FutureWave 2026

A full day with Canada’s tech, government, and education leaders on building the workforce behind Canada’s tech ambitions. As Canada invests in innovation and productivity, FutureWave 2026 asks a practical question: What will it take to build the workforce that delivers on those ambitions? Under the theme Building Canada’s Tech Advantage – Turning Ambition into Delivery, this event moves beyond strategy to implementation, focusing on how Work-Integrated Learning, employer partnerships, and talent development can strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies. Throughout the day, participants will share real-world examples, identify barriers to talent development, and co-create practical solutions that help employers hire, educators innovate, and students launch meaningful careers in Canada’s growing digital economy. Featured Discussions • Building Canada’s Workforce Advantage: What talent will Canada’s fastest-growing technology sectors need over the next decade? • Hiring for Growth: How can employers, especially SMEs, build successful early-career hiring strategies? • From Campus to Competitive Advantage: How can colleges and universities accelerate innovation through stronger employer partnerships? • Growth That Reaches Every Community: What does a truly national technology workforce strategy look like? • Trust, Talent & Opportunity: Lessons in Building Community-Centred Workforce Development Programs • Closing Session – The Tech Advantage Playbook: Participants collaborate to identify the highest-impact actions employers, educators, and policymakers can take to strengthen Canada’s technology workforce. What You’ll Take Away • Employer action: Practical strategies for hiring, mentoring, and retaining emerging talent • Innovation partnerships: Stronger collaboration between industry, colleges, universities, and governments • Regional impact: New ideas for expanding technology opportunities beyond major urban centres, including Indigenous communities, rural regions, startups, and small businesses • The Tech Advantage Playbook: A shared set of recommendations to take back to your organization Want to learn more? Find more details about FutureWave 2026 HERE. Who Should Attend Technology leaders, employers, HR and talent leaders, post-secondary educators and administrators, and policymakers working to build Canada’s technology workforce. Connect with the Next Generation of Talent Alongside FutureWave, TECHNATION is hosting Mentor Meetup, a separate event on the same day where post-secondary students are matched with professionals for small-group mentoring. Interested in mentoring, or know students who would benefit? Find the time, location, and registration details HERE.