Government needs to be thinking about smart investments to make applied education safe and accessible
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. These have been the people with the skills and know-how…
They offer industry-relevant programs, equipment and facilities that ready learners for a constantly changing workplace
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. An aging population is putting unprecedented pressure on health-care services and leading to shortages in sectors where retirements are outpacing available young people with the necessary skills. The world around…
Let’s unlock their full potential with greater and more consistent government funding
By Sarah Watts-Rynard and Denise Amyot Canada is at an innovation crossroads. Productivity measures have long lagged our international counterparts and our small businesses often lack the internal resources to fulfil their potential. Developing new prototypes, adopting new technologies and designing new processes takes time, money and human resources. As Canada’s economic engines, small and mid-sized…
Don’t leave the skilled trades out of Canada’s innovation conversation. High-tech isn't just about apps – it's also about developing apprentices
By Nobina Robinson Polytechnics Canada and Sarah Watts-Rynard Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Canada’s economic landscape is changing. Look no further than the March 22 federal budget and follow the money. Big chunks of funding will be delivered to the likes of artificial intelligence (AI), clean tech, the digital economy and agri-food. Lost in the budget, however,…