People are B.C.’s most valuable economic asset, and talent is our most important resource.
For more than 50 years, Simon Fraser University (SFU) has developed and nurtured the talent B.C. needs to grow through diverse, comprehensive, and collaborative programs that prepare students to enter the workforce.
Today, that need is greater than ever, and SFU is ready to meet the demand.
Closing the talent gap
Labour forecasts tell us that 80% of new job openings in B.C. over the next decade will require post-secondary education and training.
These needs will apply to jobs in all sectors across our economy and in every region of the province.
With partners in B.C.’s post-secondary system, SFU is working to close the talent gap and prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.
For example, SFU’s Executive MBA in Indigenous and Business Leadership empowers Indigenous leaders, professionals, and managers. It’s the only MBA of its kind in North America, integrating the core concepts and knowledge of most MBA programs with traditional knowledge and cultural protocols specific to Indigenous communities.
Graduates of this program go on to enter new roles in their organizations and communities, contributing to Nation-building, self-determination, and economic reconciliation.
Additionally, the Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship is bringing education in entrepreneurship to all SFU students to complement to their degrees.
Understanding that the industry of tomorrow will be driven by sustainability and corporate social responsibility, the School of Sustainable Engineering is preparing students for jobs in cleantech and renewable energy.
The university is currently planning for a new medical school focused on driving innovation and change by training primary care, and family practice doctors equipped to meet the needs of underserved populations.
SFU is also a pioneer in co-op education, with one of the largest and most successful co-op programs in the country. With co-op placements, students gain invaluable real-world skills, and the community and business gain access to the enthusiasm and talent its students have to offer.
Through these and many other forward-looking initiatives and programs, SFU is helping educate tomorrow’s workforce and meet the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to advancing lasting and meaningful reconciliation.
British Columbia’s post-secondary advantage
SFU is joined in this crucial work by partners across B.C.’s integrated post-secondary system.
B.C.’s colleges, universities and institutes provide world-class education and training to hundreds of thousands of students each year.
The post-secondary sector generates billions of dollars in economic activity, attracting research funding from across Canada, which it uses to provide students throughout the province with the appropriate education and skills to succeed.
And across every field, B.C.’s post-secondary students are prepared to enter careers in strong positions soon after graduation and report high levels of satisfaction with their post-secondary experience and degrees.
The opportunity ahead
As we look ahead, B.C. has an opportunity to build on its post-secondary advantage.
The business community, non-profit sector, and leaders across our economy have put a high priority on talent development as a means to grow a more productive and inclusive economy.
The B.C. government has put post-secondary education at the heart of its long-term economic plan by expanding seats, supporting Indigenous education, and providing more financial support for students.
And leading economies around the world are developing human capital to raise productivity, reduce inequality, and spur sustainable economic growth.
For generations, B.C.’s colleges, universities and institutes have been powerful engines for social and economic mobility, and they remain so today.
By pulling together, we can develop the talent we need to fill tomorrow’s jobs and grow a more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative economy for all British Columbians.
To learn more about how SFU is helping solve BC’s talent gap, visit this website.
