Episode #83: "250 Students in One Year: Filling Canada’s Mental Health Skills Gap with Dylan Matter” with Dylan Matter
What does it actually take to change a family’s trajectory? In this episode of EdUp Canada, host Michael Sangster sits down with Dylan Matter, Chief Operating Officer of Cambria College in British Columbia — a leader with 18 years in the career college sector who has quietly become one of its most respected voices.
Dylan opens up about his unlikely entry into education (hint: it started behind a coffee bar), what it means to watch a first-generation graduate walk across a stage surrounded by 15 proud family members, and how Cambria trained 250 mental health support workers in a single year — not because the government asked, but because the community needed it.
Together, Dylan and Michael dig into the layers of regulation most people never see, why the location of a career college in a strip mall or above a restaurant is a deliberate strategy — not a compromise — and what it really means when a school’s survival depends entirely on whether its graduates find jobs. This is an honest, grounded conversation about what skills training looks like from the inside.
Episode #82: "The College Where Volunteering Pays the Tuition” with Tim Ogilvie
What happens when the healthcare system is so desperate for trained workers that employers are sponsoring students before they've even been accepted into a program? That's just one of the realities Tim Ogilvie — VP and Dean of MCG Career College and Chair of the Alberta Association of Career Colleges — unpacks in this conversation.
Tim grew up in rural Nova Scotia, the son of a factory worker, and found his footing through a small private career college. That experience never left him — and it's driven a career built on fighting for students who need fast, flexible, affordable pathways into the workforce. From healthcare programs with $25,000 signing bonuses to a college that lets students pay 100% of their tuition through community volunteering, Tim makes the case — with data and hard-won stories — that career colleges aren't an alternative path. They're often the best one.
Episode #81: "Most Working Actors Trained at a Career College" with Michael Coleman
What does it actually take to build a lasting career in one of Canada's most dynamic industries — film and television? Michael Coleman, President and CEO of Vancouver's Story Institute, has spent over 35 years answering that question from every angle: as a working actor, a prolific writer, a voice artist, and now as the founder of a provincially regulated career college that does one thing exceptionally well.
In this episode, Michael pulls back the curtain on what makes career college training fundamentally different from a traditional academic path — and why that difference matters for students, for the industry, and for the broader Canadian economy. From a student who landed a role in a Christoph Waltz feature, to a graduate who became a fan favourite on a globally streamed series, Michael's stories illuminate what happens when practical training meets real industry opportunity.
Whether you're weighing your options for skills training, leading an institution, or thinking about how career colleges contribute to local economies, this conversation will shift the way you think about what education can look like.
Episode #80: Alex Usher on Post-Secondary Squeeze, Student Debt, and the Future of International Education
What does Canada's post-secondary system actually deliver — and for whom? In this candid, wide-ranging conversation, Michael Sangster sits down with Alex Usher, one of Canada's most respected higher education analysts and president of Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA), to take an honest look at the pressures reshaping post-secondary education in Canada.
Usher pulls no punches: university systems are more financially fragile than colleges, student debt is set for a sharp rebound, and Canada may be sleep-walking into a workforce crisis driven by demographic decline and misguided immigration policy. But there's optimism here too — for the institutions nimble enough to move fast, build strong outcomes, and demonstrate clear value for students and society.
This episode weaves through student debt trends, OSAP reform, the international student caps, global talent flows, career college perceptions, and the remarkable resilience of skills-first education — all filtered through Usher's signature blend of data rigour and straight talk. Whether you're setting education policy, leading a career college, or deciding where to invest your tuition dollars, this conversation gives you the unvarnished picture.
Episode #79: No ECE Shortage, No Waitlists: What One Province Got Right with Cindy Lidster
Canada's healthcare workforce isn't just stretched — it's cracking. And the institutions best positioned to fix it are being overlooked, undersupported, and in some cases, actively undercut by operators running so-called "colleges" that are little more than nursing homes with a logo.
In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster sits down with Cindy Lidster — a former nursing professor at the University of New Brunswick turned career college founder and president of the New Brunswick Association of Private Colleges and Universities. Cindy saw two things coming in 2014 that nobody wanted to believe: that the future of frontline nursing would be delivered primarily by personal support workers and healthcare aides, and that the future of education delivery was going online. She built her college around both predictions before most institutions had even started the conversation. When the pandemic hit, she was ready.
