What’s the Future of Cloud Computing?
Transitioning to a multi-cloud approach
Many organizations now find themselves using a multitude of cloud-based services. A hybrid cloud, or multi-cloud approach, allows these different services to interact with one another with greater flexibility, resilience, and security while optimizing costs and improving performance.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
There are many advantages to deploying AI applications. AI can be resource-intensive, and the cloud allows flexibility in the scale and expandability of AI systems. With the help of AI and ML, cloud applications can analyze vast amounts of data, automate
Uprocesses, and deliver more personalized experiences to users. This technology is set to transform many industries in the coming years.
Cloud security and zero trust
By their very nature, most cloud services are public-facing, complex, and dynamic, which makes them a unique cybersecurity challenge. As cyber threats continue to evolve, there’s more investment in new technologies and approaches to protect users’ data. With a zero-trust architecture in cloud, organizations can minimize the risk of data breaches — as every user, device, and application requires authentication and authorization before being
granted access to any resources.
Demand for a specialized workforce
The growth of cloud computing is increasing the demand for those with the right qualifications. According to Grand View Research, the global pre-pandemic cloud market was valued at $266 billion (USD) and the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was expected to be 14.9 per cent from 2020 to 2027. After the pandemic, the expected CAGR has grown to 17.5 per cent by 2025.
As cloud-based services become more prevalent, education and experience in this growing field have become valuable ways to advance in your career.
How to Learn More About Cloud Computing?
niversity of Calgary Continuing
Education now offers an array of cloud computing programs, each under 100 hours. With an industry focus, these programs will provide you with the skills needed to construct cloud-based solutions that support the needs of your organization.
Cloud computing is far-reaching and touches on a number of interrelated fields.
If you’d like to learn more about AI and ML, data analytics, cloud security, cloud infrastructure, or data engineering, there’s a program for you.
Not sure where to start? These three online courses are currently available free of charge to help you start your learning journey. Each course will prepare you to write a Microsoft Certified Fundamentals exam.
ICT 906 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Azure is a cloud computing platform with an ever-expanding set of services designed to help you build solutions to meet your business goals.
ICT 901 Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals Learn about the fundamental concepts of
AI and the services in Microsoft Azure to build AI solutions.
ICT 907 Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamental
Learn about Microsoft security, compliance, and identity concepts, solutions, and capabilities.
Learners will be eligible to write the related Microsoft certification exam at no cost before the course section end date. Seats are limited and are first come, first served.
Lighthouse Labs was created in 2013 when its founders realized there was a lack of convenient, flexible education programs that could help people efficiently launch careers in coding, data, cyber security, and more.
Lighthouse Labs has changed the tech education landscape by offering immersive online bootcamps for beginner and intermediate-level learners. They’re available in a full- or flexible structure and can be completed over various semester lengths — from 8 weeks to 30 weeks.
The results are impressive. In 2021, 92 per cent of graduates said that what they’d learned positively impacted their careers. Four years post-program completion, they experienced an average income increase of 77 per cent.
The need for programs like these is at an all-time high. As businesses rely more on tech, the request for skilled workers is rising.
Essential, exciting employment
Some of the most in-demand jobs in Canada are within the digital sector. As they’re in a flexible industry, tech careers can offer a better work-life balance, stronger income, and job variety.
Plus, it’s a field that evolves at a fast pace. To keep up with growth and development,
there’s a subsequent demand for professionals to continue to upskill or reskill throughout their careers.
Inspired by industry trends and an expanding need, Lighthouse Labs provides the programs necessary for people to start a tech career or upskill efficiently. Its lifelong career services, financial aid options, and strong student support makes learning accessibility a priority.
Lighthouse Labs wants students to know that it’s never too late to follow their passion or make a change. Determined to find the most optimal ways to train the next generation of developers, the school is excited to offer the new Flex option.
Suited to anyone’s schedule
Applying to all of Lighthouse Labs’ bootcamp programs, Flex provides students with the same online curriculum, assignments, and lectures but in a more balanced format, lasting 18 to 30 weeks.
Students in Flex gain the same amazing outcomes that Lighthouse Labs is known for. They’ll have access to longer-term mentorship for 30 weeks, and have access to student
success coordinators, accommodations, and more. It’s the most flexible, versatile education option yet, allowing students to customize a study-life balance that works best for them.
For those interested in a transformative experience that’ll lead to job stability, salary and career growth, remote work, or pursuing a passion in tech, a job in the digital field is the best choice. Offering students support every step of the way, Lighthouse Labs wants its students to be excited to learn and confident that the future in tech is bright.
