Priorities > Skills and talent

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.

Employees discuss work around a table.

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manager explaining task

Learn how Ontario Tech University’s Automotive Centre of Excellence is driving world-leading research and development in a rapidly changing automotive industry here.

Image: Woman sitting in a computer lab. Text: Helping Canadians adapt to changing workforce needs With rapidly changing technologies and a shifting Alberta economy, Andrea Vega recognized the need for skilled experts in the cybersecurity field and left her job in real estate to pursue a new career path.

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.

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Back to school

First-generation students, as the first in their families to attend university, show true resilience and determination in pursuing higher education. Canadian universities are here to back them up every step of the way, offering transformative education and essential support to help these students thrive and become tomorrow’s leaders.

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.

Bar chart illustrating the proportion of tasks susceptible to automation in occupations, by educational attainment. No certificate, diploma or degree (49.5%); high school (46.8%); apprenticeship/trades certificate/diploma (51.8%); college, cegep or other non-university (41.5%); university below bachelor's (37.1%); above bachelor's (26.6%). 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.

  • 93%
    of WIL graduates are employed

    93% of students who participated in work-integrated learning were employed after graduating with 91% finding jobs related to their studies.

    Source: 2023 Data Report, CEWIL Canada, 2023.
  • 74%
    benefit from work-integrated learning

    74% of bachelor’s students who participated in a work-integrated learning opportunity said it helped them find a job after graduation.

    Source: Work-integrated learning participation during postsecondary education (Table 37-10-0249-01, Statistics Canada, 2024.
  • 5.6K
    work-integrated learning programs

    80 universities across Canada offer over 5,600 work-integrated learning programs (including co-ops, apprenticeships and internships).

    Source: 2023 Data Report, CEWIL Canada, 2023.

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.

  • 62%
    of study abroad participants found career direction

    62% of participants found studying abroad provided direction for their post-graduation plans.

    Source: Canada and the World: Results of the CBIE Learning Abroad Survey Initiative, Canadian Bureau for International Education, 2024.
  • 84%
    found increased global networks

    84% of study abroad participants increased their professional network outside of Canada.

    Source: Canada and the World: Results of the CBIE Learning Abroad Survey Initiative, Canadian Bureau for International Education, 2024.
  • 89%
    feel more adaptable

    89% of study abroad participants feel more adaptable in diverse contexts due to their international experience.

    Source: Canada and the World: Results of the CBIE Learning Abroad Survey Initiative, Canadian Bureau for International Education, 2024.

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