In this episode, you'll hear what it actually looks like to run a high-standards career college in a province that's quietly building one of the most collaborative relationships between private colleges and government in the country. You'll hear about two women in their early twenties who gave up their home in Scarborough, quit their jobs, and moved to New Brunswick — all to enroll in a PSW program they hoped would lead to permanent residency and a career in care. Their placement partners want to hire them full-time. Cindy is quietly waiting to see how it ends.
You'll also hear about a sector working hard to clean its own house: the site visits that revealed "colleges" operating out of care homes, the association standards being built to mean something beyond a government checkbox, and the LPN training waitlists that are already so long Cindy is drafting a proposal for a third provider in the province.
If you've ever wondered whether skills-based training can genuinely change someone's life — or what it looks like when a province actually gets career college policy right — this episode is a masterclass.
Episode 78: 3,000 Jobs, No Graduates: Career Colleges and Canada's Dental Crisis with Cheryl Russell-Julien & Tara Fitzpatrick
Canada is in the middle of a dental assisting crisis — and most people have no idea. In this special Dental Assistants Recognition Week edition of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster sits down with two of the sector's most respected voices: Cheryl Russell-Julien, Director of Academics and Quality Assurance at a regulated career college and a leader within NACC member institutions, and Tara Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA).
Together, they unpack what it actually takes to become a dental assistant through a career college, why over 3,000 dental assistant positions sit vacant in Ontario alone, and why recent changes to federal and provincial training grant funding could make things dramatically worse. You'll hear real stories from the chair — from a dentist in Cornwall who couldn't open his office for three days because his assistant was sick, to students who walked out of career college programs feeling genuinely prepared, career-ready, and connected to a profession for life.
If you've ever wondered whether a short, focused training program can truly launch a meaningful career — or what happens when healthcare workforce pipelines start to crack — this episode is your answer.
Episode 77: Dental Assistant Recognition Week: Natalie Marsh on Demand, Training, and the Future of Canada’s Oral Health Workforce
On the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster speaks with Natalie Marsh, President of the Canadian Dental Assistants Association, to mark Dental Assistant Recognition Week and discuss the essential role dental assistants play in Canada’s oral healthcare system amid growing attention on dental care and the CDCP. Marsh describes significant demand across provinces, growing student interest with waitlists, and persistent shortages tied to retention, fair wages, licensing costs, and maternity leaves and retirements. She explains the one-year, dentistry-focused training pathway, national licensing exam, and province-by-province differences in scope of practice that complicate mobility and drive the need for greater standardization. Marsh shares why the work is rewarding—especially helping patients regain smiles with dentures—highlights posture and adaptability as key skills, and emphasizes advocacy to make dental assisting better understood as a regulated healthcare profession.
Episode #76: Breaking Profession Prejudice: The Real Value of Skills Training with MP Garnett Genuis
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.
Episode #75: 30% Hired Before Graduation: The Career College Advantage That's Changing Canadian Lives with Nik Nanos
Join host Michael Sangster for a deep dive into groundbreaking research with one of Canada's most respected pollsters, Nik Nanos (Order of Canada, Chancellor of Carleton University). Fresh data from nearly 3,000 career college graduates reveals stunning employment outcomes and the urgent financial realities facing students who are reshaping their careers.
Key Findings:
30% of graduates hired BEFORE finishing their program
Over 80% employed in their field of study
60% find work within 90 days
75% of students working while studying
40% are parents balancing education and family
This isn't your typical education conversation. It's about agility, resilience, and how Canada's career colleges are meeting the workforce exactly where it needs to be.
Episode #74: What does Canada need to be a leader in the world in AI? With Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation in Canada
In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster engages in a detailed conversation with Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary and Federal Government MP from British Columbia, recorded live on Parliament Hill. They discuss a wide range of topics including Noormohamed's unconventional career trajectory, his experiences in the tech and political sectors, and his work during significant events like the 2010 Olympics and various crises in British Columbia. The conversation highlights the importance of upskilling, lifelong learning, and the role of various educational institutions in workforce development. They also address current government efforts in AI, digital innovation, and immigration policies aimed at attracting skilled workers to Canada.