While the economy is cyclical — moving between expansion, peak, contraction, and trough — the reality is that a highly skilled workforce is always in demand.
At every stage of the economic cycle, employers need workers who are capable of flexing to accommodate the challenges of the day, whether it’s implementing new technology, entering new markets, streamlining operations, or pivoting to a new business model. Regardless of the circumstances, skills simply don’t go out of style.
The appeal of continuing education
Few people still believe that formal learning ends on graduation day. While barriers to lifelong learning remain, many Canadians are choosing to stay abreast of new developments in their industry or occupation, or pivoting to new careers and opportunities in growing sectors. Canada’s polytechnics report hundreds of thousands of registrations in continuing education courses each year, most with the implicit buy-in of employers.
In a recent study, we found that more than 90 per cent of Canadian workers and employers believe that skills development remains important regardless of the stage of one’s career. Nearly half of the 1,500 workers we surveyed said that lifelong learning has become critical for both job advancement and career change. Meanwhile, employers said that supporting lifelong learning among their employees improves competitiveness, increases retention, supports economic recovery, and facilitates internal job transitions.
With the job market changing so quickly, it can be hard to know what skills will be important in the years ahead and where to go to develop them. As Canada’s experts in continuing education and lifelong learning, Canada’s polytechnics are a good place to start.
The best learning happens when you’re able to put your new knowledge into immediate practice. Students at Simon Fraser University (SFU) Continuing Studies in Vancouver are finding programs specifically designed to equip working professionals with skills and concepts they can apply at their own workplace.
Relevant skills
Nicole Cook is the director of operations for a Vancouver engineering firm. In this demanding position, she wears many hats, and she appreciates how SFU’s Business Management Certificate program has helped her to manage the multiple areas she oversees.
“The certificate provides great tools and knowledge of best practices in a wide range of areas,” says Cook. “Business administration is what I do every day, so the case studies, assignments, and various approaches were useful. I’m also now using my knowledge in HR, finance, and marketing to lead different projects.”
Transferable knowledge
In addition to supporting different projects, the skills taught in Continuing Studies also apply to a wide range of industries. Brendan Bernardo, a business intelligence specialist working in public health care, has experienced this firsthand.
After graduating from the Business Analysis Certificate program, he commented, “I’ve been fortunate to apply my learning across the board whenever it comes to anything that requires
and information — just being able to distil the
and provide the
For
to support it.”
York University School of Continuing Studies Empowers Students with Sustainable Education
Upskilling and reskilling are essential for success in today’s labour market. York University School of Continuing Studies supports students at every step of their journey.
The modern job market is drastically changing, and steady, linear career paths are no longer the norm. The average working-aged Canadian has up to 15 jobs over the course of their career, and changes roles about every two years.
Whether climbing the next rung on the proverbial ladder or entering a new arena altogether, today’s Canadian employees find that continuous upskilling and reskilling is a prerequisite for success in nearly every field. Post-secondary institutions like York University School of Continuing Studies are responding with agile, industry-informed programs designed to support employees in today’s highly competitive and dynamic labour market.
Supporting diverse learners
At York University School of Continuing Studies, we support both career launchers and mid-career learners including those looking to transition into a new career,” says Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, Interim Assistant Vice-President at the York University School of Continuing Studies. “Our programs balance knowledge and theory with real-world skills.”
Career launchers, whether domestically or internationally educated, are typically looking to build on their undergraduate degrees with tangible and specialized career skills and learn how to sell those skills to
How do you ensure that York University School of Continuing Studies programs teach skills that are relevant to a constantly shifting labour market?
We develop all of our programs in consultation with industry experts, including some of Canada’s largest employers. We spend time with industry partners to get to know what their goals are. Additionally, our programs are developed in partnership with senior industry leaders with our instructors working for Canada’s top employers.
frontline hiring managers. Often, these students study on a full-time, accelerated basis. Meanwhile, mid-career learners — some of whom are upskilling while working in their chosen careers — draw on the School of Continuing Studies program content to supplement what they already know through years of experience. With online or blended programs and schedules designed to support work/life balance, they’re able to balance a full-time job while studying.
Blending soft and hard skills
W hether upskilling or reskilling, students learn through a cohort model designed to maximize their chances of career success. Through the cohort model, which is unique to the School of Continuing Studies Continuing Professional Education (CPE) programs — students advance through their learning objectives with a group of peers by their side. “We want students to have a network to draw on once they leave the classroom,” says Brooks-Cappadocia. Learning in a supportive, social context affords networking opportunities, enhances students’ psychological safety — which has been shown to improve learning — and helps students to build the crucial soft skills that employers look for, like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. To that end, the School of Continuing Studies also builds work-integrated learning experiences into the curriculum.
