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Education & Skills

Signal49 Research helps Canada’s education and training systems prepare for the future of work. We examine key issues in the country’s evolving learning ecosystems, identify emerging skills, and deliver insights and resources that help workers and students develop their skills. Through expertise in labour market modelling and unbiased, collaborative research, we provide tools, events, and peer advisory groups that strengthen education and skills systems nationwide.

500+

Outputs under the Education & Skills team

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Featured Research

Fostering Neurodivergent Talent

Neurodivergent Work-Integrated Learning—October 2026

Fostering Neurodivergent Talent: Participation, Barriers, and Experiences in Work-Integrated Learning This research examines neurodivergent learners’ experiences with work-integrated learning programs: learners’ awareness of programs and perceived value; participation rates; neurodivergence…
Topics: DEI Research, Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Education in Canada, Employment Plan
Experiential Learning, Inclusive Practices in the Workplace, Neurodiversity, Organizational Culture, Post Secondary Education in Canada
Issue briefing​
October 14, 2026 17 min read
Series:Skill Trends

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Defence Skills Trends—October 2026

The Force Behind the Force: Defence Skills Trend In this research, we examine job posting trends for occupations in defence and defence-related industries from 2023 to the first half of…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Canada Budget, Economy Analysis
Education in Canada, Employment Rate in Canada, Future of Work, GDP Canada, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Provincial Research, Upskilling the Workforce
Issue briefing​
October 6, 2026 21 min read

PSE Student Experiences With Generative AI—September 2026

AI Adoption Outpaces Readiness: Student Experiences With Generative AI in Canadian Post-Secondary Education With AI becoming increasingly embedded in education and the workforce, this research summarizes the results of Signal49’s…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development, Technology and Innovation Analysis
Subject Matter: Artificial Intelligence, Education in Canada
Emerging Technologies, Future of Work, Innovation Economy, Innovation Strategy, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Workforce of the Future
Data briefing​
September 29, 2026 10 min read

Canada’s Skills and Training Ecosystem—August 2026

Unlocking Canada’s Skills Potential: Training Pathways, Participation, and Outcomes Beyond Post-secondary To examine how learners engage with Canada’s skills and training ecosystem, we surveyed 505 learners whose most recent training…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Education in Canada, Industry Analysis
Labour Market, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Upskilling the Workforce, Workforce of the Future
Data briefing​
August 24, 2026 10 min read
Series:Higher Education Trends

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Higher Education Trend Report: Student Finance—August 2026

Higher Education Trend Report: Student Finance In this data dashboard, we examine the state of student finance in Canada’s post-secondary education sector over a decade, including debt exposure and sources…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Education in Canada, Household in Economics
Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigration Policies in Canada, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Provincial Research
Online Experience
August 13, 2026 17 min read

WILing to Work: Rebuilding the First Rung of the Career Ladder

This op-ed was originally published by TheFutureEconomy.ca on August 10, 2026. A stronger work-integrated learning system can help Canadian graduates overcome a shrinking entry-level job market and build the skills…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Artificial Intelligence, Future of Work
Workforce of the Future, Workplace Barriers
Op-ed
August 12, 2026 5-min read
Series:Skill Trends

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Commercial Intelligence Skill Trends—July 2026

The New Business Literacy: Commercial Intelligence Skills Trend In this research, we examine two years of job postings data from Signal49’s Vicinity Jobs database to gain insight into demand for…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Artificial Intelligence, Business Research
Digital Upskilling, Education in Canada, Employment Rate in Canada, Future of Work, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Provincial Research, Salary Research, Upskilling the Workforce
Issue briefing​
July 8, 2026 18 min read
Series:Higher Education Trends

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Higher Education Trends Report: Student Outcomes—May 2026

Higher Education Trend Report: Student Outcomes This research examines the labour market outcomes of Canadian post-secondary graduates by field of study, credentials, and work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Are graduate supply…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Challenges Faced by International Students, Education in Canada
Employment Rate in Canada, Experiential Learning, Immigrant Labour Integration, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigrants in the Workplace, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Post Pandemic, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Provincial Research, Salary Research
Online Experience
May 26, 2026 21 min read

How PSE Can Prepare an AI-Ready Workforce—May 2026

Preparing an AI-Ready Workforce: Strategies for Canadian Post-secondary Leaders Post-secondary leaders report an uneven landscape in preparing AI-ready graduates. While some institutions have rolled out coordinated, campus-wide AI literacy initiatives,…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development, Technology and Innovation Analysis
Subject Matter: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Upskilling
Emerging Technologies, Experiential Learning, Future of Work, Inclusive Growth, Industry Analysis, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Workplace Barriers
Issue briefing​
May 14, 2026 20 min read

After the Gold Rush: Canada’s International Student Reckoning

This op-ed was originally published by Times Higher Education on March 11, 2026. For more than a decade, international students were the most predictable source of growth in Canadian post-secondary…
Topics: Immigration Research and Policy, Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Challenges Faced by International Students, Immigrant Labour Integration
Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigration Policies in Canada, Labour Market, Post Secondary Education in Canada
Op-ed
March 17, 2026 4-min read

Latest Research

Fostering Neurodivergent Talent

Neurodivergent Work-Integrated Learning—October 2026

Fostering Neurodivergent Talent: Participation, Barriers, and Experiences in Work-Integrated Learning This research examines neurodivergent learners’ experiences with work-integrated learning programs: learners’ awareness of programs and perceived value; participation rates; neurodivergence…
Topics: DEI Research, Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Education in Canada, Employment Plan
Experiential Learning, Inclusive Practices in the Workplace, Neurodiversity, Organizational Culture, Post Secondary Education in Canada
Issue briefing​
October 14, 2026 17 min read
Fostering Neurodivergent Talent

Apprentissage intégré au travail pour les personnes neurodivergentes – Octobre 2026

Encourager les talents neurodivergents : participation, obstacles et expériences dans le cadre de l’apprentissage intégré au travail Cette étude examine l’expérience des apprenants neurodivergents dans le cadre des programmes d’apprentissage…
Topics: DEI Research, Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Education in Canada, Employment Plan
Experiential Learning, Inclusive Practices in the Workplace, Neurodiversity, Organizational Culture, Post Secondary Education in Canada
Issue briefing​
October 14, 2026 17 min read
Series:Skill Trends

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Defence Skills Trends—October 2026

The Force Behind the Force: Defence Skills Trend In this research, we examine job posting trends for occupations in defence and defence-related industries from 2023 to the first half of…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Canada Budget, Economy Analysis
Education in Canada, Employment Rate in Canada, Future of Work, GDP Canada, Industry Analysis, Labour Market, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Provincial Research, Upskilling the Workforce
Issue briefing​
October 6, 2026 21 min read
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Events

AI in Action at Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions- Webinar image

AI in Action at Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions

December 1, 2026  •  Webinar

Artificial intelligence is transforming how post-secondary institutions teach, learn, conduct research, and prepare students for a changing world of work. In response, colleges, polytechnics, and universities across Canada are experimenting with new approaches to AI literacy, curriculum renewal, workforce preparation, institutional governance, and student engagement.

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Executive Council

Members gain fresh insights, identify new strategies, and face challenges unique to universities and colleges.

The Canadian Council for College Futures (CCCF) provides a forum for college and polytechnic leaders to hear from key thought leaders in Canada while sharing challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned within a vibrant community of practice. The CCCF helps college and polytechnic leaders develop strategies in response to an evolving sector by bringing together industry, academia, and applied research to solve pressing educational issues.

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