September 21, 2026

The Government of Manitoba has seen strong growth in apprenticeship training and certification this year. “We certified more journeypersons this year than any of the past five years, an important milestone in strengthening our workforce,” said MB Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses. CBC reports that plumbing apprentices in the province are facing waits of sometimes over a year for a seat in their required courses. Industry leaders stated that the available training seats are not sufficient to replace retiring plumbers. “This has been a challenge for us,” said Red River College Polytechnic School of Skilled Trades and Technologies Dean Derek Kochenash. “It’s good to have a lot of interest in the programs, but we certainly feel for students.”

The Government of Prince Edward Island has launched an online registry of skilled tradespeople, designed to streamline access to credential verification. PEI Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning Jenn Redmond explained that the registry will make it “easier for certified tradespeople and apprentices to demonstrate their qualifications, have their credentials recognized, and pursue employment opportunities both in PEI and across Canada.” Employers, contractors, and homeowners will also be able to verify whether a person holds a Prince Edward Island Certificate of Qualification or Red Seal endorsement, reducing the need for verification through provincial apprenticeship offices.”

Lia M Daniels (University of Alberta) discusses her research into redesigning classroom assessments to support student wellbeing. While some in the sector have tried eliminating types of assessments and grades to reduce student stress, she asserts that this may not have a noticeable benefit. Instead, Daniels advises drawing on “robust psychological theories of wellbeing” to improve assessments. She shares how her studies found that adding psychological need-supportive features—like supportive messaging and blueprinting—to assessments improved psychological need satisfaction for students, while also improving the instructor’s well-being. “Everyone wins when assessments suck even just a little bit less,” concludes Daniels.

The University of Toronto has established a $5M research chair called the Tanenbaum Knowledge Translation Chair for Science in Women’s Sport. The chair will lead a research program that generates and synthesizes findings on pressing issues in women athletes’ health and performance. This research will be translated into a robust suite of accessible, public-facing materials for women athletes and their supporters. The chair is supported by a gift from the Larry & Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation that was matched by the university.

Niagara College and Niagara University have expanded their partnership through the signing of a Dual Admission and Articulation Agreement. The agreement streamlines college-to-university transfer pathways across a variety of fields including social work, business management, and early childhood education, in addition to building joint advising networks for students pursuing these pathways. The partners will receive real-time notifications of curriculum or accreditation adjustments and will review pathways annually. “By eliminating barriers and creating clearer educational pathways, we are giving students on both sides of the border greater confidence about where their education can take them,” concluded Niagara University President Rev James J Maher, CM.

Vancouver Community College has launched new Construction Electrician training programs that will offer a streamlined pathway focused on technical training. The college says that the new Modernized Apprenticeship Pathway (MAP) teaching model is the first of its kind in British Columbia’s postsecondary education system. Students will complete VCC’s six-month Construction Electrician Foundation certificate, which includes 350 work-based training hours and leads to Level 1 Red Seal electrical training, before having the opportunity to continue into Construction Electrician Levels 2–4 apprenticeship courses while continuing to work. “As BC advances its use of clean energy and sustainable technologies, we are seeing urgent demand for skilled electrical workers,” said VCC Dean of Trades, Technology, and Design Brett Griffiths.

International Business University has announced that it has received the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education’s (QAA) International Quality Accreditation. The five-year accreditation certifies that IBU meets Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area. IBU says that it is the first university in North America to have achieved this certification. “[QAA accreditation] demonstrates that a young, independent institution can meet rigorous and recognized international quality benchmarks,” explained IBU Chancellor Dr Feridun Hamdullahpur. “As IBU continues to build partnerships and expand its global presence, this accreditation strengthens our ability to demonstrate the quality and standards that underpin our institution.”

Saskatchewan Polytechnic has received a $1.5M investment from the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation to support pediatric and maternal research. Funding will go towards the polytechnic’s KINTECH Health Research Centre, which will use technologies to support the health of families in their home communities. “Our Applied Research and Innovation team has been using virtual reality and other emerging technologies to deliver mental health and wellness resources in rural and remote Saskatchewan,” explained Sask Polytech President Dr Larry Rosia. “We’re excited about the applied research opportunities and real-world impact this funding creates.”

Durham College has joined the Canadian Nuclear Association as an Affiliate Member. As a member of the association, Durham will have access to more opportunities to collaborate with members of the nuclear energy industry on education, long-term workforce planning, and skills development. “Our partnerships with industry allow us to respond quickly to changing workforce demands and create learning opportunities that connect students and professionals with meaningful careers,” said Durham Corporate Training Services Executive Director of Business and Workforce Development Robin Young. “Joining the Canadian Nuclear Association strengthens those connections so we can contribute to the future of the sector.”

The Government of the Northwest Territories and the University of Alberta have signed a research agreement that will run until March 31, 2035. The partnership is focused on research related to the future of the North, including AI, climate change, and social transformation. It establishes a framework that will ensure research activities are either Indigenous-led or co-developed with local communities. It will also bring new educational opportunities for Northern youth, such as expanded access to scholarships, remote learning programs, and on-the land training. NWT staff may be appointed as UAlberta adjunct faculty if they participate in graduate supervision, providing them with access to the university’s resources.