Why does York University School of Continuing Studies require students to commit to a program, rather than go course by course?
Students tend to graduate with the complete credential more consistently in our programs than they do in a course-by-course model. Our graduation rates are in the 90th percentile. It also allows us to make sure students have achieved all the learning outcomes they need to be successful in the workplace and
Giving students an edge
Work-integrated learning is designed to help students build on theory with as close to a real-life workplace situation as possible. Here, students embark on real work projects for companies, government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations. These real work projects are incorporated into the curriculum.
T he Digital and Content Marketing program enables students to build a unique digital marketing campaign. As part of their learning experience, students are tasked to write captivating blog content and generate engagement through e-mail and organic social media channels. Students are also provided with hands-on experience utilizing HubSpot, which provides comprehensive marketing campaign analytics, enabling a seamlessly integrated learning experience.
“Our students can confidently say, ‘Not only do I know this, but I’ve applied it,’” says Brooks-Cappadocia. Students emerge with a well-rounded skill set they can advertise to a potential employer — or if they’re upskilling in place, with a solid foundation to convince their manager they’ve learned new things and should be considered for a promotion.
Q&A with Christine Brooks-Cappadocia: Her Top Tips and Advice
Mediaplanet sat down with Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, Interim Assistant Vice-President at the York University School of Continuing Studies, to learn more about the benefits of their continuing education programs, her advice for recently laid-off workers, and more.
that they’ve developed a strong network of students and instructors. Learning is very social, and you need to provide that network for optimal outcomes.
What advice would you give a recently laid-off worker?
If you’ve been laid off, you want to get your next job fairly quickly, as well as signal to hiring managers that you have an up-todate skill set. To that end, we offer the same comprehensive programs available to mid-career learners in an intensive format for people able to study full-time. These programs are delivered in less than 11 weeks. We’ve actually found that intensive delivery really helps with knowledge retention. I also encourage students to take advantage of our full suite of career services and to network with both instructors and fellow students, building contacts that may help them land that next role in the hidden job market.
How can employers benefit from York University School of Continuing Studies programs?
Both larger, national-scale and smaller
employers regularly send groups of employees through our programs, whether public or privately delivered. Students study for seven weeks online and come together for blended weekend blocks, which are sometimes delivered through regional partner universities across the country. In this way, national employers benefit from consistent training across their workforce.
How do you think the learning experience has evolved and will continue to evolve in the postpandemic world?
We’re all talking about microcredentials now, and while that’s great for a specific skill, they’re not for everyone in every situation. Students need time to learn and breathing space to reflect and apply their practical skills. If it’s a new skill set as opposed to a single discrete skill, we need to give learners a well-thought-out, carefully curated set of learning tools. For instance, no one program can teach the data technologies that will be in use five years from now, but we teach students how to continuously learn for life so they are prepared for every stage of their career.
Veronica Stephenson
Innovating with Purpose: TD Tech Day Showcases the Bank's Commitment to Progress
TD Tech Day 2023 theme is Inclusive Innovation, highlighting the Bank's dedication to investing in tech talent and increasing diversity and inclusion.
Tania Amardeil
The next evolution
In our ever-changing world and workplaces, supporting people to innovate, progress, and evolve is essential.
That’s why TD Bank Group (TD) has put an important focus on investing in tech talent, including women and other under-represented communities in tech careers. To keep up with the rapid evolution of the world of work, it is critical to be inclusive and build up a strong pipeline of diverse talent. The TD focus on supporting individuals in their career journeys – from career development, upskilling and training, and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion – has shown their dedication to career progression and innovating with purpose.
Sharing the TD story
It’s always good to pause and take a breath every now and then — to reflect on how far you've come and talk about important milestones. TD Tech Day showcases the latest initiatives and innovations coming from the Bank.
"TD Tech Day is a signature annual event for reporters and influencers to hear about the unique innovation, technology, and modernization story at TD,” says Christine Morris, Senior Executive Vice-President of Transformation, Enablement, and Customer Experience at TD, and Enterprise Chair of Women at TD. “It’s an opportunity to share unique and timely stories with prospective talent, and the business community.”
TD Tech Day gives the Bank the chance to highlight some of the incredible work being done across the enterprise, building awareness around TD’s new capabilities and advancements. This year's event includes spotlighting the Bank's support of upskilling and career development, as well as how the Bank is helping to drive inclusivity for the benefit of all colleagues, customers, and communities.
