Ottawa, ON, July 16, 2026 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) welcomes today’s federal investment to expand training capacity across the country, recognizing the essential role that Canada’s public colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics and Indigenous Institutes of Education play in preparing the skilled trades workforce our economy needs to build a strong and resilient Canada.
By investing an additional $2 billion through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to create more pathways into Red Seal trades, the federal government recognizes CICan’s call for increased skilled trades training capacity in Canada. Today’s investments will help the public training system deliver on the Team Canada Strong funding announced in April to incentivize more Canadians to choose a career in the skilled trades. Achieving these objectives will require strong collaboration between governments and the public postsecondary institutions that deliver apprenticeship and skilled trades workforce training in communities across the country.
Responding to Growing Demand for Skilled Talent
Canada is facing growing demand for workers across sectors, from skilled trades and healthcare to advanced manufacturing, clean technologies and digital industries. The federal government has estimated that Canada will need more than 1.4 million additional trades workers by 2033, setting a a goal of recruiting, training and hiring between 80,000 and 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers by 2030–31. Meeting this ambition requires sustained investment in the public institutions that train 70% of Canada’s apprentices.
Today’s investment comes at acritical time. Across the country, CICan members are ready to step up to Build Canada and expand training in high-demand fields. However, demand is outstripping capacity. Across CICan member institutions outside Quebec, over 40,000 learners are currently on waitlists for construction trades programs, including 20,000 apprenticeship candidates. Those waitlists represent 54 per cent of the sector’s current construction trades training capacity, with more than one waitlisted learner for every two available training spaces. Investments in infrastructure for classrooms, equipment and instructional resources will help them train more people, respond more quickly to labour market needs and support Canada’s long-term economic growth and resilience.
Working directly with employers, governments, Indigenous partners and communities, CICan members deliver responsive training that reflects local labour market needs while supporting national priorities. Their strong ties to industry also allow them to rapidly adapt programs as workforce demands evolve. By strengthening this public training system, both provincial and federal governments can build greater resilience in the Canadian economy and empower our communities to do more.
CICan looks forward to working with the Government of Canada, provinces and territories, and industry partners to ensure today’s investments translate into expanded training capacity, shorter waitlists, more opportunities for learners, and a ready and agile skilled workforce for communities across Canada.
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“Canada’s ambition to Build Big cannot be delivered without investing in the public training institutions that prepare the next generation of skilled trades workers. Our colleges and institutes have the deep expertise, industry partnerships and trusted presence in communities across the country to respond to growing demand. Today’s investment will help more Canadians access high-quality training while ensuring employers have the talent they need to grow and compete. The path to realizing Canada’s ambition to Build Big runs right through our sector.”
Pari Johnston, President and CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada
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About Colleges and Institutes Canada
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the national voice of Canada’s dynamic network of publicly funded colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, polytechnics, and Indigenous Institutes of Education. By convening, mobilizing, and championing the sector, we amplify the value and impact of our members to advance the priorities that matter most to Canadians.
With more than 95% of Canadians living within 50 km of a CICan member institution, and through the extensive global reach of its network, CICan positions colleges and institutes as essential partners in addressing today’s most pressing challenges – both in Canada and around the world.
We respectfully acknowledge that CICan’s offices in Ottawa are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.
For more information
Michael McDonald
Vice-President, External and Member Relations
Email: mmcdonald@cican.org
Twitter : @CollegeCan