EdUp Canada

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.

[00:02:00] — Cindy saw the future of nursing and online education coming in 2014, built her college around both predictions, and was fully ready when the pandemic proved her right.

[00:05:00] — She can teach the science, the skills, and the math — but the one thing she can't teach, and keeps trying hardest to, is how to genuinely care for another person.

[00:06:00] — Cindy has done the site visits, and some of the institutions calling themselves career colleges in New Brunswick are, in her words, nursing homes with a logo.

[00:09:00] — Two best friends left Scarborough, gave up their jobs and their home, and moved to New Brunswick to enroll in a PSW program — and their practicum partners want to hire them full-time.

[00:11:00] — ACAHS has no fixed cohorts, pre-recorded lectures, online testing, and instructors who hand out their cell numbers — because education should fit around life, not the other way around.

[00:13:00] — New Brunswick's LPN waitlists are already too long to clear, one province solved its ECE shortage simply by never restricting career college training, and Cindy is already writing the proposal for a third LPN provider.

[00:15:00] — The skill Cindy credits most for everything she's built is the one she spent decades talking herself out of: trusting what she sees when nobody else is asking the question.

[00:21:00] — Cindy's closing message on why career college graduates belong in care settings is really about one thing: the people they'll be caring for are the most vulnerable, and they deserve someone who is genuinely prepared.

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/x4ojFaNbRoV

Listen to past episodes here: https://www.edupcanada.ca/

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.

1. The workforce numbers are alarming — and close to home. Over 3,000 dental assistant positions are currently unfilled in Ontario, and two-thirds of dental offices need at least one assistant to operate. This episode breaks down exactly what's driving that shortage and what's at stake for oral health access across Canada.

2. You'll hear what the real standards are — and why they matter. Cheryl Russell-Julien walks through the rigorous approval, accreditation, and inspection process that career college dental programs must pass before a single student sets foot in a clinic. It's a compelling case for why program quality and funding go hand in hand.

3. Career college graduates are driving this profession. The majority of dental assistants in Ontario graduate from career colleges. Tara Fitzpatrick explains why the ODAA has built formal partnerships with career college networks — and what makes career-college-trained graduates stand out when they walk into a dental office.

4. The funding changes in Ottawa and Queen's Park have real consequences for real patients. Cheryl and Tara connect the dots between cuts to training grants, an increase in untrained dental 'helpers,' and the growing risk to public safety — including a national dental care plan that can't be delivered without the assistants to support it.

5. This episode shows what a career — not just a job — actually looks like. Tara worked chairside for 13 years, still counts former patients as close friends, and now leads a provincial association. Cheryl wanted to be a mechanic and ended up building a 45-year career that grew from every skill dental assisting taught her. Their stories are a masterclass in what skills-based training can unlock.

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/rKJaJ6QS6Eu

Listen to past episodes here: https://www.edupcanada.ca/

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.

00:37 Dental Assistants Spotlight

01:41 Demand and Interest

03:29 Retention and Pay

04:55 Career Rewards and Impact

07:12 Ergonomics and Longevity

08:00 Training and Standards

10:55 Nova Scotia Pipeline

12:49 Public Awareness and Advocacy

16:47 Mentoring Future Assistants

19:36 Skills for Success

21:48 Recognition Week and Teamwork

24:54 How to Explore the Career

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/xKg2rmAm6xx

Listen to past episodes here: https://www.edupcanada.ca/

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.

04:00 — When Three Siblings Choose the Same Path

06:00 — The 80% Employment Rate Universities Can't Match

11:00 — Navigating the Student Grant Changes Ahead

18:00 — The Weekly Flight from Newfoundland to Alberta

21:00 — Training Canadians to Cook Specialized Cuisine

26:00 — What a Doctor Taught His Politician Son

30:00 — The Plumber with a Physician's Passion

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/nojV4EmeSY3

Listen to past episodes here: https://www.edupcanada.ca/

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.

