Skills for today and tomorrow
At a time of rapid technological, economic and social change, Canadians face new and complex challenges impacting the way they live and work. Learn how universities are equipping Canadians to succeed in the new economy and tackle the biggest challenges facing our communities, country and our world.
Equipping Canadians for the changing nature of work
Universities are vital to preparing Canadians of all backgrounds and ages for the jobs and economy of today and tomorrow. While many jobs are at risk of automation in the coming decades, several studies show that university graduates will be best able to adapt to an automated future.
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Job-ready graduates
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.
- Four out of five employers surveyed say co-op and internship students are a source of new talent and potential future employees. Source: Leger Marketing employer survey for Universities Canada, 2014.
- 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.Source: Canadian University Survey Consortium, Graduating University Student Survey, 2018.
- Enrolment in co-op programs at universities has jumped by 25% in recent years, from 53,000 students in 2006 to 65,000 students in 2013. Source: Based on data from the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education, 2006-2013.
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Supporting workers at every stage of their career
Supporting workers at every stage of their career
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.
- Nearly 9 out of 10 employed Canadians agree that lifelong learning is crucial for career success. Source: Ipsos poll on behalf of Royal Roads University, October 2016.
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Keeping Canada's workforce competitive
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.
- 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. Source: Study Group on Global Education, Global Education for Canadians: Equipping Young Canadians to Succeed at Home & Abroad, November 2017.
- More than 80% of employers that hire graduates with international and intercultural experience say these recruits enhance their company’s competitiveness. Source: Leger Marketing employer survey for Universities Canada, 2014.
- Graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds who were mobile during their degree earned, on average, 6.1% more than those with no global experience. Source: Gone International: Mobility Works, Universities UK International, March 2, 2017.
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Nurturing entrepreneurship
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.
- Entrepreneurship drives Canada’s economy and 58% of Canadian entrepreneurs are university students or graduates. Source: Universities Canada and Startup Canada, Joint survey, 2017.
- Canadian universities are home to more than 60 business incubators, accelerators and start-up programs that help fuel Canada’s entrepreneurial economic growth. Source: Universities Canada and Startup Canada, Joint survey, 2017.
- 40% of student/graduate entrepreneurs have taken a university entrepreneurship program or course.Source: Universities Canada and Startup Canada, Joint survey, 2017.
Made-in-Canada solutions to today’s big challenges
University research and innovation are vital to our social and economic development and the well-being of all Canadians. Support for our research ecosystem will prepare the next generation of researchers and innovators to tackle the biggest challenges facing us today and tomorrow – and fuel Canadian prosperity.
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Fostering Canadian innovation and building prosperity
Fostering Canadian innovation and building prosperity
University research and development (R&D) partnerships with industry and support for entrepreneurship fuel innovation, grow Canada’s economy and increase our global competitiveness.
- Universities conducted $1.1B in research for business in 2017, helping companies build their competitive advantages.
Source: Statistics Canada, Gross Domestic Expenditures on R&D in Canada, 2016 - Canadian universities are R&D powerhouses. Canada’s higher education institutions performed $13.5B in R&D in 2017, accounting for 41% of total Canadian research and development. Source: Statistics Canada, Gross Domestic Expenditures on R&D in Canada, 2016
- There are 1,800 companies and government labs located in 26 university research and technology parks across Canada. These employ almost 65,000 people and generate $4.3B in GDP. Source: Association of University Research Parks, National Impact Study, 2013
- Universities conducted $1.1B in research for business in 2017, helping companies build their competitive advantages.
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Enabling big breakthroughs
Enabling big breakthroughs
Discovery research has been behind some of the most lucrative and life-saving discoveries of the past century – from vaccines to lasers to the World Wide Web. Today’s it’s driving advances in areas like artificial intelligence, clean energy and building construction.
- 89% of Canadians believe the best way to ensure Canada is a leader in innovation is to invest in fundamental or basic science. Source: Abacus Data, Universities, Research & Canadian Public Opinion, 2017
- Learn more about Canadian university research that’s improving lives at home and around the world.
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Developing world-class researchers
Developing world-class researchers
Canadian researchers are improving our quality of life and tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our country and our world – from supporting economic development in rural communities, to finding new ways to address mental health issues and homelessness. A successful research ecosystem includes well-supported researchers from all fields of research, including social sciences, design, arts, humanities, natural sciences, engineering and health sciences.
- 92% of Canadians believe Canada must support young, talented and diverse researchers to retain top Canadian talent. Source: Abacus Data, Universities, Research & Canadian Public Opinion, 2017
- More than 90% of Canadians support the value of Canadian research across a range of priorities: medical breakthroughs, food security, climate change, cyber security, economic support for lower-and middle-income Canadians, and livable cities. Source: Abacus Data, Universities, Research & Canadian Public Opinion, 2017
- Meet Canadian researchers and innovators improving the lives of Canadians and people around the world.
- Get the latest university research news.
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Creating healthier communities
Creating healthier communities
Universities are essential to providing world-class health care for all Canadians and tackling growing pressures on Canada’s health care system. University research drives technological advancements in medical diagnostics and treatments – from earlier detection of illness, to less invasive treatments, to improve long term outcomes for patients. It develops innovative approaches to disease prevention and management that improve quality of life for Canadians and ease the burden of chronic disease. And it optimizes health system management with new strategies to improve access to health services for all Canadians and increase efficiency and sustainability.
- 70% of Canadians want the federal government to prioritize investments in Canada’s health care system to meet the needs of an aging population. Source: Organizations for Health Action (HEAL) and Abacus Data, Political Attitudes on Federal Involvement on Seniors and Mental Health, November 2018.