Championing growth
With this year's theme of Inclusive Innovation, TD Tech Day reinforces the Bank’s commitment to strengthening its technology workforce and building a strong pipeline of diverse talent to support its innovation ecosystem. “To be able to deliver personalized, connected, and legendary experiences, you simply have to be inclusive, both in how you innovate and in the outcomes you create,” says Morris. “This is embedded as a part of who we are at TD. We’re a purposeled organization and believe in innovating with intent.”
For TD, fostering inclusivity and equity starts with cultivating a positive work environment, supporting a diverse and inclusive culture, and providing ample growth and development opportunities for colleagues.
“No one lives a stagnant life,” says Morris. “Everything evolves — our wants, our needs, and society as a whole. That’s why it’s key to provide opportunities to adapt and grow. Career development and upskilling opportunities enable our colleagues to evolve and progress.”
These opportunities to evolve, adapt, and learn can take many forms. “One example of how we're providing upskilling and career growth opportunities is through our Next Evolution of Work (NEW),” says Morris. “NEW is the largest transformation the Bank has ever undertaken, focused on simplifying how we operate and helping to empower our colleagues to deliver better outcomes, faster. Through NEW we're able to provide different ways of thinking and operating, bringing colleagues from across the Bank closer to the work, removing layers of process and empowering them to test, learn, and iterate. Simply put, equipping them with tools and experiences to progress their career in an efficient, effective way.”
The results have been incredible. With over 9,000 colleagues already following NEW ways of working we’re contributing to a new ecosystem that enables TD to be more nimble and deliver from concept to end product in a fraction of the time. It’s also helping to empower employees to explore different roles within the organization, expanding their experience and skill sets.
Elevating under-represented talent
In supporting upskilling and career development, the Bank has also undertaken a series of relationships and collaborations to further its talent growth. “TD has made it a top priority to collaborate with organizations that champion upskilling and career development,” says Morris.
One recent example is the Bank's relationship with Palette Skills, a national non-profit focused on upskilling untapped talent from equity deserving groups. “This sponsorship through the TD Ready Commitment, will directly support Palette Skills’ SalesCamp program, a comprehensive B2B tech sales training program designed to provide skills to Canadians looking to make a career change or those transitioning into their first tech sales job with no prior industry experience,” says Morris. “These new engagement efforts will focus on individuals from under-represented populations such as women, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, racialized people, 2SLGBTQ+ people, persons with disabilities, veterans, and Canadians living in rural communities.”
Supporting continuing education
TD has also worked with the University of Guelph to offer a training program in ethical artificial intelligence (AI). “Building on the theme of inclusive innovation, we’re focused on leveraging AI for the greater good and helping provide opportunities for people to succeed and fully participate in a changing world,” says Morris.
In collaboration with UGuelph’s Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI), the new AI training modules, entitled CARE About AI, are designed to support mid-career professionals and entrepreneurs in understanding ethical, responsible AI usage and in employing data effectively across a range of fields.
“Professionals will gain additional skills to help their businesses and organizations recognize and address ethical challenges
In a time where tech layoffs have predominately impacted underrepresented groups, it makes me proud to work for an organization that has doubled down on its commitment to diversify its talent pool.
posed by the increasing use of AI, from data privacy concerns to potential biases in hiring and promotion,” says Morris. “This collaboration is designed to help increase ethical AI skill sets and competencies in the workforce and build on TD’s ongoing support of a global innovation ecosystem.”
Creating community impact
Continuing with the theme of using AI for good, TD has another program which supports upskilling while promoting community giving. TD Mindpower: Analytics for Social Good was launched to help non-profits use data and analytics to discover new insights and solve challenges.
“With TD Mindpower, colleagues volunteer to work directly with non-profit organizations to help them with a wide range of projects,” says Morris. “This not only helps support the success of these organizations with data-driven insights, but also gives TD Mindpower volunteers the opportunity to learn new skills, network with colleagues across the Bank, and give back to their communities.”
Projects are tailored to help meet the non-profit's needs and can include implementing consistent ways to gather, organize, and manage data, analyzing data to identify potential gaps and opportunities, and visualizing data for storytelling and ways to demonstrate impact. Since launching, over 400 TD colleagues have volunteered with TD Mindpower to help support 40 non-profit projects across North America.
Fostering the next generation of tech talent
Through these various initiatives, the TD commitment is clear — fostering the next generation of tech talent is essential. Whether it’s helping its own employees to enjoy career progression and pivots as they expand their skill sets or tapping into relationships with recruitment and tech talent organizations to establish a pipeline of diverse talent, the Bank’s focus on inclusive innovation is all about supporting people.
