• Français
Future Skills Center logo
Français
Polygon Created with Sketch. Home | Research
Research

Innovation in Post-Secondary Education

Canada’s post-secondary institutions are well positioned for the future, thanks to innovative approaches and a willingness to use technological advances in education. COVID-19 has challenged these institutions, but they have showed adaptability under pressure by accelerating their adoption of innovations. However, some challenges predate the pandemic such as better inclusion of equity-seeking groups in higher education. Better funding models and greater flexibility can build greater resilience and agility into the system while addressing long-standing challenges and inequities.

Key Takeaways

1

While COVID-19 has accelerated the rate of change, many technology-related trends in education had already begun before the pandemic. The key to sustainable change is finding ways to embed flexibility and responsiveness into curriculum development so it can meet external demands (including from students, workers, governments, and employers) as they arise.

2

The intensity of demand for certain innovations to services and program delivery will drop post-pandemic, but many of the changes begun or accelerated in response to COVID-19 will retain value in the future and become entrenched in the culture and activities of Canada’s post-secondary education sector.

3

Rapid responses to crises or societal changes can be slowed by ponderous program approval processes and the rigid mechanics of funding regimes. PSE institutions have managed to find some workarounds that have enabled rapid innovation at the edge, but these workarounds are not sustainable over the long term and need to be integrated into mainstream funding and credentialing systems to persist and spread.

Executive Summary

Canada’s post-secondary institutions are well-positioned to prepare the country for a prosperous future — they are accessible and diverse in mission and scope, offering a wide range of program offerings and formats. Despite the constraints imposed by their funding, quality control and regulatory mechanisms, they demonstrate responsiveness and innovation to labour market signals and challenges. For its part, COVID-19 has laid bare both the challenges faced by the system and the institutions within it and their ability to respond quickly, efficiently and innovatively in times of crisis. And although the Canadian system does a good job of promoting access to the post-secondary education (PSE) system, there remain significant opportunity gaps that are being filled by program innovations that circumvent the existing set of rules regarding program approval, quality and funding regimes.

Through the selection of innovative case studies, we highlight examples of how PSE institutions strive to be labour market responsive in ways that are learner-centred and accessible. However, to continue to meet the demands of the future, we conclude with some recommendations for how governments may support greater capacity for program innovation and opportunities for timely and accessible education and training opportunities.

Related Research

Research

Workforce Training in Canadian SMEs: Barriers and Promising Models

  • September 2026
  • Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Diversity Institute
This project responds to the need for a clearer understanding of the factors shaping SME upskilling and the conditions under which training investments are more effective.
2 Related Reports
Creative and diverse office people reviewing 3D project progress while solving graphical issues.
Research

The Right AI Tool for the Job: The Productivity Potential of AI Applications in Canada

  • September 2026
  • Signal49 Research (formerly The Conference Board of Canada)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to revolutionize work and drive productivity gains not seen in years. To assess the potential impact of AI, this analysis links AI application exposure to industry-level productivity outcomes.
black entrepreneurs in office
Research

Pathways to Financing: Journeys of Successful Black Entrepreneurs

  • August 2026
  • Diversity Institute
Building on other research and projects to support Black entrepreneurs, including BACEL and Capital Skills, this short report examines the pathways to financing taken by some well-known Black entrepreneurs in Canada.
2 Related Reports
View all Research