higher education Archives - Polytechnics Canada

Program Preview: Parity of Esteem for the Skilled Trades

By Dr. David Burns, Laura McDonald | April 10, 2026

Polytechnic institutions play an important role when it comes to developing Canada’s skilled trades workforce, training some 70 per cent of apprentices actively progressing toward certification. Even more importantly, polytechnics are considering how best to support career progression and continuous learning. At Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), they are working to create new pathways for tradespeople into undergraduate education.

Polytechnics Canada caught up with Dr. David Burns, Associate Vice-President, Academic, and Laura McDonald, Dean of the Faculty of Trades and Technology, to learn more about KPU’s efforts to foster parity of esteem for skilled trades learners.

Program Preview: Building Skills for the Canadian Military

By Darlene O'Neill, Lieutenant-Colonel Carlo Tittarelli | April 9, 2026

Ahead of the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase, we connected with Fanshawe to discuss their session, Innovation in Education in Action: Canada’s First Post‑Secondary Military Co‑op. We sat down with Lieutenant-Colonel Carlo Tittarelli, Assistant Chief of Staff at the 31 Canadian Brigade Group, and Darlene O’Neill, Fanshawe’s Military Connected College Lead Administrator, to learn more about their partnership.

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Polytechnic Applied Research

January 26, 2026 | 491.02KB | Download pdf >

Applied research is an important way that Canada’s polytechnics support small- and mid-sized businesses that lack internal R&D resources. This four-page brief includes annual statistics gathered from our member institutions and provides ideas for how to maximize the impact of applied research in Canada.

Why investing in people is Canada’s most critical infrastructure project

By Sarah Watts-Rynard | November 28, 2025 | Originally featured in The Globe and Mail

In the face of a changing relationship with our southern neighbour, Canada is on the cusp of rewriting its trade, defence and infrastructure story for the next century. This will mean new investments and opportunities as the country aims to make itself more efficient and productive. Economic prosperity will rely, first and foremost, on enterprising Canadians putting their skills to work.

Ottawa’s blind spot on applied research makes productivity an afterthought

By Vincent Custode | November 11, 2025 | Originally featured in The Globe and Mail

Another federal budget has come and gone and, while there are investments worth applauding, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Canada missed the bigger picture.

Renewed investments in infrastructure and improvements to the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits are welcome. The proposed “super-deduction” to spur capital investment is also a step in the right direction.

Statement on the Release of the Federal Budget 2025

November 4, 2025

November 4, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – Polytechnics Canada acknowledges the federal government’s commitment to economic resilience and workforce development outlined in Budget 2025.

George Brown College changes name to stand out in crowded higher-education marketplace

By Joe Friesen | October 30, 2025 | Originally featured in The Globe and Mail

George Brown College is changing its name in order to differentiate itself in a crowded, and financially strained, higher-education marketplace.

The school’s new name will be George Brown Polytechnic. It plans to make the announcement Thursday morning.

It’s the third Ontario college to embrace the polytechnic name in the past two years, a time when the province’s colleges have been battered by cuts to international enrolment, program closings and job losses.

Building a stronger Canada requires people, partnerships and polytechnics

By Dr. Jeff Zabudsky | October 28, 2025 | Originally featured in the Vancouver Sun

Canada’s economic prosperity and global competitiveness depend on one critical factor: a highly skilled and resilient workforce.

The national unemployment rate rose to 7.1 per cent in August, the highest since 2016. We face an urgent and growing need to strengthen workforce participation, especially in the skilled trades.

Without immediate and co-ordinated actions of academia, industry and government, Canada risks falling short on its priorities and undermining both economic growth and social progress.

Tories pitch plan to address youth unemployment

By Meagan Gillmore | October 17, 2025 | Originally featured in Canadian Affairs

Organizations that work with post-secondary students are cautiously optimistic about a Conservative Party proposal to give more student aid to students enrolled in programs that prepare them for high-demand jobs.