A Year in Review

Microcredentials and innovation in learning

Building on our national framework and guiding principles from last year, we launched a deeper investigation into microcredentials across the country to better understand the current state and potential of this new trend in lifelong learning. Based on an environmental scan and a survey of colleges and institutes, the report shows how these flexible and accessible learning options are gaining ground across the country.

After an incredible year for Building Capacity in Long-term Care (the Supportive Care Assistant micro-certificate program is currently being delivered at 18 partner institutions!), we began work on the first national occupational standard for personal care providers. The Standard will identify the skills, knowledge, and abilities required to succeed in the role and help employers, job seekers, workers, students, and educators make informed decisions about hiring, skills training, and career choices.

Making international learning experiences more accessible to Canadian students

After travel-related delays due to COVID-19, we officially celebrated the launch of the long-anticipated Global Skills Opportunity with Universities Canada! Over four years, 54 colleges and institutes and 56 universities will implement a total of 124 GSO-funded projects in collaboration with international partners in over 100 countries.

Beyond good intentions to action

We’re serious about equity, diversity, and inclusion, not only as an ethical and moral responsibility, but also as necessary for sustainable pandemic recovery. This year, we launched our ImpAct-EDI initiative and we were proud to surpass our objectives as part of the 50-30 challenge, achieving 50% gender parity on our board and senior management team; as well as at least 30% representation on our board of other under-represented groups, including Indigenous people, racialized persons, people living with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2+ community! (And we are almost there at the senior management level). 

Equal access to quality education

As the labour market continues to evolve, it is more important than ever to support Canadians looking to develop their skills and to ensure that access is equitable. That’s why we launched Skills Compass, which supports Indigenous and newcomer youth who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) in accessing education and training, wrap-around supports, and career pathways.

And, in a new approach to essential skills, our new Mapping Skills for Success program builds on Employment and Social Development Canada’s new model for foundational skills and will prepare Canadians to succeed in the workforce, help them find jobs, and adapt to changes at work.

This year, another 20 students demonstrating financial need and facing barriers to post-secondary education were awarded bursaries through the CICan Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary Program. And, with Bird Construction Inc & Paul and Gerri Charette, we launched a brand-new bursary supporting four Indigenous students attending a college or institute!

There is no future without net-zero

With the largest post-secondary footprint in the country, our collective engagement goes a long way. This year, at close to 700 locations, we pledged to achieve net-zero emissions on campus by 2050! And, our new Impact-Climate initiative set to work raising awareness among colleges and institutes and enhance engagement to reduce their environmental footprint.

Further action on sustainability

In January, we launched a nation-wide call for institutions to sign the SDG Accord. The Accord inspires, celebrates, and advances the critical role of education in delivering on the SDGs. As signatories, we maximize the impact of our efforts, share knowledge, commit to doing more, and hold each other accountable.

Since formally adopting the SDGs as the guiding principles of our strategic plan and signing the SDG Accord in 2020, our first report on the SDGs highlights how each one of our programs and partnerships advance the SDGs, in Canada and abroad.

We also launched the brand-new ImpAct Internships stream of Career-Launcher to help employers address labour shortages, diversify their workforce, and strengthen their industry while creating work opportunities for students and graduates that contribute to Canada’s 2030 SDG Agenda!

Taking international education in a new direction

The world is a very different place than it was only two years ago. This year, we laid out a plan to restructure and strategically organize the way we approach international education and development. Our new three-year International Strategy will futureproof the Canadian college and institute network through internationalization and global engagement.

Based on three pillars, the strategy will support CICan members as they pursue new opportunities in international education. It will enhance outbound student mobility and help Canadian students develop highly sought-after global skills, diversify student recruitment, improve pathways in Canada for international students, and strengthen international cooperation with new models for business development.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have devastating social and economic impacts on many countries around the world. With our members we work tirelessly to respond to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people, particularly women and girls, through our international projects. This year we signed four new contribution agreements to expand our international work in key areas (in Kenya, Senegal, and Tanzania).

• This year, we operated 13 international projects in 16 countries.
• Over 60 members participated.

On diversifying student recruitment, we are already actively working with partners around the world to strengthen and expand Canada-brand education. Most recently, we coordinated a virtual marketing and recruitment mission with trade commissioners in Southeast Asia during which 20 CICan member institutions participated in nearly 700 one-on-one meetings with pre-selected education agents!