Episode #73: Adapting AI for Modern Career Education with Mujo Learning Systems with Dave Shaw
In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster speaks with Dave Shaw, Production Manager at Mujo Learning Systems. They discuss the importance of experimenting with new technologies, particularly in the field of education. Dave shares insights into how Mujo provides up-to-date, practical curriculum packages for career colleges, focusing on rapidly changing fields like digital marketing and artificial intelligence. The conversation also covers the development of courses tailored to current industry practices, the importance of adaptability, and the benefits of asynchronous learning models.
This episode is sponsored by Gale Force Wins
Gale Force Wins is an Atlantic Canadian and veteran-owned digital content company specializing in genuine, authentic storytelling that emotionally connects with your audience.
They focus on capturing the real stories about regulated career colleges from students and faculty to employers and community partners. Their team comes right to your location and quickly creates powerful content to support your marketing efforts, saving you time and money. Graduation ceremonies are a perfect time to capture those special moments with all the key people in one place.
NACC members get a special offer when booking early, so don't miss out. Visit www.galeforcewins.com to learn more. Gale force wins genuine and authentic storytelling done with speed and ease.
Episode #72: What is King’s Trust Canada getting right about investing in young people with Jeffrey Orridge
In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster interviews Jeffrey Orridge, former CFL commissioner and new head of the King's Trust Canada. They discuss the mission of King's Trust, focusing on empowering youth facing barriers through skills development and workforce readiness. Orridge outlines the organization's programs, which include mentorship, networking events, and an online skills academy. They also touch upon Orridge's diverse career path from law to marketing and his experiences with influential mentors. The episode underscores the importance of soft skills, critical thinking, and adaptability in achieving career success.
This episode is brought to you by Halladay Education Group Inc
Led by Doug Halladay, Halladay Education Group is North America's Leading M and A advisory firm focusing exclusively on the sale of private educational institutions, including career colleges across Canada and the United States.
With decades of experience and a global reach, they provide confidential, customized solutions to help owners plan a successful exit, maximizing value, and protecting their legacy. Right now, there is exceptional buyer demand for healthcare-focused career colleges serving primarily domestic students. If your institution offers programs in healthcare, personal support, medical administration, or nursing pathways, this is an ideal time for you to explore your options.
Whether you're ready to sell, considering your future, or just curious about market trends. Halladay offers expert guidance through the entire sale or merger process from preparation to closing. They work closely with you to ensure a smooth strategic transition with minimal disruption. If you're a career college owner, don't wait.
Reach out for a confidential, no obligation consultation to learn what your school might be worth in today's market. Visit holidayeducationgroup.com to schedule your private consultation. The trusted name in private school sales, maximizing value, minimizing disruption.
Episode #71: "Focus on just giving the right information." What Admissions Needs to Do to Ensure Optimal Student Fit with Sterling Simpson
In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster is joined by Sterling Simpson, Vice President of Business Development at Enrollment Resources. They discuss the crucial role of regulated career colleges in helping students find the right educational paths and the impactful work these institutions are doing to improve lives. Sterling shares his unique journey from a career in digital marketing to his current role, where he uses his expertise to enhance student experiences and outcomes within the career college sector. They also highlight the importance of quality education, employer partnerships, and the high level of regulation these colleges adhere to, ensuring successful career transitions for students.
This episode of the EdUp Canada podcast is brought to you by Points for School
You can use your mileage points to pay for tuition. No more trips and toasters for mom and dad.
Why not use those points for tuition? Check out Points for School on the NACC website and see if it's something that'd be good for you or your institution.
Episode #70: "From Crisis to Opportunity: A Journey Through Canada’s Construction Industry”
In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster is joined by Rod Gilbert, President of the Canadian Construction Association, to discuss the vital need for skilled workers across various sectors, particularly in construction. The conversation delves into the essential role of training and continuous learning in building a successful career and supporting national infrastructure. Rod highlights the significant challenges and opportunities within the industry, the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, industry, and government, and the critical need for strategic immigration and public policy alignment. Additionally, the discussion touches on the impact of tariffs, the need for comprehensive infrastructure planning, and the role of mentoring in professional growth.
This episode is brought to you by CTMS Travel Group
CTMS is a proudly Canadian company and the official travel management partner of NACC. With more than 40 years of experience and a people-first approach, they know how to make travel seamless for regulated career colleges, whether it’s a single flight or a large group event.
