1-866-711-2262

Search

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

Access all research

Featured Research

Series:Higher Education Trends

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

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
Series:Higher Education Trends

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

Higher Education Trends Report: Enrolment Outlook—March 2026

Higher Education Trend Report: Enrolment Outlook This research examines current and forecasted post-secondary enrolment trends in Canada, including college, university, and international student enrolment. How are recent federal immigration policy…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development
Subject Matter: Atlantic Canada, Canada Budget
Challenges Faced by International Students, Education in Canada, Immigrants Coming to Canada, Immigration Policies in Canada, Industry Analysis, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Provincial Research
Online Experience
March 5, 2026 20 min read

AI-PowerED: Will AI Change Post-secondary Teaching and Learning?

In this research, we discuss the findings of our interviews with 42 individuals who are leading or supporting artificial intelligence (AI) integration in post-secondary institutions (PSIs). What are some risks…
Topics: Skills and Workforce Development, Technology and Innovation Analysis
Subject Matter: Digital Upskilling, Education in Canada
Emerging Technologies, Future of Work, Post Secondary Education in Canada, Upskilling the Workforce, Workforce of the Future
Issue briefing​
December 12, 2024 15 min read

Latest Research

Series:Higher Education Trends

inFact subscribers or purchase required. to access.

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
Find more

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.

Learn more

Where leaders turn when faced with Canada’s toughest problems.

Our subscriptions deliver keyintelligence to your fingertips so you can act on critical opportunities with confidence.

Become a subscriber

Get notified when we release cutting-edge insights.