Key Moments:

00:00 - Opening: The transferable skills military service builds for civilian careers

02:00 - Why Lt. Monroe joined the Navy: family legacy, educational opportunities, and job security

04:00 - Life at sea: reaching 702 days on the water and the milestones sailors earn

06:00 - A day in the life of an Operations Officer: multitasking, planning, and constant learning

09:00 - Growing up fast: how military service accelerates personal and professional maturation

10:00 - Message to future sailors: learning invaluable skills that translate to any career path

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/viLWaTMLcKP

Explore a career in the Royal Canadian Navy⁠: https://forces.ca/en/naval-experience-program/

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.

Key Moments:

05:00 - Leadership opportunities and mentoring the next generation of sailors

06:00 - The reality of isolation at sea: Why the International Space Station crew is closer than any land-based humans

09:00 - How family support systems have evolved in the Navy and why they're critical to mission success

11:00 - Why more Canadians need to know about the RCN's global operations and the pride of wearing the flag

14:00 - Reaching the career pinnacle: 18 years of training culminating in the Above Water Warfare Director role

Read the full transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/y92CQPHmel4

Explore a career in the Royal Canadian Navy⁠: https://forces.ca/en/naval-experience-program/

On this special episode of the EdUp Canada Podcast, Sea of Opportunities, host Michael Sangster sits down with Lieutenant (Navy) Buxton, Weapons Officer aboard HMCS St. Johns, as the ship crosses the Atlantic on deployment.

With 18 years of service and nearly seven more to go on his current contract, Lt(N) Buxton shares his journey from a 19-year-old recruit to a senior operations room officer commanding critical warfare systems. He discusses why he joined (hint: paid university education at Royal Military College was a major draw), what keeps him serving, and his honest advice for anyone considering a naval career.

From 12-hour watch shifts to coordinating complex warfare operations, Lt(N) Buxton provides a rare insider's perspective on what leadership actually looks like in the Royal Canadian Navy. He also opens up about how the Navy's culture has evolved—with dramatically improved mental health supports and family services that make deployment more manageable for service members and their loved ones.

Whether you're a student exploring technical careers, an educator guiding workforce development, or a leader interested in modern military employment practices, this episode reveals why the Navy remains an attractive career option for skilled Canadians.

Key Topics:

• Career progression and opportunity in the Royal Canadian Navy
• The role of a Weapons Officer and Operations Room Officer
• How career college training (like supply chain management) applies to naval service
• Evolution of military culture: mental health and family support
• Work-life integration during deployment
• Educational pathways through Royal Military College
• What it takes to succeed in a demanding operational environment

Key Moments:

03:00 - Why join the Navy? The power of paid education and career pathways for young Canadians

05:00 - Inside the operations room: Technical trades, career progression, and coordinating complex warfare operations

07:00 - Career advice: "The job can be as rewarding as what you want to put into it" - making the most of military opportunities

08:00 - Culture shift: How the Royal Canadian Navy has evolved its mental health and family support services since 2013

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/4AkDLnqUlFJ

Explore a career in the Royal Canadian Navy⁠: https://forces.ca/en/naval-experience-program/

On this special episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, Sea of Opportunities, host Michael Sangster sits down with Sailor First Class Langsford aboard the HMCS St. John's Halifax while sailing in the North Atlantic. In this compelling conversation, Langsford shares his remarkable journey from healthcare worker during COVID-19 to making a 21-year commitment to the Royal Canadian Navy—a decision made just five years into his service.

Langsford provides an inside look at life as a Naval Communicator, explaining how his role bridges cutting-edge satellite technology with centuries-old maritime communication traditions. He discusses his diverse responsibilities, including serving as the ship's librarian, coordinating force evaluations, and managing critical IT infrastructure while at sea. The conversation reveals surprising insights about work-life balance in military service and the structured career progression that attracted him to leave healthcare.

Throughout the episode, Langsford emphasizes the unique satisfaction of naval service—from the technical challenges of maintaining communications in the middle of the ocean to the simple but profound experience of a sea breeze that "recharges your batteries." He offers candid advice for anyone considering a naval career and shares heartfelt messages to his family back home, providing an authentic glimpse into both the professional and personal dimensions of life at sea.

