Last week, Polytechnics Canada and the Presidents of Canada’s top polytechnic institutions met with Minister @PattyHajdu for an important conversation about strengthening Canada’s skills system and ensuring Canadians have the training they need to succeed in a changing economy. We discussed four key priorities: - Recognizing the central role of polytechnics in Team Canada Strong and in apprenticeship training, attraction and retention - Embedding polytechnics in Workforce Alliances so they are grounded in current employer needs, relevant curriculum and existing training capacity - Making mid-career upskilling more accessible - Building a coordinated defence-skills system that uses existing civilian training capacity Canada’s leading polytechnic institutions are ready to work with the federal government, employers and communities to turn these priorities into practical pathways for Canadians and to help build the skilled workforce Canada needs for a strong, resilient future. Thank you to Minister Hajdu for the opportunity to advance this important conversation. @AlgonquinColleg @bcit @ConestogaC @FanshaweCollege @GBPolytech @HumberPoly @KwantlenU @NAIT @RRC @SaskPolytech @SenecaPoly @sheridancollege @sait

As electric vehicles become more common, how can charging infrastructure work for everyone? @bcit ’s Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team is testing EV charging solutions for apartment buildings, curbsides and streetlights. Using full-scale demonstrations and feedback from users, the team is also helping inform Canada’s first national accessibility guidelines for EV charging infrastructure. Explore our Applied Research Inventory to find the labs, equipment and expertise that can support projects like this: polytechnicscanada.ca/applie…

An important announcement for the future of Canada’s skilled trades by Minister @PattyHajdu , hosted at @AlgonquinColleg ! Polytechnics Canada welcomes measures that help more young Canadians gain hands-on experience, access apprenticeships and complete their trades training. With Canada facing significant demand for skilled trades workers, strengthening pathways from education and training into the workforce is critical. Canada's leading polytechnics play a major role in helping Canadians enter and succeed in the skilled trades. Through hands-on education, apprenticeship training, industry partnerships and employer-connected learning, polytechnics, like Algonquin College, help bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. Learn more about the Team Canada Strong announcement: canada.ca/en/employment-soci…

How can first responders prepare for situations that are difficult, or dangerous, to recreate? @FanshaweCollege is combining artificial intelligence, virtual reality, extended reality and motion capture to build immersive training environments. The technology can adapt scenarios based on a learner’s decisions, track performance and provide feedback to strengthen readiness. Researchers are also studying stress, recovery and long-term wellness, helping connect operational training with the wellbeing of those who serve. Explore our Applied Research Inventory to find the labs, equipment and expertise that can support projects like this: polytechnicscanada.ca/applie…

For every $1 invested in polytechnic applied research, the return is an estimated $8.09–$18.49. That’s just one finding from our report, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢’𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘴. With 30 case studies and data from industry partners,@NSERC_CRSNG and @StatCan_eng , the report showcases how applied research is helping Canadian businesses strengthen R&D capacity, improve competitiveness, create jobs and drive innovation. With 85%+ of partners being small- and mid-sized businesses, polytechnics are helping industry partners overcome barriers to R&D and turn ideas into impact. 📄 Explore the report and the stories behind the numbers: polytechnicscanada.ca/resour…

An important moment for Canada–Ukraine relations, and a meaningful one for Canada’s polytechnic sector. Yesterday, Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at @sait as Canada and Ukraine continued to deepen their partnership on security, defence and industrial capacity. The visit also offered a timely reminder of the role polytechnics play in supporting these ambitions through applied expertise, skilled talent and close industry collaboration, building on a long history of contributing to Canada’s national capability. As this agenda moves forward, polytechnics stand ready to contribute the expertise, infrastructure and partnerships needed to help deliver on it. Read more here: pm.gc.ca/en/news/speeches/20…

Great episode! Terrific to see RRC Polytech centre stage! @PolyCan

Canada’s workforce challenges require us to think differently about skills, labour mobility and training. @SarahWRynard , CEO of Polytechnics Canada, joined @therundowntvo yesterday to discuss the importance of free trade and labour mobility across provinces - including strengthening east-west mobility across Canada. She also highlighted the growing need for skilled tradespeople in the Canadian Armed Forces, and the critical role that polytechnics and apprenticeship systems can play in meeting Canada’s workforce needs. Canada has the talent. We need to make it easier for people to train, move, complete and contribute wherever their skills are needed most. 🎥Watch Sarah's appearance on the panel here: piped.video/watch?v=lGYGU6Pm…

Breaking down interprovincial trade barriers isn't just about moving products, it's about making life easier for Canadians. @RyanManucha (@CDHoweInstitute) tells @JeyanTVO why labour mobility matters, tonight at 8pm with @SarahWRynard (@PolyCan) | Producer: Mike Attenborough

Congratulations to @NAIT on breaking ground on this landmark investment! 🎉 The Advanced Skills Centre is a powerful example of what it takes to build Canada’s skilled workforce: sustained investment in polytechnic infrastructure, hands-on learning and the advanced training that employers and communities need. This is more than a capital project - it’s an investment in Alberta’s and Canada’s economic future 🛠️

Congratulations to @SaskPolytech on this incredible investment in the future of education and early childhood learning! Polytechnics Canada applauds Wally and Colleen Mah, co-owners of @northridgeyxe , for their generous $500,000 gift to the Time to Rise campaign for the new Joseph A. Remai Saskatoon Campus. Their support will help create the North Ridge Creativity Zone and provide Early Childhood Education students with an inspiring space to learn, create and prepare for the next generation. Philanthropic leadership like this makes a lasting difference in our communities. Thank you for investing in students, innovation and the future of Canada’s workforce!

