If we’ve learned anything in recent times, it’s that the future is unpredictable. Still, we can try to plan for what we know and prepare for what we don’t. That’s the essence of future-proof: it means that we ready for any and all challenges that could arise in 6 months, a year, 10 years or 20 years.
Colleges and institutes anticipate the needs of our economy, then train, upskill, and reskill thinkers and doers. They are vital to making Canada future-proof. As their voice in the national agenda, it’s our job to make sure decisionmakers know what college and institute expertise can do for Canada. For federal budget planners, we have some ideas:
- There is no future without net-zero. We need colleges and institutes to get us there.
- Our economy needs bold innovators. Colleges and institutes make Canada more competitive and Canadian business faster to commercialize.
- A future-proof Canada needs newcomers to address labour shortages. Colleges and institutes ensure those coming to start a new life in Canada have the resources and support they need to realize their aspirations.
- Our future is one where all are included and supported. We need colleges and institutes to support the wellbeing of all students and empower diverse groups to achieve their full potential.
Read “The Next Step Forward” our latest submission to pre-budget consultations. We have six recommendations that build on these fours ideas to make Canada future-proof!
Advocacy is a big part of what we do, but it isn’t just about the federal budget; it’s about maximizing our collective efforts and empowering colleges and institutes to lead change.
In 1972, the first thing we needed to do was define the space. Remember that many of today’s colleges and institutes were officially created by provincial decree in the mid-to-late 60s.
- Our earliest efforts were focused on bringing institutions together with a common goal, raising awareness about what the college and institute system is and what we could accomplish with the right support.
- Explore our milestone successes in advocacy over the years: on applied research, on the environment, and on Indigenous education!
Today, we use the SDGs as a framework for collaboration to ensure that our actions contribute to positive change for people, communities, and the planet. Help us make Canada future-proof!
- As signatories of the SDG Accord, we maximize the impact of our efforts, share knowledge, commit to doing more, and hold each other accountable. Help us reach our goal of getting 45 members on board to mark Earth Day on April 22.