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Polytechnic Applied Research

October 7, 2026 | 464.25KB | Download pdf >

Canada’s polytechnics are powerful engines of innovation, helping businesses transform ideas into practical solutions that improve productivity, competitiveness and quality of life. Through industry-driven applied research, they provide businesses with access to specialized expertise, facilities and talent to test technologies, develop products and accelerate commercialization. The results are significant: 51% of partners report increased R&D capacity and 48% report improved competitiveness, demonstrating the tangible value these collaborations deliver to Canadian businesses.  

With greater investment, polytechnics can deliver even more for Canada. In 2025–26, members worked with 2,825 business and community partners, engaged 16,275 students and undertook 4,166 applied research projects spanning sectors from artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, agri-food and national defence. Re-balancing federal research funding and investing in applied research capacity would enable polytechnics to help more businesses innovate, strengthen Canada’s commercialization pipeline and prepare the next generation of talent to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

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.

The skilled trades boom — and bottleneck

By Seth Forward | September 30, 2026 | Originally featured in Canadian Affairs

After finishing a general arts degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2005, Martin Severino spent years working nomadically as a treeplanter and golf pro. Eventually, at 35, he decided to pivot to the skilled trades and chose to settle in his hometown of Kingston, Ont.

To his surprise, getting qualified and employed as an electrician was not easy.

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Can Canada break its dependence on the U.S.?

By The Rundown on TVO | September 9, 2026 | Originally featured on TVO Today

As Canada looks for ways to reduce its economic dependence on the United States, what options are on the table? The Rundown examines efforts to remove interprovincial trade barriers and improve labour mobility across the country, with Sarah Watts-Rynard of Polytechnics Canada and Ryan Manucha of the C.D. Howe Institute. Then, could a proposed east-west oil pipeline help strengthen Canada’s energy security and economy? Oil market researcher Rory Johnston breaks down the potential benefits, costs, and challenges of a project being championed as a nation-building initiative by Premiers Doug Ford and Danielle Smith.

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Insights from Canada-Ireland Collaborative Projects

August 31, 2026 | 5.43MB | Download pdf >

In November 2024, Polytechnics Canada and Ireland’s Higher Education Authority formalized a shared commitment to strengthen collaboration between Canadian polytechnics and Irish technological universities and institutes of technology. This partnership was grounded in a mutual recognition of common priorities, including advancing teaching and learning practices, supporting applied research and preparing learners with the skills needed to address global challenges such as digital transformation and the green transition.

Building on initial discussions in 2023, the partnership progressed through reciprocal visits to institutions in Ireland and Canada, leading to the launch of eight joint projects in September 2025. These projects, funded through a combined investment of nearly €800,000, represent the broader effort to explore new models of collaboration, innovation and delivery in applied higher education.

In April 2026, a virtual event was held for project leads to share progress and insights with peers. This event encouraged cross-project dialogue, allowed participants to learn from one another and find commonalities to enrich all projects.

The document summarizes key insights from the first phase of the collaboration and highlights progress to-date.

Canada has a terrible track record for retaining apprentices in the skilled trades

By Hannah Hunter | June 29, 2026 | Originally featured in the Hamilton Spectator

With a major federal investment in the skilled trades earlier this spring, it is time for governments in Canada to pay attention to the nuts and bolts of apprenticeship training, ensuring those who take up the tools to build this country make it to the finish line.

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Building Canada’s Skilled Trades Workforce

By Peter Leclaire, Patti Hergott | June 15, 2026 | 490.9KB | Download pdf >

As Canada increases its investment in nation-building infrastructure, the success of these projects will depend on a strong pipeline of skilled talent.  Polytechnics Canada caught up with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to discuss how expanding training capacity through its Advanced Skills Centre (ASC) is helping address skilled trades labour shortages.

Peter Leclaire, Vice-President, Academic, and Patti Hergott, Associate Vice-President, Academic Quality & Operational Excellence, explored the evolving role of polytechnic institutions in preparing the next generation of trades professionals.

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AI-Driven Advanced Manufacturing

By Dr. Ethan Shen, Dr. El Sayed Mahmoud, Madushen Paramanathan | June 8, 2026 | 1014.6KB | Download pdf >

Polytechnics are key to bridging industrial needs with cutting-edge research and talent development in Canada’s manufacturing sector.  Sheridan’s session at the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase, Bridging the Productivity Gap: Scalable AI-Robotics Integration through Collaboration, highlighted how AI-driven automation can resolve production bottlenecks while training the next generation of engineers.

Polytechnics Canada connected with Dr. Ethan Shen, Research Manager, Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing, Dr. El Sayed Mahmoud, Professor of Computer Science, and Madushen Paramanathan, Student Research Assistant, to learn more about the polytechnic-industry partnership between Sheridan and Rex Power Magnetics.

Read More > “AI-Driven Advanced Manufacturing”