Key Moments:

01:15 - The 21-year commitment: Langsford reveals he's signed on to serve until 2046

02:20 - Career transition: Why he left healthcare during COVID for the structure of Navy life

04:00 - Unique secondary duties: Serving as ship's librarian and IT administrator

06:10 - Role breakdown: What a Naval Communicator actually does, from SATCOM to flag signals

09:20 - Career advice: The "sea breeze moment" and why the Navy offers a unique life experience

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/EvjES0t9AnX 

Explore a career in the Royal Canadian Navy⁠: https://forces.ca/en/naval-experience-program/ 

On this special episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, Sea of Opportunities, host Michael Sangster sits down with Sailor First Class Scott, a Marine Technician (MarTech) aboard HMCS St. John's, to explore an inspiring career journey that challenges everything we think we know about skilled trades training.

Scott's story is proof that you don't need prior experience to build a rewarding technical career. Starting from "square one" with zero electrical training, he's now responsible for maintaining the complex electrical systems that power one of Canada's Halifax-class frigates—and he's planning to serve until retirement.

In this candid conversation recorded during the ship's deployment, Scott pulls back the curtain on life as a Marine Technician, the demands of shipboard life, and why he believes the Royal Canadian Navy offers one of Canada's best career pathways for young people interested in skilled trades.

Key Topics Discussed

• What a Marine Technician actually does (and why this role is critical to naval operations)

• How the Navy trains technical professionals from scratch—no prerequisites required

• Why physical fitness is a crucial predictor of success in basic training

• The real talk about work-life balance: 4-hour watches, maintenance duties, and staying connected with family during six-month deployments

• How adaptability becomes your most valuable career skill

• Why some careers are worth the challenge

Key Moments

00:00 - The fitness factor: Scott explains why physical preparation before basic training makes all the difference in starting your Navy career successfully

01:00 - MarTech explained: Breaking down the Marine Technician role—electrical vs. mechanical sides, and what it takes to keep a modern warship powered and moving

04:00 - From zero to professional: Scott reveals he had no electrical training before joining and learned everything through Navy training programs

05:00 - The reality of shipboard life: Understanding the demanding watch schedules, maintenance responsibilities, and the challenge of balancing work with personal wellness at sea

07:00 - Advice for future recruits: Scott's key message—come ready to adapt, arrive physically prepared, and understand that flexibility is essential to Navy life

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/H1Y2cznEYzm 

Explore a career in the Royal Canadian Navy⁠: https://forces.ca/en/naval-experience-program/

On this special episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, Sea of Opportunities, host Michael Sangster sits down with Petty Officer 2nd Class Foulon aboard HMCS St. John's during their six-month Atlantic deployment. With 17 years of service and plans for 13 more, Petty Officer 2nd Class Foulon opens up about the realities of Navy life, from managing complex communication systems to maintaining family connections from thousands of miles away.

This conversation reveals the transferable skills that make naval veterans highly sought after by civilian employers, the support systems that help families thrive during deployment, and why the first few years of service are the most challenging—but also the most important to push through. Whether you're considering a Navy career, hiring veterans, or working in education and workforce development, this episode offers valuable insights into how structured support and perseverance create long-term career success.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Career longevity in the Royal Canadian Navy and transition planning

• The role of senior communication maintainer and technical skill development

• Family support systems and community resources during deployment

• The reality of living and working on a naval vessel

• The Naval Experience Program: trying the Navy before committing

• Why the first 3-4 years are the most challenging (and how to get through them)

• Global travel opportunities and unique experiences

• Transferable skills that civilian employers actively seek

00:00 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Foulon on circumnavigating the globe through Navy deployments

02:00 - Planning for life after the Navy: excitement and anxiety about civilian career opportunities after 30+ years of service

04:00 - "Every day is different": The technical challenges and problem-solving required in naval communications

06:00 - Family support systems: How the Navy supports spouses and children during six-month deployments

09:00 - Critical career advice: "The first three or four years are the roughest" and why perseverance matters

09:30 - The Naval Experience Program explained: 3-9 month trial periods for those considering naval careers

Read the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/xymnhpKU878

Explore a career in the Royal Canadian Navy⁠: https://forces.ca/en/naval-experience-program/