-retirement pathway may be insufficient to deal with an accelerated pace of change in the workplace. Here, systems and programs are needed to navigate and support worker-learners. Fanshawe’s Peter Devlin joins author Michelle Weise to discuss the new urgency for lifelong learning.

As Canada transitions to a green economy, success will depend on a globally competitive workforce to develop, build, operate and repair new systems and infrastructure. In partnership with Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery, RRC Polytech’s Fred Meier, BCIT’s Dr. Tom Roemer and Mohawk College’s Ron McKerlie engage in a post-budget discussion about how polytechnics and colleges are contributing to Canada’s resilient recovery.