Step aside, Oxford Dictionary. Our official Word of the Year is ‘futureproof’. To be futureproof means that you are set up for future success, no matter how the world changes and evolves.
Colleges and institutes make Canada futureproof by providing access to quality education that anticipates the needs of local economies. We believe that this is a vital public good and we have had a great year of supporting our members in this space. Our work gives colleges and institutes the opportunity to work together to futureproof learners, systems, and communities.
Elements like skills-based training, equity and accessibility, community connections, business solutions, and positive change are all part of being futureproof. And looking back on the year, there’s a lot that we have to celebrate:
- A new program supporting small and medium-sized employers in the construction and manufacturing sectors to hire first-year apprentices, with a focus on equity-deserving groups. (SDG 8 & SDG 10)
- A new collection of virtual simulations designed to give students in nursing, medical laboratory sciences, and paramedicine innovative hands-on learning experiences. (SDG 3 & SDG 4)
- A new two-year national initiative that will help newcomers develop the soft skills unique to Canadian workplaces, enhancing their employment profiles, and support Canadian employers by giving them access to a talent pool with intercultural and global skills. (SDG 8 & SDG 10)
- A new tool that will help educators, workers, and employers in the long-term care sector reduce skills gaps, better understand job expectations, and improve consistency of service and care for clients. (SDG 3 & SDG 8)
- A new development program that will generate employment and economic growth—particularly for youth and women—while preserving the health of oceans and water systems for future generations of Kenyans. (SDG 4 & SDG 10)
- A new scholarship program that will provide people in 26 developing countries (particularly women in francophone countries) with high-quality, inclusive education and training opportunities. (SDG 5 & SDG 4)
- A bold new direction for international education and development that will futureproof the Canadian college and institute network through internationalization and global engagement. (SDG 4 & SDG 5)
- We also celebrated a milestone anniversary: 50 years as a national association! Our work and our sector continue to grow. If you haven’t already, explore our anniversary reflections on the historical impact of the sector and looking forward to the next 50 years. More to come as we build on our legacy in the new year.
There is still more to do. Facing inflation, labour shortages, large-scale economic transformations, and a climate crisis, we need a good plan to rebuild Canada’s workforce, address inequality, and transition to a net-zero economy.
- We have recommendations for the federal government on applied research, workforce developments, campus infrastructure and a net-zero economy, reconciliation, and a common global future. A futureproof country means maximizing the impact of Canada’s largest post-secondary network.