Access to Top Talent

Globally, competition for world-class talent has propelled Durham Region into the spotlight. Our region is known as the place where world-class talent comes to live and learn. Why? Because our community is rich in cultural heritage and strong in creative culture.

This strong quality of life is complemented by several post-secondary schools within our communities. It's why Durham Region is known for its innovation, STEMT talent and creativity; a diverse and inclusive workforce that is both highly skilled and educated.

From experienced local graduates in our community - and a growing population of new graduates from our post-secondary institutions - Durham Region is home to the workforce of today. We are excited to be developing the agile and adaptable skills of the workforce of the future.

Durham Region’s business and innovation community has an advantage – the tri-institutions: Durham College, Ontario Tech University, and Trent University Durham GTA. Learn more about how your business can tap into talent.

Durham Region's World Class Talent advantage:

Durham College

• Durham Region is home to two Durham College Campus locations in Oshawa and Whitby.

• Durham College is taking a leading role in one of the fastest-growing industries in the gaming market, through the opening of its Esports Gaming Arena and Mixed-Reality Capture Studio, the first of its kind in Ontario.
• Durham College Hub for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence for Business Solutions (the AI Hub) offers industry partners access to technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and platforms, and student talent.
• Durham College Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation opened in 2020, expanding on the success of the AI Hub. Through innovation, applied research and training, Durham College is creating new opportunities in cybersecurity, micro-credentials, and offering industry-accredited programs.
• Durham College Centre for Food is one of Canada's first culinary education facilities that bring the concept of ‘field to fork' to life. It unities culinary, event management, food science and horticultural programs in one location on a suburban campus.
• Addressing the increasing demand for skilled trades workers, Durham College is home to more than 1,300 skilled trade apprentices, and hosts a number of programs through the Durham College School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology (START).
• Durham College's Professional and Part-time Learning (PPL) offers over 70 programs and more than 1000 courses designed to help individuals excel in their careers. PPL supports students at all levels in acquiring skills essential for both immediate and long-term career success.

Ontario Tech University

• Ontario Tech University is a science, technology engineering and math (STEMT)-focused, research driven institution preparing graduates to excel in today's global knowledge driven economy

• Ontario Tech University offers the first accredited program of its kind in Canada with an undergraduate degree program in Nuclear Engineering. It is also a leader is Energy Systems and Nuclear Science programs. The Clean Energy Research Lab (CERL) is a facility focused on pioneering clean energy research.
• Ontario Tech’s Faculty of Business and IT programs foster top talent from the Networking and Information Technology Security undergraduate and graduate programs and the Game Development and Entrepreneurship undergraduate program featuring the Gaming and Virtual Reality Laboratory.
• Ontario Tech integrates technology and hands-on learning in the Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Health Sciences programs ensuring grads are work-place ready for the health care and bio-tech industries.
• Ontario Tech is home to the ACE Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel (CAWT), a research, development and testing facility available for rent to manufacturers of all descriptions, startup companies and researchers in Canada and around the globe.
• Ontario Tech University is rated #1 in cross-sector research among Canadian undergraduate universities

Trent University Durham GTA

• Trent University Durham GTA offers dynamic and rigorous educational experiences rooted in the social science, humanities and professional programs.
• Trent University is ranked #1 in Ontario and #3 in Canada among undergraduate universities.
• Trent University Durham GTA offers numerous full and part-time undergraduate programs, as well as post-graduate certificates in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and Human Resource Management.

• Other key programs at Trent University Durham GTA include Bachelors of Business Administration, Computing Systems, and Communications & Critical Thinking as well as a Master of Management, which is a 16 month professional master program.

• Trent University Durham GTA is growing, expanding their campus to include 200 on-campus residences, creative learning spaces, and state-of-the-art academic space.

Workforce Advantages: