Innovation is, at its core, about the people who solve problems, find new approaches and drive value creation. This makes it essential to focus on developing and deploying talent, especially at a time when Canada is rewriting its trade, defence and infrastructure story for the next century.

That’s where polytechnics deliver exceptional value. Through long-standing community and industry partnerships, these educational institutions have the pulse of what society needs.

Polytechnics address critical gaps in Canada’s workforce, training people for health care, skilled trades, information technology, and tourism occupations, among others. Graduates leave these programs with both the confidence and the competence to hit the ground running.

While a strong talent pipeline – enabled by programs that evolve over time to meet new and emerging challenges – goes a long way towards delivering societal outcomes across the county, the impact of polytechnics goes far beyond.

The same connections that inform strategic workforce programming also serve as a powerful catalyst for innovation, where applied research partnerships deliver real impact for businesses of all sizes and for communities. In our recent research, we found that for every $1 invested in polytechnic applied research, projects generated between $8 and $18 in economic and social returns.

With a focus on driving impact with near-to-market solutions and addressing critical industry and community needs, polytechnics work to bridge the gap between their academic programs and commercial application. They deliver solutions such as prototype development, field testing and technology adoption to small and medium-sized enterprises. This doesn’t only benefit the small employers that make up 99 per cent of the Canadian business community, but it is an excellent way to engage students in solving real-world problems in tandem with industry. Among other benefits, this helps learners establish employer networks well before they graduate.

Polytechnics across the country are vital for building a skilled and ready workforce and delivering applied research solutions that help businesses and communities succeed.

With the right support, polytechnics will help advance our national ambitions and generate benefits for all Canadians.