Travel planning can quickly become time-consuming and overwhelming, especially for busy education teams. That’s where CTMS stands out. Their expert team provides customized travel programs, exclusive pre-negotiated rates, and full support for budgeting, compliance tracking, and even emergency assistance, with 24/7 access to real professionals when you need it most.
And here’s the best part: NACC members can take advantage of zero booking fees until December 31st.
CTMS Travel: corporate travel made simple. To learn more, visit ctmstravel.com or call 1-866-359-2867.
Episode #69: "5 Strategies to Enhance Student Recruitment for Career Colleges with Philippe Taza of Higher Education Marketing”
In this episode of the Edup Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster welcomes Philippe Taza, CEO of Higher Education Marketing (HEM). They discuss the crucial role that external vendors like HEM play in connecting students to the right educational programs. Philippe shares insights on the evolution of digital marketing and attribution, illustrating how complex and multifaceted student recruitment has become. The conversation also touches on the importance of mentorship in career colleges and how impactful moments can shape careers. Philippe emphasizes the significance of continuous learning and adaptation, particularly with the rise of AI technologies like ChatGPT. This episode encapsulates the mission of Edup Canada: exploring how training and skills can lead to lasting career success.
This episode is brought to you by ArchieCPL by KnowMeQ
Archie is a revolutionary credit for prior learning tool that turns PLAR into a recruitment revenue-generating superpower. Archie turns applicants into students in minutes, and it can do it with incredible accuracy that saves colleges and applicants time and money.
So you can say buy, buy, buy to manual eligibility assessments, and that means more students in the right program and on the path to success. You can learn more about Archie at knowmeq.com. When you're there, you can book a free demo, and when you meet with their team of educators on a demo, mention Ed up Canada to activate Archie for free for three months at your college.
Big conversations start with Archie.
Episode #68: "Behind the Blueprints: The Secrets and Strategies of Building a Lasting Career in Trades with Tania Johnston”
In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster interviews Tania Johnston, CEO of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada. They discuss the wide range of career opportunities available within the mechanical trades, emphasizing the importance of apprenticeship programs, advocacy, and the significant roles these trades play in the construction industry. Tania provides insights into the association’s efforts to address labor shortages, promote women in trades, and the impact of their advocacy work. They also highlight the need to reintroduce trade education in high schools and advocate for targeted immigration to address workforce gaps. The episode concludes with a discussion on the benefits of mentorship and the various paths within the mechanical trades that can lead to long-term, fulfilling careers.
This episode is brought to you by HEM Education Marketing Solutions
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from speaking with schools across the country, it’s that having a strong admissions and marketing system isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. That’s where HEM comes in.
HEM has been working with regulated career colleges since 2008, offering data-driven digital marketing and a powerful all-in-one CRM & Student Management System called HEM-SP, built specifically for education. It streamlines everything, inquiries, applications, payments, scheduling, and more, freeing up your team to focus on what matters most: supporting students.
What stands out to me is how much colleges trust HEM to help them grow, and how often they stay long-term. It’s a sign that their approach actually works.
Want to see what HEM can do for your school? Visit www.hem.agency to book your free 15-minute strategy call and get a personalized demo.
Episode #67: "Why Skilled Trades Are Canada's Next Big Thing with Shaun Thorson of Skills Canada”
In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster interviews Shaun Thorson, the CEO of Skills Canada. They discuss the significance of skilled trades for young Canadians and the country's economy, the transformative role of Skills Canada in promoting these careers, and the impact of competitions in fostering technical skills. Thorson shares details about national and international skill competitions, and his thoughts on the future challenges and opportunities in the skilled trades sector. Additionally, they touch on the necessity of early exposure to trades for youth and the need for broader awareness of the various occupational opportunities.
This episode is sponsored by Enriched Academy
Enriched Academy is on a mission to equip career college students with essential financial skills, from budgeting and credit management to building long-term wealth. With engaging video lessons, interactive webinars, and fun contests, they make learning about money practical, accessible, and even enjoyable.
I’ve seen firsthand how financial stress can hold students back, which is why I really value how this program gives learners tools that go beyond the classroom. Many students have shared how these skills have improved their money management and future planning. It’s financial education that lasts.
