FutureWave is TECHNATION’s annual hybrid event exploring the future of the tech workforce in Canada. Taking place during Work Integrated Learning month in March, this conference invites diverse voices in the tech space and beyond to discuss ways in which we can support our future leaders with experiential learning opportunities. This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program.
About the Conference
TECHNATION’s FutureWave convenes industry leaders, educators, and policymakers to reimagine post-secondary education and meet the evolving needs of Canada’s digital economy. This year’s event focuses on bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience, with a spotlight on fully-integrated degree programs – a transformative approach to Work Integrated Learning (WIL) currently emerging in Canada. As part of this model, students work continuously with a single employer throughout their studies, while spending roughly 80% of their course time working.
By centering curricula on industry needs and embedding more significant experiential learning at every stage, these programs ensure graduates are job-ready from day one. Discussions will explore the practicalities, benefits, and potential policy supports needed to scale this model, ultimately driving innovation in WIL and charting a future-ready path for Canada’s tech talent.
- March 6, 2025
- In person at NorQuest College in Edmonton, AB & virtual
Meet Your Host
Brett Hotas – Executive Director, Future Workforce Development Strategy, TECHNATION Canada
Brett Hotas currently serves as the Executive Director of Future Workforce Development Strategy at TECHNATION – Canada’s largest technology industry association, and your hosting organization at FutureWave! He has led the organization’s Student Work Placement Program, Career Ready, for over 6 years, stewarding nearly $250M in funds from the Government of Canada to ensure young Canadians are met with equitable and inclusive career pathways into STEM careers. He and his team are currently focused on WIL programming streams that focus on AI and Indigenization.
Agenda
Thursday, March 6
9:00-9:15 am – Registration and coffee
9:15-9:45 am – Welcome remarks
9:45-10:45 am – The Future of Post-Secondary: Why Fully-Integrated Degrees Are the Answer
10:45-11:00 am – Coffee break
11:00 am-12:00 pm – Industry Playbook: How Employers Can Benefit from Fully-Integrated WIL
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch and Speed Connect Networking
1:00-2:00 pm – Indigenizing WIL and Education Pathways
1:00-2:00 pm – AI and the Future of Work Integrated Learning
2:00-3:00 pm – Making Fully-Integrated Degrees the Standard: The Role of Government and Policy
3:00-3:15 pm – Coffee break
3:15-4:15 pm – Building the Blueprint: Industry and Academia Roadmaps for the Future of WIL
4:15-4:30 pm – Closing notes
4:30-5:30 pm – Networking
Panel Topics
Discussion topics at FutureWave will include:
The Future of Post-Secondary: Why Fully-Integrated Degrees Are the Answer
The current post-secondary model has served us well for centuries, but we are in an unprecedented time of technological advancement that has left post-secondary education with an identity crisis. Fully-integrated degree programs – where students spend 80% of their time working and 20% in class – offer a timely solution to employer frustrations with graduate readiness. This session covers how Canada can embrace this model to become a leader in post-secondary innovation, highlights success stories, and explores the urgency of change.
Industry Playbook: How Employers Can Benefit from Fully-Integrated WIL
Many employers don’t fully understand fully-integrated WIL. Some hesitate to engage, while others see the long-term value but aren’t sure how to participate. This session breaks it down for industry leaders, debunks misconceptions, and provides a roadmap for success.
Indigenizing WIL and Education Pathways
Indigenous Ways of Knowing need to be considered in any new infrastructures being developed in Canada. This session will outline the ways in which Indigenous Ways of Knowing can improve outcomes for fully work-integrated learning. Participants will discuss methods to support Indigenous learners and employers, and how to create industry-academic partnerships that are both meaningful and culturally appropriate.
AI and the Future of Work-Integrated Learning
AI and automation are transforming education and employment while reshaping job readiness and workforce expectations. Academic institutions and employers are eager to integrate AI into one of the strongest threads that connects them – WIL. But there is a lot of uncertainty about its role and how to adopt this technology appropriately. This discussion explores how AI is evolving WIL, its impact on job readiness, and how academia and industry can prepare students for an AI-driven workforce.
Making Fully-Integrated Degrees the Standard: The Role of Government and Policy
Scaling fully-integrated WIL degrees requires policy change, funding, and government buy-in. The value is recognized between stakeholders and policymakers, but fully-integrated degrees face barriers to implementation and wide-scale adoption. This session explores what policy shifts, funding mechanisms, and incentives are needed to make these programs more widely available where they could be best applied.
Building the Blueprint: Industry and Academia Roadmaps for the Future of WIL
We want all FutureWave participants to have their voice heard and considered in building the path forward. This interactive panel and co-development session will result in the creation of new roadmaps for success in the future of WIL.
Experts will discuss challenges and solutions before attendees break into industry and academic groups to discuss strategies for:
- Businesses to integrate fully-integrated WIL into workforce planning
- Post-secondary institutions to scale and sustain these programs effectively
These discussions will result in the creation of actionable roadmaps that will be used to develop fully-integrated degree programs across Canada.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Align your organization with FutureWave as a sponsor to gain brand awareness, speaking opportunities, and networking and promotional benefits. Explore the sponsorship package here.
Contact Tim Sidock for more information on sponsorship opportunities.
Partners
Thank you to our valued partners for making FutureWave 2025 possible.
Supporting Partner
Community Partner
Funding Partner
