Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan)

CICan is the voice of Canada’s colleges and institutes, at home and abroad, on skills for employment, innovation, international cooperation, indigenous education, and addressing environment and climate change issues. They bring the expertise of their member institutions to partners in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. They contribute to reducing poverty and inequality, especially for women, youth and disadvantaged populations, by providing development solutions for local governments, training institutions, and companies of all sizes. Advocacy Canada’s extensive network of colleges, institutes, cégeps and polytechnics serves communities across the country. They play an essential role in accelerating inclusive, broad-based growth and reducing economic and social disparities by ensuring Canadians have the skills they need to succeed and play an active role in the innovation ecosystem CICan advocates as the collective voice of colleges and institutes, working  with governments, industry and stakeholders to ensure all Canadians have access to training opportunities that will prepare them for a fulfilling career in the field of their choice. CICan and its members remain focused on the following priorities in order to achieve these goals: Advanced Skills for Employment Canada’s colleges and institutes work in close collaboration with local employers to ensure that their graduates have the skills they need to hit the ground running in their new careers. They operate on the leading edge of today’s technological advances and are producing tomorrows innovators through hands-on work integrated learning opportunities and by matching skills with market needs. Training for Inclusive Economic Growth Long-term prosperity depends on providing Canadians with the education and skills needed to participate fully in their economy. This is a fundamental function of colleges and institutes whose employment focused approach to post-secondary education is also inspiring other countries around the world. Innovation Canada’s colleges and institutes play a lead role in strengthening regional capacity to innovate by undertaking applied research that leverages their strong connections to both industry and community partners. Indigenous Education Across Canada, colleges and institutes show their commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous peoples by providing a full range of culturally appropriate programs and support services, from essential skills upgrading to specialized indigenous education. Environment & Climate Change Creating a greener future is one of the most pressing issues of this time, requiring timely and innovative responses to new challenges. Colleges and institutes play an important role by providing the skills training and research capacity required to lead in a green economy. Student Mobility By providing opportunities for student mobility both between Canadian postsecondary institutions and international education partners, colleges and institutes help prepare students for the reality and challenges of a globalized world.