News Articles

Students headed back to college and university already know they’ll be spending most of their time online because of COVID-19. But for some, video conferencing won’t be able to teach them all they need to know to be a nurse, ceramics maker, theatre professional, helicopter-engine repairer or carpenter, or a wide range of hands-on skills.

Read More > “Some courses simply can’t be taught online, say educators”

When it comes to tragedy, the human instinct is to assign blame. In the case of pandemic-induced deaths in Canada’s long-term care facilities, there are no end of culprits: governments for regulatory and oversight failures, owners and managers for poor employment practices, workers for abandoning their posts. Regardless of the direction the finger is pointing, the reality is that the senior population is growing, the cost of high-quality elder care is sky-rocketing and demographics dictate that the need for long-term care is here to stay.

Read More > “Elder care reform must start with skills training”

The important role of front-line workers has never been more apparent than over the last several weeks.

They include nurses and personal support workers, paramedics and other first responders, technology professionals and skilled tradespeople, and those working in advanced manufacturing or supplying us with food.

Read More > “Polytechnic education critical to the frontline workforce”

Since the outbreak began, polytechnics have responded – fast-tracking courses and expediting graduation for frontline healthcare workers, donating life-saving equipment to local hospitals and healthcare facilities, and supporting students’ mental and physical health. This page offers a snapshot of what Canada’s polytechnics are doing.

Read More > “Polytechnics and COVID-19”

After more than a month of silence following the October federal election, the Liberal government finally mapped out its intended policy directions for Canada’s 43rd parliament. The Speech from the Throne and mandate letters to cabinet ministers both made clear that responding to climate change will be a defining priority of this government.

Read More > “How polytechnics can help Canada achieve its climate agenda”

Canada faces uncertain times. Cross-party, pan-Canadian collaboration on big issues like innovation and workforce development is going to be essential to our future success.

Read More > “Time is now for the House to work together on new ways to tackle the country’s biggest issues”

With a host of transformational challenges putting pressure on labour markets today, a line from Robert Atkinson and Jeffrey Brown’s latest paper struck me: “Nothing about the future of work is inevitable.” Their paper, The Future of Work: A Guide for TransAtlantic Policymakers, is intended to reaffirm that in the face of structural change, coming impacts can be mitigated through dedicated effort and smart policy.

Read More > “Higher education’s next challenge: mid-career workers”

It seems everywhere you look, people are talking about transformation in Canadian workplaces. Robots, driverless cars and Internet-enabled machines are changing the nature of work.

Read More > “Canada’s polytechnics represent disruption in action”

It’s at polytechnics and colleges where businesses experiment with new technology, processes, and software. These institutions often put students to work on real-world business challenges.

Read More > “Polytechnics and colleges, natural allies to businesses, deserve more access to government funding”