New Delhi, March 16: Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) has launched a week-long mission to India to strengthen bilateral cooperation in skills development and workforce training.
The delegation of presidents and senior leaders from Canadian colleges and polytechnics will be in New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai from March 16 to 20 to pursue collaboration with Indian institutions, industry groups and government bodies.
The visit follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s February 2026 trip to India and the launch of the Canada-India Joint Talent and Innovation Strategy, which aims to deepen ties in education, research and workforce development. CICan says the mission is intended to advance talks on skills-training partnerships and align workforce priorities between the two countries.
During the trip, delegates will meet Indian government officials, private-sector leaders, apex bodies responsible for technical education and skills implementation, and representatives of Indian postsecondary institutions. Discussions are expected to focus on building long-term partnerships that support skills training in sectors important to both economies.
The mission will showcase Canada’s college and polytechnic model, which emphasizes industry-focused, practical education to prepare students for emerging job markets. CICan said its engagement with India supports India’s evolving national skills framework while also reinforcing Canada’s labour market and economic objectives.
High Commissioner of Canada to India Chris Cooter stressed the value of workforce collaboration between the countries.
“India is home to a very large and talented young population who will be entering the workforce in the years to come. Canada and India will both benefit greatly from top-notch skills training to capitalize on the jobs of tomorrow. Canadian colleges and educational institutes have proven programs that can provide the skills training needed in a global economy. This important CICan visit will open new avenues for further collaboration towards developing a world-class Canada-India skills partnership for the future,” he said.
CICan President and CEO Pari Johnston highlighted the role of education and research partnerships in strengthening economic ties and trade diversification.
“Education, research, and skills cooperation are critical enablers of economic growth and trade diversification. In Canada’s global engagement ambitions, its public college and polytechnic sector is a strategic national asset and a committed global partner. We are excited to explore opportunities with Indian technical institutions and industry associations through our collaboration with India’s Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship and other key public and private sector partners. This college leaders’ mission to India will lay the groundwork upon which both countries can build training and innovation partnerships to create a skilled workforce for tomorrow,” Johnston said.
The delegation includes Ajay Patel, President and CEO of Vancouver Community College; Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO of Humber Polytechnic; Craig Stephenson, President and CEO of Centennial College; Laura Jo Gunter, President and CEO of NAIT; and Sean Kennedy, President and CEO of Niagara College. Johnston and CICan Senior Program Officer Milica Njegovan are also part of the mission.
Colleges and Institutes Canada represents a network of 127 colleges, institutes and polytechnics nationwide. The organisation works with governments, industry and communities to support workforce training and skills development at home and abroad, and over five decades has delivered training programs and global partnerships to prepare workers for changing labour market needs.
The visit aims to explore deeper institutional collaboration, joint training programs and innovation partnerships to help both countries meet future workforce demands and strengthen education ties. (ANI)
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