May 27, 2026

The Future Skills Centre has announced the selection of 10 research projects that will tap into the OECD’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) dataset. The projects will transform data on adult skills into actionable insights for Canadian policymakers and workforce leaders. “By maximizing this once-in-a-decade dataset and supporting a network of researchers investigating these critical questions, we are identifying the specific levers that will allow us to close the productivity gap, boost wages, and ensure our economy is resilient by design in the face of rapid disruption,” stated Future Skills Centre Executive Director Noel Baldwin. The projects are led by organizations such as Academica Group, McMaster University, McGill University, the University of Alberta, the University of New Brunswick, and the University of Toronto.

Holland College has announced the creation of FutureWorks PEI, supported by a $15M gift from the Weston Family. The FutureWorks PEI initiative will build a stronger talent pipeline, support small- and medium-enterprise productivity and competitiveness, and ensure Prince Edward Island can meet its needs. The funds will support three key expansions to this end: The Trades Centre Expansion will strengthen core construction trades training and applied research; the Applied Biotechnology Research Centre Expansion will increase research and innovation efforts with new labs, fellowships, and funds; and the Business Analytics, AI, and Cybersecurity Expansion will build the province’s digital and cybertalent pipelines.

The University of Toronto Scarborough recently held an opening ceremony for its newly built Indigenous House. The building features a variety of academic and social spaces for Indigenous students; offices for Elders and staff; gathering spaces; and areas for Indigenous-centred research and scholarship. “This is placemaking in action—not simply creating a building, but shaping a space grounded in connection to land, community, and shared understanding,” said U of T President Melanie Woodin. “Indigenous House is an important milestone in strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities.” The building’s opening began with a sunrise ceremony and sacred fire led by Elder Josh Eshkawkogan, which was followed by a reception and self-guided tour of the building.

The Government of Québec has announced that it will provide $10M in wage subsidies to encourage businesses to hire young graduates. Expected to provide funding for 5,000 employees, the funding covers part of the salary of graduates of certificate, diploma, and degree programs who are between the ages of 16 and 30. Eligible employees must have a graduation date between April 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026, and must present a letter of eligibility from Services Québec. Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec CEO Pierre Graff explained that a combination of geopolitical and technological factors are currently disrupting the labour market, and that the wage subsidy will provide more predictability for employers.

Okanagan College has announced that it will offer Open Studies programming, beginning in Fall 2026. It has opened registration for a variety of courses across the arts, business, science, and technology, which will be available to prospective learners regardless of whether they are enrolled in a full program. “Learning doesn’t always start with a program,” explained Okanagan VP Academic Dr Samantha Lenci, adding that many potential learners “just need a way in that fits their life.” Only domestic applicants are currently eligible to enrol in Open Studies, and students can take up to two courses per term. Okanagan also says that the courses are eligible for transfer to other institutions in British Columbia and beyond.

In an article for the Canadian Journal of Higher Ed, Emma Harden-Wolfson (McGill University) and Yvonne Zhang (McGill) share their analysis of the IRCC’s approach toward international students. Drawing on IRCC announcements between 2022 and 2025, the authors outline how the IRCC emerged as an important actor in education policy and foreign policy. However, they find that IRCC’s actions have unfolded in an inconsistent manner that perpetuated inequalities, and call for more equitable, non-oppressive approaches in the future to enrich higher education and ensure the sector can fulfill its commitments.

Mount Saint Vincent University and Bermuda College have created a pathway that will enable students in Bermuda to complete a bachelor’s degree without leaving their country. The five-year articulation agreement between the college and university outlines how MSVU’s Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management degree will be delivered in association with Bermuda College. Eligible students from select programs at the college will also be able to transfer up to 25 courses towards the degree. MSVU will retain responsibility for academic oversight, admissions, and degree conferral, while Bermuda College will manage elements such as local delivery, administrative processes, and graduation arrangements.

In a recent article for The Conversation, Lisa Starr (University of Lethbridge) argues that some of the new expedited teaching certificate pathways introduced in Alberta will have a detrimental effect on K–12 students. Starr writes that two of the four pathways—one created for tradespeople and one for skilled professionals—are problematic, as they assume that subject area knowledge and select courses are enough to be able to teach proficiently. The author discusses several situations from the US that demonstrate how requiring less teacher education has led to lower student achievement. “The irony created by fast-tracked teacher training and certification is that those future doctors and skilled trades workers, who we need as desperately as we need teachers, may never get to those professions,” writes Starr.

Mount Allison University is preparing to launch its new First-Year Transition Program this June. The program provides incoming students with weekly self-paced modules that cover topics like student supports, community standards, and study tips. Content will be provided through short videos and readings that are hosted on MtA’s Moodle learning platform. “The transition to university is often the first time students are managing so many aspects of their lives independently,” explained MtA VP Student Affairs Dr Nona Robinson. “We want students to begin their university experience feeling confident, supported, and ready to succeed.”

At a recent Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) session, Public Interest Alberta Executive Director Brad Lafortune argued that postsecondary institutions in AB are not only fighting for funding, but are increasingly fighting for independence, public purpose, and survival. Lafortune asserted that institutions should not be beholden to government ideologies, but should be democratic community spaces. Additionally, he called out the cost of tuition, arguing that increasing costs are deterring more students from postsecondary education. The author also discussed AB’s embrace of AI, concerns around public education being reshaped to fit labour-market outcomes, and AB’s political climate, concluding by emphasizing the importance of funding.