News Articles

A sustainability-focused approach to combatting environmental degradation and resource scarcity is now critical. It is no longer viable to consume the world’s natural resources or develop our natural landscape in the manner of the last century. At current rates of fossil fuel consumption, climate models predict that Earth’s global average temperature will rise an additional 4°C (7.2°F) during the 21st Century, threatening coastal cities, increasing the frequency of natural disasters and heightening the risk of extinction among numerous plant and animal species (UCAR, 2022).

Read More > “Regenerative Revolution: How Canadian Polytechnics are Leading the Charge”

The job market in British Columbia has faced its share of challenges. The effects of the pandemic and rising inflation have led to acute labour shortages as employers across all sectors face difficulties finding and keeping skilled workers. Meanwhile, many job seekers are rethinking their investment in higher education or re-evaluating their career path entirely.

Read More > “Flexible post-secondary education key to closing skills gap in B.C.”

Over the course of the last few years, there has been a drastic restructuring of the Canadian labour force. Businesses across sectors are contending with labour shortages and widening skills gaps.

According to a recent Statistics Canada report, 56.1 per cent of businesses say their workforce is not operating at the level required; 60.3 per cent report existing skills gaps are negatively impacting business.

So, what can be done? Plenty.

Read More > “Canadians know they need new skills — now governments need to step up to make training accessible, affordable and timely”

Another “back to school” season is upon us — but education is not for youth alone. The World Economic Forum estimates that half of all employees globally will need re-skilling by 2025. The fall reminds us that learning is lifelong, and the invitation is open to everyone.

Yet Canada needs to remove a few critical barriers to lifelong learning.

Read More > “‘Back to school’ can mean you too — if we remove barriers to lifelong learning”

Considering a career change? Canada will soon need many more skilled technicians and tradespeople to usher in a new era of transportation.

We are in the midst of an energy revolution. By 2030, the International Energy Agency expects there will be 145 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road globally. But where are the charging stations needed to power them, or the skilled workers to service them? Currently, Canada does not have the infrastructure required to sustain the projected influx.

Read More > “Canada is not ready for the coming electric vehicle revolution. Here’s what we need to do”

When we talk about creating more inclusive workplaces, this effort is most often framed as a moral imperative. In other words, we should strive for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) because it is the right thing to do. This is absolutely true and it can form the normative basis for action and results. However, it is not the only reason we need to actualize EDI in our workforce. There is also an economic and social prosperity imperative – a business and social case, if you will – for building a society and labour market that empowers all Canadians to contribute, participate, and thrive.

Read More > “The ROI on EDI”

Polytechnic institutions have been pioneers for developing microcredentials, stackable credentials, and other programs that don’t come with a four-year degree. This focus on digestible, shorter credentials, is preparing graduates for the workforce like never before. 

Read More > “Polytechnic institutions paved the way for microcredentials”

For the last two years, Canadians—and indeed the world well beyond our borders—have been focused on COVID-19. Yet, even before the pandemic upended our everyday lives, Canada’s economy and labour market were undergoing a significant transformation. New technology, demographic shifts and industrial transformations were already affecting the supply and demand for talent.

Despite months of economic turmoil, today’s call for skilled workers is increasingly urgent. Businesses and governments recognize that today’s workers must bring a combination of talents to the table—technical skills, an innovation mindset and tremendous resilience to change.

Read More > “Practical innovation: Beyond COVID”

Although Canada’s immediate priority is finishing the fight against COVID-19, we must not lose sight of the challenges on the horizon. An aging population will require new approaches to and solutions for healthcare. Achieving net-zero emissions to fight climate change will impact every sector of the economy. Indigenous reconciliation requires an intentional effort and the resources to support it. Layered across these issues, technological disruption is rampant in an increasingly digital world.

Read More > “Applied research in post-pandemic Canada”