University College of the North joins AI Workforce Readiness program
Practical benefits for educators and students in northern Manitoba
The University College of the North (UCN) has joined the AI Workforce Readiness (AIWR) program, a national initiative led by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) and supported by Google.org. The network brings together 29 Canadian polytechnics, colleges, and universities representing over 500,000 students. The goal is straightforward: close Canada's AI skills gap and prepare the next generation of workers. The program is projected to reach about 125,000 students each year.
"At UCN, we're genuinely excited to join the Amii consortium because it puts powerful, future-ready skills directly in the hands of our students, faculty, and staff," says Tara Manych, AVP of Transformation, University College of the North. "This partnership is a meaningful step toward digital equity - not just for our institution, but for northern Manitoba as a whole. We're proud to help lead this kind of transformation, making sure that our communities don't just keep up, but thrive, as the workforce evolves."
What this means for educators
UCN Subject Matter Experts will work alongside Amii's machine learning educators in dedicated working groups to create AIWR Curriculum Resource Packages. These open-source resources are intended to fit into existing programs and courses, helping students build practical AI competencies without adding unnecessary complexity.
- Integrate essential AI concepts into current courses without a full program overhaul.
- Use open-source materials that can support multiple disciplines and learning levels.
- Leverage working groups to share approaches, classroom activities, and outcomes.
- Focus on job-relevant skills that help students contribute on day one in the workplace.
National collaboration with local impact
"Amii's goal has always been to make AI education accessible, and the AI Workforce Readiness program is the culmination of that commitment. We are excited to work with our inaugural group as part of a growing national network," says Cam Linke, Amii CEO. "By fostering a strong national collaboration, we are directly addressing the urgent AI skills gap and empowering both instructors and students - especially those in underserved communities - with the necessary AI literacy skills and resources. This foundational work ensures that post-secondary students across the country are equipped for the future of work."
For UCN, this means access to a coordinated, Canada-wide effort with shared resources and evidence-based practices. Educators can expect common language, reusable materials, and a clear path to incorporate AI literacy into current curricula.
How UCN faculty and staff can get involved
- Identify 1-2 courses per program where AI concepts naturally fit (e.g., data, ethics, business processes, health documentation).
- Join or connect with the working groups to review draft materials and classroom-use examples.
- Pilot modules, gather student feedback, and iterate with your department.
- Coordinate with program leads to align outcomes and avoid duplication across courses.
If you're planning curriculum updates, you can also compare skills paths using curated AI course libraries: Complete AI Training - Courses by Skill.
UCN statement
UCN is proud to be part of this strong national network that is leading the way in building Canada's AI-ready workforce.
More information
University College of the North
436, 7th Street East
The Pas
Manitoba
Canada R9A 1M7
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