Canada’s defence readiness depends on understanding today’s labour market and building strong connections between employers, education and training providers, and the communities they serve. Join Polytechnics Canada and the @LMIC_CIMT for an important conversation on how labour market information, workforce planning and education-to-employment pathways can help strengthen Canada’s defence workforce and national resilience. The webinar will also feature a case study from @FanshaweCollege , highlighting how polytechnics are responding to evolving workforce needs and helping build the talent Canada needs. Don’t miss this timely discussion on connecting labour market intelligence to workforce . 📅 September 15 🕛 12:00 PM ET Register for this free webinar and join the conversation: webinars.lmic-cimt.ca/how-po…

Canada’s top polytechnics are at the heart of trusted innovation networks – bringing together people, talent, technology and industry to turn ideas into impact. @SarahWRynard , CEO of Polytechnics Canada, will join leaders from across Canada’s innovation ecosystem at the 2026 @CANARIE_Inc Summit to explore how trusted connections are accelerating skills development, applied research, commercialization and economic growth. Sarah will bring the polytechnic perspective to the conversation and highlight how strong partnerships turn ideas into impact and talent into opportunity. Don’t miss the conversation with Sarah at the 2026 CANARIE Summit! 👇 canarie.ca/event/canariesumm…

What can Canada and Ireland teach each other about the future of applied higher education? Our newly released report, 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢-𝘐𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴, explores that question. The report highlights lessons and early results from eight joint projects between some of Canada's top polytechnics, like @HumberPoly and @NAIT , and Irish technological universities and institutes of technology, like @SETUIreland and @DkIT_ie 💻 From AI and digital transformation to flexible learning, faculty development and student engagement, the report showcases how international collaboration can accelerate innovation and turn shared challenges into practical solutions. 📘Read 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢-𝘐𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 to discover what we’re learning and what comes next: polytechnicscanada.ca/resour…

What if we thought of September not just as the start of the school year, but as an investment in Canada's future? @bcit President Dr. Jeff Zabudsky and others make a compelling case for why post-secondary education should be viewed as essential economic infrastructure - developing the talent, skills and innovation that drive prosperity. Canada's leading polytechnic institutions do more than educate. They foster applied learning, develop industry partnerships and hands-on innovation that directly connects learners to the workforce and the challenges ahead. Read the full @timescolonist op-ed to learn why investing in learners is an investment in a stronger, more prosperous future 👇 timescolonist.com/opinion/co…

Canada's top polytechnic institutions are at the forefront of business innovation, technology adoption and developing a future-ready workforce. From @AlgonquinColleg in the east to @KwantlenU in the west, to every polytechnic in between, these institutions are where Canadians go to become skilled and ready for the present and future workforce. Polytechnic institutions are leaders in: ✔️Driving digital adoption ✔️Training Canadians for work in critical occupations ✔️Supporting the green transition ✔️Fostering business innovation ✔️Propelling productivity It's all in the polytechnic DNA. Check our our video here: piped.video/watch?v=3yM4N6r-…

Applied research at Canada's leading polytechnic institutions is delivering measurable economic and social impact across the country. Our report, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢’𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘴, examines the economic and social value generated through applied research collaborations at our member institutions. The findings are compelling: 💡Every $1 invested in polytechnic applied research generates an estimated $8.09 to $18.49 return on investment 💡51% of project partners reported increased R&D capability, while 48% achieved improved competitiveness 💡12% of partners reported creating new jobs as a result of their applied research collaboration Read the report here: polytechnicscanada.ca/resour…

Canada’s defence and security workforce is evolving, and so is the role of post-secondary education. Join Polytechnics Canada and the @LMIC_CIMT for a joint webinar exploring how polytechnics and colleges are responding to emerging workforce needs in areas such as advanced manufacturing, aviation, cybersecurity, applied technology and skilled trades. We’ll explore how institutions are: ✔️Adapting programs to meet evolving defence workforce needs ✔️Using labour market information to shape training pathways ✔️Partnering with employers, government and the defence sector ✔️Building workforce readiness and long-term resilience Join us for our webinar on September 15 at 12:00 PM (ET)! Register here: webinars.lmic-cimt.ca/how-po…

What if emergency medical supplies and care could reach remote communities by drone? Researchers at @sait ’s Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems are working with @UCalgary partners to make that possible. The project combines drones, medical equipment, remote guidance and point-of-care testing to support emergency care in Indigenous communities and other hard-to-reach locations. By reducing travel time and overcoming distance, this work could help make emergency healthcare faster and more accessible. Explore our Applied Research Inventory to find the labs, equipment and expertise that can support projects like this: polytechnicscanada.ca/applie…