“In 2023 and beyond, the TD focus remains on our people: to upskill, train, and hire, with a continued focus on inclusive talent initiatives,” says Morris. “In a time where tech layoffs have predominately impacted underrepresented groups, it makes me proud to work for an organization that has doubled down on its commitment to diversify its talent pool.”
Staying Ahead of the Game: How George Brown College Is Preparing Students for the Future
Feeling overwhelmed with the pace of change and technological advancements in the business world? George Brown College offers innovative postgraduate and degree completion programs to give you the
competitive advantage you need to thrive.
Stephanie Gilman
As technology continues to develop at an unprecedented rate, employers are placing increasing importance on hiring employees who possess the most up-to-date and relevant skills in their field — and with many young adults looking for a way to rise above their competition in today’s cutthroat job market, upskilling with continuing education may be the ticket to landing their dream job.
Upskilling for the future
Recognizing this trend of young professionals reassessing their futures and searching for ways to increase their earning potential, George Brown College's Centre for Business has developed innovative new programming that builds upon an individual's background, previous education, and interests to get them to that next level in their career.
Dr. Ian Austin, Dean of George Brown’s Centre for Business, believes it’s essential for the college’s programs to evolve with the changing times. “Our Centre for Business is never standing still,” he says.
“From our international partnerships and specialized business school accreditation to our latest industry-informed, cutting-edge programs, we’re constantly changing and adapting to market shifts so that our students can meet the needs of today's business world.”
The benefits of studying at the Centre for Business
Enrolling in a program at the Centre for Business comes with an invaluable perk: the chance to live and study in a vibrant area of downtown Toronto, right next to the Financial District. The unique downtown setting in the business and financial capital of Canada gives students the chance to learn from and network with top industry professionals from companies like IBM, Rogers, Google, and Canada’s major banks.
Not only does the school offer a prime location, it’s also internationally recognized for its excellence in business education.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs has awarded George Brown its coveted accreditation, making it one of only two colleges in Ontario to receive the designation.
What really sets the Centre for Business apart, though, are its industry-informed programs and dynamic approach to education.
“Our unique programming is really attuned to industry needs — be it specialized training in digital marketing, big data, supply chain, or trades management,” says Dr. Eileen De Courcy, Vice-President of Academic at George Brown. “These are billion-dollar industries within North America that require a unique combination of traditional business skills and hands-on training with the latest technology and practices.”
By choosing to study at the Centre for Business, students can take advantage of the school's unparalleled resources and gain the knowledge they need to make it in today's business world.
Innovative programs at George Brown College George Brown College’s innovative programs at the Centre for Business are intentionally designed to help those trying to get ahead in today's dynamic job market.
Sam Levy, Chair of the School of Accounting and Finance at George Brown, notes that the Centre for Business takes a tailored approach to helping students aim high and reach their potential. “Our postgraduate certificate programs ensure that regardless of your background or experience, you’ll be fully career-ready in just two semesters,” he says. “All of our content is synced directly with ‘need-to-know’ knowledge in industry, including accreditation and alignment with standards set by leading professional associations."
For students wanting to gain an edge in the financial sector, the college's postgraduate Financial Planning program provides an integrated approach to managing financial affairs. With a focus on developing the skills and knowledge required to become a financial or investment advisor, this program is perfect
for those with an existing business diploma or degree — or relevant work experience — who want to upskill with the goal of transitioning into the financial services field.
Business analytics skills are also increasing in demand across all industries. George Brown’s Analytics for Business Decision-Making program teaches students how to turn information into actionable insights, enabling them to tell stories with data that help decision-makers. And with flexible late afternoon, evening, and weekend coursework, this hybrid program is ideal for those looking to upskill and become a business or web analyst.
Upgrading to a bachelor’s degree may seem like a significant and time-consuming undertaking, but for some students, there’s a quicker path to completion. Students who have completed an Ontario College Diploma in digital marketing can advance to year three of George Brown’s Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing) degree program. As businesses continue to shift their focus toward digital channels, the demand is high for skilled professionals in digital marketing — and George Brown’s robust program can give graduates the tools they need to excel.
Turn your career dreams into reality
Having the most up-to-date business expertise is more important than ever in today’s crowded job market. Arming yourself with new skills not only helps you stay relevant and competitive in your field, it can also open up new career options and increase your earning power.
Today’s top employers are looking for savvy candidates who have invested in themselves and can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to their organizations. Upskilling and professional development have never been more important as they are right now, and with its innovative postgraduate programs, George Brown College is leading the charge.
Dr. Ian Austin Dean, Centre for Business, George Brown
Dr. Eileen De Courcy Vice President of Academic, George Brown
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