Eleven of Canada's polytechnic institutions are championing the polytechnic model of education as the country rebuilds post-pandemic.
"As Canada emerges from COVID-19 and tackles our biggest challenges - an aging population, technology adoption and climate change - polytechnic graduates will be increasingly critical," says Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO at Polytechnics Canada, the national association of polytechnic institutions. "Simply put, our graduates have the pragmatic skills to get things done."
Canada's polytechnics engaged Leger, a major Canadian market research company, to survey human resources influencers and parents about their perception of polytechnic education. Leger reported that 88 per cent of human resource influencers who hired a polytechnic graduate indicate having a positive experience hiring these graduates overall. Three-in-five human resource influencers say they actively seek out polytechnic graduates when hiring.
"We love hiring polytechnic graduates," says Steve Pratt, head of engineering at Cytiva, a biotechnology company based in Burnaby, B.C. "They exhibit an ideal and pragmatic blend of academic excellence with hands-on experience."
"Our three full-time employees have all attended Red River College Polytechnic and we find working with like-minded individuals has made our company more effective and versatile," says Derek McCorrister, owner and CEO of Winnipeg-based Modern Clan Marketing Communications Ltd. "A polytechnic grad has the education and practical training they need to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact on day one for our clients and industry."
Under the banner "Purpose, Applied," the institutions' new campaign will promote what makes polytechnic education a first choice among students, their parents and employers. All 11 institutions offer hands-on, applied learning in high-demand technical and technology-focused fields. Industry-focused programs make learners workforce-ready the day they graduate.
"The laser focus of our members on industry-relevant education is what sets polytechnics apart," says Watts-Rynard. "Our institutions find ways to build in tangible workplace experience and embed an innovation mindset in learners. Students participate in employer-driven challenges, go out for work placements and co-ops, and get hands-on experience in cutting-edge labs and workshops. That intense focus on applying new skills is why more than 85 per cent of graduates are working in their field of study within six months of graduation."
Campaign partners include:
- British Columbia Institute of Technology
- Conestoga College
- Fanshawe College
- George Brown College
- Humber College
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Red River College Polytechnic
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic
- Seneca
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Polytechnics Canada
To learn more, visit www.PurposeApplied.ca. A campaign video has also been released
