Skills and talent
Universities equip Canadians with skills for today and tomorrow.
With many jobs at risk of automation, several studies show that university graduates will be best able to adapt to an automated future.
Spotlight on
Learn how Ontario Tech University’s Automotive Centre of Excellence is driving world-leading research and development in a rapidly changing automotive industry here.
Learn about the cybersecurity certificate program launched by Mount Royal University and York University to prepare students for one of the world’s fastest-growing technology fields here.
Building resilience
Universities are innovating in teaching and learning, providing crucial hands-on and international learning experiences, and helping Canadians at every stage of their careers forge new pathways to opportunity.
Source: Upskilling and Reskilling: Examining Universities’ Role in Mid-Career Worker Resilience in the New Age of Work by Dan Munro.
Job-ready graduates
Work-integrated learning programs, like co-ops, internships and practicums provide students with experience working in their field and the opportunity to start building their professional networks before entering the job market. Universities support the call by the Canadian Business/Higher Education Roundtable for access to work-integrated learning for 100 percent of Canadian postsecondary students.
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80%of employers
Four out of five employers surveyed say co-op and internship students are a source of new talent and potential future employees.
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56%benefit from hands-on learning
More than half of today’s undergraduates benefit from experiential learning – such as co-ops, internships and service learning – as part of their university education.
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25%growth in co-ops
Enrolment in co-op programs at universities has jumped by 25 percent in recent years, from 53,000 students in 2006 to 65,000 students in 2013.
Supporting workers at every stage of their careers
Canadians at varying stages in their careers will need support adapting to the future of work. Universities are embracing the chance to help mid-career professionals up-skill and re-skill with flexible programs that help students stay competitive.
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90%of employed Canadians value lifelong learning
Nearly 9 out of 10 employed Canadians agree that lifelong learning is crucial for career success.
Keeping Canada’s workforce competitive
International learning experiences equip students with the 21st century skills they need to adjust to the shifting nature of work – abilities like problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration and communication with people from other backgrounds. Canada’s business leaders know these competencies give them an important competitive edge.
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11%study abroad
Only 11% of Canadian undergraduates undertake an international mobility experience over the course of their degree, despite the clear benefits of global study to building future skills.
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80%see career benefit
More than 80% of employers that hire graduates with international and intercultural experience say these recruits enhance their company’s competitiveness.
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6.1%more in earnings
Graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds who were mobile during their degree earned, on average, 6.1% more than those with no global experience.
Nurturing entrepreneurship
Canada’s universities nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of students across disciplines, help incubate students’ business ideas and spin-off hundreds of new companies every year – driving Canadian business development and fueling economies across the country.
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58%of entrepreneurs have a university degree
Entrepreneurship drives Canada’s economy and 58% of Canadian entrepreneurs are university students or graduates.
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60university entrepreneurial hubs
Canadian universities are home to more than 60 business incubators, accelerators and start-up programs that help fuel Canada’s entrepreneurial economic growth.
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40%of student entrepreneurs took an entrepreneurship program
40% of student/graduate entrepreneurs have taken a university entrepreneurship program or course.
Made-in-Canada solutions
Through creativity, tenacity and passion, Canadian researchers are tackling the big challenges facing our communities and or world – from climate change, to life-threatening disease, to migration.
