The EdUp Canada Podcast

MP Garnett Genuis, Conservative Shadow Minister for Employment, joins host Michael Sangster to tackle Canada's youth unemployment crisis and reveal why career colleges are essential to closing the nation's skills gap. This conversation goes beyond politics to explore how training systems can—and must—evolve to meet labour market demands, the hidden costs of "profession prejudice," and why every job deserves dignity and respect.

5 Reasons You Should Listen

• Discover the real drivers behind youth unemployment – Learn how immigration policy, training misalignment, and economic factors create barriers for young workers, plus specific policy solutions being proposed to address these systemic issues.

• Understand the 80% employment success rate – Hear about groundbreaking research showing career college graduates find work directly related to their training at rates traditional universities can't match, revealing what makes skills-focused education so effective.

• Learn about policy changes affecting student aid – Get the inside story on Budget 2024's proposal to eliminate student grants for private institutions and why this could hurt the very programs training workers in high-demand fields like nursing and healthcare.

• Explore how to match training with real job opportunities – Gain insights into the geography gaps, skills mismatches, and credential recognition challenges preventing qualified workers from filling available positions across Canada.

• Rethink what makes a "good" career – Challenge assumptions about university versus trades through powerful stories about personal support workers, skilled tradespeople, and the philosophy that all work—when done with creativity and passion—deserves equal respect.

On this special episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, Sea of Opportunities, host Michael Sangster sits down with Lieutenant Jordan Monroe, a 16-year Royal Canadian Navy veteran and Naval Warfare Officer aboard HMCS St. John's. Currently deployed on a six-month mission to Europe, Lt. Monroe shares candid insights into what naval careers actually look like—from the educational opportunities that drew him in, to the 702 days he's spent at sea, to the leadership skills that make veterans invaluable in any workforce.

This conversation goes beyond recruitment talking points. Lt. Monroe discusses the real challenges of deployment life, how modern connectivity is revolutionizing family communication at sea, and why the ability to "learn fast and deal with things you've never seen before" is the most transferable skill the military builds. Whether you're exploring naval careers, working with veterans, or simply curious about what life aboard a Canadian warship entails, this episode offers an authentic look at service, sacrifice, and skill development.

On this special episode of the EdUp Canada Podcast, Sea of Opportunities, host Michael Sangster sits down with Petty Officer First Class Anthony Hickey aboard HMCS St. John's Halifax in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With 21 years of service in the Royal Canadian Navy, Hickey shares his journey from basic training to becoming an Above Water Warfare Director—the pinnacle of his specialized trade.

In this conversation, Hickey opens up about leading a team of 15 sailors, the profound moments that make naval service rewarding (including unexpected whale watching), and the real sacrifices families make to support those who serve. He discusses his six deployments across the Persian Gulf, Black Sea, and Baltic regions, and explains what Operation Reassurance 2025 means for Canada's NATO commitments.

This episode explores the unique career opportunities available in the Royal Canadian Navy, from specialized electronic warfare training to leadership development programs. Hickey also addresses the evolution of family support systems within the military and why more Canadians need to understand the scope and impact of the RCN's global operations.

Whether you're an elected official considering military investments, a career college leader exploring partnership opportunities, or a student seeking a meaningful career path, this conversation offers an authentic look at what naval service truly means.