April 30, 2026

The Government of Canada has proposed $6B in funding across several initiatives in response to a shortage of skilled trades workers in the country. Part of its Spring Economic Update 2026, the initiatives support the plan to recruit, train, and hire 80,000–100,000 Red Seal trades workers by 2030–31. One third of the $6B is slated for the new Team Canada Strong plan, which will provide opportunities for youth aged 15–30 to gain trades-related work experience that will lead into apprenticeships. Additional initiatives include wage incentives for businesses, $400 weekly Apprenticeship Grants while apprentices are in college or a training centre, and the streamlining of the pathway to Red Seal certification.

Centennial College, Durham College, Georgian College, Humber Polytechnic, and Ontario Tech University have signed an MOU to create a consortium on clean energy workforce development. The Canadian Clean Energy Workforce Consortium will be guided by an industry advisory council and will support training and upskilling in several areas relevant to clean energy development including skilled trades, nuclear operations, and renewable energy systems. Representatives from the institutions highlighted the need for a coordinated and industry-aligned approach to training in the sector, saying that the consortium positions Canada for a clean energy future. The consortium plans to expand to other institutions outside of Ontario, as well as supporting workforce training programs in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Université de Sherbrooke has launched its Centre of Excellence for Low-Carbon Concrete, a hub designed to research and accelerate the use of low greenhouse gas cementitious materials. Considering the low costs and established practices associated with traditional concrete, Centre of Excellence for Low-Carbon Concrete Director Arezki Tagnit-Hamou explained that the centre will support a needed “paradigm shift.” “We are creating a forum that truly includes all key stakeholders in the construction sector: manufacturers, scientists, governments, accreditation bodies, and organizations,” said Tagnit-Hamou. As a part of its work, the centre will also collaborate with the mining sector to find uses for byproducts which may be incorporated into new types of concrete to create a circular economy.

Toronto Metropolitan University has received a $10M gift from the McCall MacBain Foundation. This donation will create the McCall MacBain Community Health Awards, which will provide at least 30 students each year in select programs with renewable funding so that they can complete their studies. “Financial barriers connected to the costs of education remain the primary obstacle to postsecondary success,” said TMU President Mohamed Lachemi. “By alleviating some of the financial stress, we will ensure that a student’s potential is not limited by their economic circumstances.” TMU says that this is the largest single investment the university has received to support student scholarships.

A new Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report highlights the barriers facing Indigenous and racialized students in Manitoba. The report summarizes the results of a study following 27 alumni of a Community Education Development Association Pathways to Education program as they navigated applying to and entering postsecondary education. The report identified four key barriers faced by participants: financial hardship, intergenerational trauma, difficulty navigating the postsecondary system, and institutional racism. To remove these barriers, the report suggested several measures including increased financial and housing supports, increased educational support beyond high school, mental health services, and decolonization of postsecondary education.

Ontario Tech University and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have partnered to bring Ontario Tech’s Nuclear Career Accelerator program to Western Canada. The 11-week program is designed for mid-level engineering and technical professionals looking to advance in or enter the nuclear energy profession. Under this agreement, Sask Polytech will be the program’s exclusive delivery partner in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The partners noted that the program arrangement is also part of the development of Sask Polytech’s Western Canadian Nuclear Training Centre.

In a recent article for Nature, Geraint Rees (University College London) and James Wilsdon (UC London) discuss the issues posed when applicants use agentic AI to generate, review, and submit research grants. The authors explain that AI agents offer great productivity gains for those looking to submit research grant proposals, but that this comes at the cost of flooding grant funding organizations with similar applications. In order to avoid a situation in which funders are arbitrarily awarding funding, the authors call for a shift away from written proposals. Instead, they recommend selecting projects for funding base on research performance assessments of the principal investigators and research teams, interviews, and portfolio-based assessments.

Cambrian College has launched the Careers Pathways Program to help students with developmental, intellectual, or learning challenges access education. This part-time, one-year certificate will prepare students to transition to the workplace or to further education through classroom learning, hands-on experience, and field placements. Students will build their resumés and practical skills in a supportive, inclusive environment. “This program is about more than gaining skills; it’s about creating opportunity, building confidence, and ensuring every learner has a pathway to success,” said Cambrian VP Academic Janice Clarke.

Several postsecondary institutions and organizations are taking steps to address food insecurity. At Brandon University, Student Services and Helping Hands Centre of Brandon have partnered to regularly distribute free food to students. The Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union is hosting the TRUSU Community Meal every two weeks to help address student food insecurity. At the annual Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) conference two resolutions were endorsed that focus on reducing costs for students. If implemented by government, these changes would create a provincial Student Food Security Grant and create a $10/day flat-rate ferry fare for students.

The Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick’s language learning centre has received official accreditation from Languages Canada. The accreditation recognizes language programs that meet Languages Canada’s rigorous standards in teaching, pedagogy, and student services. CCNB states that it is the only public institution in Atlantic Canada to offer accredited programs in both English and French.