August 5, 2026

Nova Scotia Community College has received a $3.2M investment from Irving Shipbuilding to modernize and expand the Akerley Campus trade shops. The investment adds 20 new welding booths and a variety of other new technology, including equipment for metal fabrication training and updated mechanical and electrical distribution systems. The spaces have been renamed the Irving Shipbuilding Welding Shop and the Irving Shipbuilding Metal Fabrication Shop in honour of the investment. NSCC Acting President Anna Burke explained that the investment will allow NSCC to “build on its ability to ensure major operations … can benefit from the training those resources provide students coming to the College to prepare for this vital sector.”

The recent changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) are now in effect. Humber Polytechnic IGNITE student advocate Emily Edwards told CTV News that students are increasingly discussing financial pressures and the challenges that they are facing with reaching their goals because of the cuts. Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) President Rory Norris said that student debt burdens will increase and their ability to attend postsecondary will be impacted due to the changes. CTV News reports that OUSA is calling for student loan repayment grace periods to be extended, while the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is extending essential services such as emergency bursaries, grants, and food centres to support students in need.

Red River College Polytechnic will receive $1.2M in collision repair equipment from Manitoba’s public auto insurer. Manitoba Public Insurance Board Chair Carmen Nedohin explained that the equipment comes from a former research and training space created by the insurer which has since become redundant. The donation contains over 200 pieces of equipment including frame racks, dent pulling systems, and a tire balancing and changing machine. Nedohin explained that the donation was prompted by conversations with industry and RRC Polytech regarding the existing labour gap for autobody trades workers in the province.

Lambton College will be launching a new wildfire prevention and emergency response advanced diploma program. This three-semester program will launch in September 2027. It is open to graduates of pre-service firefighter education and training programs. The program will offer optional additional training in Sarnia and Northern Ontario, and certifications that will help students start their careers in firefighting and emergency management. “We’re really trying to generate a full package for students,” said Lambton Dean of the School of Fire and Public Safety Aaron Klooster.

Digital credentials should be more than just digital versions of paper certificates, and higher education institutions can serve a role facilitating this, according to Rob Coyle. While digital credentials can provide employers with more detailed information about candidates and provide candidates with a method to prove their skills, Coyle points to recent research by 1EdTech that demonstrates how employers consistently face challenges in trusting and using this information in hiring. Coyle suggests that institutions prioritize four areas to create trustworthy digital credentials: partnering with employers to design credentials, including clear and consistent data, supporting standards and data exchange between credential ecosystems, and using credentials in their own hiring process. In doing so, Coyle says digital credentials can become “powerful tools for mobility and workforce development.”

Conestoga College has reportedly recorded a $32.8M operating deficit in its most recent fiscal year, according to CTV News. CTV reports that the college’s Consolidated Statement of Revenue and Expenditures showed that tuition revenue fell by 57% from $564M to $241M. In a statement, Conestoga President Norma Ewing said that “Conestoga College continues to make strategic decisions to support the long-term financial sustainability of the institution and keep delivering a world-class education that prepares students for good-paying, in-demand jobs and careers.” The college reportedly aims to reduce its operating deficit to $25M by next March.

Red Deer Polytechnic has signed an agreement with the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF), establishing a long-term partnership focused on supporting Indigenous learners, communities, and leaders. This five-year agreement will include applied research focused on Indigenous food systems, the development and delivery of skills development for Indigenous learners, co-marketing and outreach, and initiatives honouring Indigenous knowledge and agricultural traditions. “By working together, we can strengthen food security, expand economic opportunities and support the next generation of Indigenous agricultural leaders,” said RDP President Stuart Cullum.

The University of Toronto, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited gathered last week to sign a memorandum of understanding, with the university joining CNL’s Academic Partnership Program. The partnership will provide eligible U of T students with access to research placements at CNL’s Chalk River Laboratories, as well as offering access to specialized workshops, conferences, and university-industry collaborations. U of T Professor Nazir Kherani explained that the partnership will serve to promote long-term prosperity and energy security in Canada. “Through partnerships like this, we are building the talent, research capacity, and innovation ecosystem that will ensure Canada remains a global leader in nuclear science and engineering for decades to come,” said Kherani.

In a recent article for The Conversation, Christina E Hoicka (University of Victoria) and Rebecca Black (UVic) argue that Canada’s energy transition would benefit from a more diverse workforce. The authors explain that the transition to a low-carbon energy system has created a fast-growing labour market that would be bolstered by representation from more diverse groups. Hoicka and Black analyzed applications from a grant program for underserved people wishing to enter the clean energy sector. They found that applicants valued recognition and support, were motivated by equity, were interested in broader career pathways, and benefitted from the community provided by programs. “By learning from these lived experiences, Canada can build not only a larger low-carbon energy workforce, but a more just, representative and resilient one,” write the authors.

A McMaster University student group called Bidets at McMaster is asking the university to reconsider its decision not to support the installation of hand-held bidets on campus, which they say is a result of a misunderstanding. Hamilton Spectator reports that organizers applied for $7K through the university’s Student Life Enhancement Fund for 14 hand-held bidet sprayers. Their application was rejected, with McMaster’s response estimating the units would cost $6K each. The organizers suggested that the cost difference may be due to a misunderstanding about the type of bidet requested. McMaster explained that it considers a variety of factors when evaluating proposals, and that “projects are pursued when there is a realistic pathway to scaling and funding the initiative across campus.”