Dear editor:
Olivia Haidl had always loved art and math but hadn’t found a way to bring those passions together – until she discovered the Architectural Technologies program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The co-op work terms built into the program were one of its strongest selling points for her.
Olivia completed three co-op terms that complemented and strengthened the classroom learning she received. Each placement offered unique challenges and learning opportunities, from working on commercial buildings to small renovation projects. The experiences built her confidence, sharpened her skills, and helped her see where she could make a difference. By the time she graduated, she had a job offer in hand and a clear sense of purpose.
“I’m always problem-solving, always working on creative solutions,” she says. “I’m excited to keep learning.”
Olivia’s story is more than a personal success – it’s a powerful example of how polytechnics are preparing Canadians to thrive in a world of disruption and uncertainty.
A Nation in Flux
Canada is facing a convergence of challenges: an aging workforce, persistent labour shortages, geopolitical instability, and a productivity crisis. Small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to find workers with the right mix of technical and soft skills. Even when roles are filled, employers report gaps in motivation, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Meanwhile, traditional post-secondary institutions are under pressure. Budget cuts, declining international enrolment, and a growing disconnect between academic credentials and job readiness have left many questioning their value. The result? A talent pipeline that’s out of sync with the real-world needs of employers.
The Polytech Advantage
Polytechnics, on the other hand, offer a model that’s built for this moment. They operate at the intersection of education and employment, where learning is hands-on, programs are co-designed with industry, and graduates are job-ready from day one.
Students like Olivia don’t just study theory – they apply it. Through co-op placements, applied research internships, and industry-informed instruction, they gain the confidence and competence to contribute from day one. They graduate ready to lead, not just follow.
That’s the polytechnic difference: education that’s grounded in the real world, responsive to industry needs, and designed to deliver results.
Learning by Doing – And Solving
At Sask Polytech and polytechnics like it across the country, students aren’t just preparing for the workforce – they’re already part of it. Through applied research internships, students work directly with businesses to solve real-world challenges. They help develop prototypes, test new technologies, and streamline operations.
One student is helping a local company improve its manufacturing process. Another is working on a project to reduce waste in food production. These aren’t theoretical or hypothetical assignments – they’re contributions to Canada’s innovation economy.
It’s the kind of experience that builds both resumes and resilience.
Meeting Demand in Critical Sectors
According to the Skilled & Ready report produced by Polytechnics Canada, five occupational clusters dominate Canada’s labour market demand: health care, skilled trades, IT, tourism and hospitality, and care occupations. Polytechnics Canada members offer programming that prepares graduates to work in 86% of these in-demand roles.
- In healthcare, polytechnics train registered nurses, dental assistants, and pharmacy technicians – roles expected to grow by 8.4% over the next five years.
- In the trades, they’re helping fill the gap left by retiring baby boomers, especially in construction and industrial sectors.
- In IT, they are preparing grads to fuel the digital transformation expected to drive employment growth in the sector up by 11 per cent in Saskatchewan alone over the next five years.
These are not just jobs – they are careers that stimulate growth, innovation, and community strength. And they are increasingly filled by polytechnic graduates who are ready to contribute from day one.
Driving Innovation and Productivity
Beyond talent development, polytechnics are also engines of innovation. They help businesses adopt new technologies, build prototypes, and solve operational challenges. Their applied research is focused on impact – supporting everything from digital/technological adoption to sustainability.
This matters. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, since 2021, Canada’s labour productivity has remained flat, while unit labour costs have risen. Small and medium-sized businesses are paying more without seeing gains in output. Polytechnics offer a way forward – by improving workforce quality, supporting innovation, and helping businesses scale without ballooning costs.
Policy Barriers and Missed Opportunities
Despite their value, polytechnics face systemic barriers:
- Funding models still favour traditional research universities, even as employers demand applied skills and job-ready graduates.
- Labour mobility remains constrained by provincial credentialing rules, limiting access to talent even when it exists elsewhere in Canada.
- Immigration caps have curtailed international student enrolment, cutting off a vital talent stream and triggering job losses across the sector.
It’s time for policy to catch up with reality – and to recognize polytechnics as essential infrastructure for economic resilience.
A Call to Action
Canada’s ambitions – to lead in clean tech, to build a coast-to-coast energy corridor, to secure economic sovereignty – depend on people: skilled, adaptable, hands-on people. Without them, the best-laid plans are just words on paper.
Polytechnic graduates like Olivia are proving every day what’s possible when education meets opportunity. Her journey – from uncertainty to confidence, from the classroom to a career in architectural design – is more than a personal achievement. It’s an integral part of how we build Canada.
Polytechnics are not a fallback. They are a forward-looking solution to the challenges of our time. To borrow a line from Polytechnics Canada, they are where Canadians go to become job-ready, where businesses go for solutions, and where fresh ideas translate into real-world results.
If we want to build a stronger, more resilient Canada, we need to invest in what works. We need to invest in polytechnics.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