If you want to help your students take control of their financial future and reduce stress, visit enrichedacademy.com to book a meeting and see how they can support your school’s goals.
Enriched Academy: because everyone deserves financial awareness.
Episode #66: "Inside Canada’s Auto Care Sector with JF Champagne”
On this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, hosted by Michael Sangster, guest JF Champagne, President and CEO of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada), discusses the often-overlooked significance of the auto care sector. With 500,000 people employed across Canada, the sector provides numerous rewarding career opportunities whether in urban or rural areas. The conversation covers the evolving skills needed due to advancements in automotive technology and the importance of industry-led training programs. Champagne also sheds light on the 'right to repair' advocacy, the sector's labor shortages, and the benefits of government-industry collaboration. The episode aims to highlight the sector's potential for those seeking stable, well-paying, and dynamically evolving careers.
Pearson Canada is the sponsor for this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast
Pearson is all about helping students, instructors, and institutions connect learning to real-life goals. Their Connected Learning program combines expert content, intuitive digital platforms, and study tools, including their newest AI Study Tool, designed to support personalized, productive, and ethical learning experiences.
I recently explored their AI Study Tool myself, and I was impressed by how it helps students and instructors use generative AI responsibly to boost study and exam prep. Educators across the country are seeing how Pearson’s tools are enhancing the learning experience, helping students stay engaged, build confidence, and feel more prepared for exams through personalized support.
If you want to see how Pearson’s resources can support your institution and students, visit pearson.com or email Sarah Zantingh at sarah.zantingh@pearsoned.com.
Pearson Canada: where learning comes to life.
Episode #65: "The Intriguing Connection Between Immigration and the Healthcare Workforce with Terry Lake of the BC Care Providers Association”
In episode 65 of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster engages in a compelling conversation with Terry Lake, the current CEO of the BC Care Providers Association. Terry shares his diverse career journey, from being a disc jockey and veterinarian to serving as the Minister of Health in British Columbia. They discuss the fundamental challenges of Canada's healthcare system, the significant impact of the aging baby boomer population, and innovative workforce solutions. Terry also emphasizes the critical role of immigration and education in addressing healthcare staffing shortages. The episode provides valuable insights into the complexities of managing healthcare and long-term care in Canada, highlighting the need for strategic planning and collaboration across various sectors.
This episode is brought to you by Placement Pass by ParaMed
With over 10,000 staff and 150,000 clients, ParaMed is a trusted leader in Canadian healthcare. Their Placement Pass platform makes managing student placement screenings easy and efficient, whether for healthcare programs or other fields.
I’ve heard from faculty who feel overwhelmed handling medical clearances, background checks, and paperwork. Placement Pass takes that weight off their shoulders by offering a smooth, user-friendly process for students, supported by over 2000 nurses and overseen by a Chief Medical Officer, a Chief Nursing Executive and Quality and Risk Team.
Colleges tell me it’s a total game-changer: less stress for staff, safer placements, and students who feel confident and ready for their roles.
And the best part? There’s no cost to your school.
If your institution wants to simplify clearance processes, reduce risk, and keep the focus on student success, check out Placement Pass by ParaMed.
Episode #64: "Why Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee Believes Career Colleges Are a Perfect Fit for the Navy”
In this episode of the Ed Up Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster sits down with Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee to discuss the various career opportunities available within the Royal Canadian Navy. They explore the importance of defense, the Naval Experience Program, and the significant roles both on and off the ship. Topshee shares insights from his own career journey, the value of leadership and mentoring, and how technological advancements have changed naval operations. Additionally, they highlight the support systems in place for the families of military personnel and the potential for educational benefits during and after service.
This episode is brought to you by Gale Force Wins
A proud Atlantic Canadian and veteran-owned digital content company. Gale Force Wins specializes in telling the authentic stories of regulated career colleges. Through interviews and on-location filming, they will quickly capture powerful moments that truly connect with your audience. From students to staff and community stakeholders, Gale Force Wins brings your college's impact to life with ease.
Respect for your time and budget. Graduation ceremonies are a fantastic opportunity to showcase your college's success. And Gale Force wins is ready to capture it all. NACC members can take advantage of a special early booking offer. Find out more at Galeforcewins.com. Gale force wins genuine and authentic storytelling done with speed and ease.