Are you ready to help shape the skills Canada will need by 2031? Artificial intelligence is redefining roles. Organizations are reinventing themselves. Sectors are evolving faster than training systems can keep up. One key question emerges: What skills will be essential for Canada’s future?

To answer this, uOttawa PDI is launching an ambitious national initiative grounded in evidence, academic expertise, and a concrete understanding of sectoral transformations. And we want you to be one of the contributors.

 

A Strategic Mobilization

This project goes far beyond a report.

Our goal is to build a national program that anticipates critical skills and rapidly transforms them into concrete training offerings.

We are combining:

 

PDI expertise in cybersecurity, leadership, security, management, artificial intelligence, communications, and health

The strength of the University of Ottawa’s 10 faculties

Real signals of transformation across key sectors

A rigorous method based on three criteria: PDI relevance, faculty capacity, and sector urgency

 

 

Participate and Shape the Conversation

Join a national dialogue that is defining the skills Canada will need by 2031. Our expert roundtables bring together leaders from across sectors to identify emerging skills and immediate training priorities. Participation is by invitation, but you are welcome to express your interest.

Insights from this initiative will be transformed into concrete programs, including new professional certificates, executive micro programs and specialized training in AI, cybersecurity, leadership, health and infrastructure. This work will also support new partnerships and strengthen the expert networks guiding Canada’s future workforce.

Your expertise becomes action. Your perspective becomes programming.

 

 

Four Priority Roundtables

We have identified four areas where needs are accelerating and where the University of Ottawa has strategic credibility.

 

01. Project Management, Process Improvement & Strategy

Development of skills to deliver results, streamline processes, and think strategically. Discussion will define programs that offer practical training in project management, business process improvement, analytics, and strategic thinking, equipping professionals to plan effectively, solve problems, and lead successful initiatives.

02. Leadership, Management and Communication

Strengthen uOttawa PDI's ability to lead people, manage teams, and support healthy, high performing workplaces. Participate in determining the essential skills in leadership, supervision, communication, change management, and organizational culture to help professionals grow their impact at every level.

03. Risk Management, AI, Technology & Cybersecurity

Strengthen the ability to navigate digital transformation, emerging technologies, and modern security challenges. Contribute to programs in risk management, artificial intelligence, IT fundamentals, and cybersecurity to help professionals protect information, leverage technology effectively, and make informed, resilient decisions.

 

04. Risk Management, Defence & National Security

Enhance uOttawa PDI's ability to shape policy, strengthen governance, and understand today’s complex security landscape. The focus will be on developing programs in public policy development, regulatory processes, strategic governance, and national security issues, supporting professionals working in policy, oversight, diplomacy, and security related fields.

 

Take action and mark your calendars for September 29-30, 2026

Register your interest in the roundtables or collaborate with us as a sector partner. Your insight matters and will help shape the skills Canada needs for the future.

Register Now