Building Canada's Digital Leaders

From the boardrooms of major Canadian organizations to the classrooms of Nunavut, DIGITAL’s partnerships are building a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready Canadian workforce. As the global economy becomes increasingly digital, the ability of Canadian organizations to grow and compete depends on a skilled workforce and leaders equipped to guide digital teams and drive transformation from within. That’s why DIGITAL is leading the charge to support Canadian workers and their employers with trailblazing skills development, mentorship and leadership training programs that empower more companies and communities to thrive in the current and future economy.

Since 2018, DIGITAL has put more than 18,300 Canadians on the path to in-demand careers in fields such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics and more. “We’re helping build a generation of Canadian leaders that have both the technical skills to succeed in a digital economy and the strategic capability to lead transformation within their organizations,” says Sue Paish, CEO of DIGITAL. “This empowers individuals to thrive in high-demand roles and strengthens employers by equipping them with the leadership talent needed to innovate and grow.”

Of DIGITAL’s talent-building partnerships that have spanned every province and territory, programs such as the Digital Innovation & Leadership (DIAL) program exemplify this impact.

Empowering leaders for an increasingly digital future

Canadian organizations are rapidly facing the same critical challenge: their tech ambitions outpace their teams’ readiness. The DIAL Initiative, a collaboration between Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business and DIGITAL, is helping to close that gap.

DIAL does more than teach technical skills. It’s equally about cultivating digital fluency, leadership, and change management capabilities across the workforce. Since launching in 2021, the program has evolved into a systems-change initiative that now serves over 230 organizations across Canada. Before DIAL, “no one was really teaching how to lead digital transformation,” explains project lead Eman Nasr, Executive Director of Executive Education at the Beedie School. “That’s why we focus on developing the mindset and leadership tools needed to guide digital change.”

DIAL offers two learning tracks: Digital Transformation Management for early- to mid-career professionals like analysts and project managers seeking to embed digital thinking into their daily work; and Digital Transformation Leadership, which targets more senior leaders tasked with driving innovation across departments and organizations. Supported by DIGITAL’s co-investment, DIAL has already graduated more than 700 professionals, with participants coming from sectors as varied as healthcare, government, forestry, and biotech. Success stories include leaders at Vancouver International Airport working on digital twin projects, and healthcare professionals at St. Paul’s Hospital leading various digital initiatives to improve patient outcomes and streamline care delivery.

One of DIAL’s most innovative elements is its collaborative curriculum development. SFU works directly with industry to shape course content, ensuring it aligns with evolving workplace needs. The program structure is flexible and continuously refined based on participant feedback. Originally 24 weeks long, the program was condensed to 11 weeks to better suit working professionals. “Participants need real-world tools, not just theory,” says Sabina Tan, the Beedie School’s Senior Associate Director of Corporate Relations. “They also want to learn from their peers across industries, so we build networking and peer feedback right into the experience.”

In 2025, DIGITAL renewed its investment to train another 250 participants. This new phase is integrating AI competencies, introducing work-integrated learning, and establishing a Digital Advisory Committee for further curriculum development representing sectors such as cleantech, healthcare, and Indigenous communities. “Without DIGITAL’s support, we wouldn’t have achieved the same scale or impact,” Nasr says. “Their consortium model has attracted partners across sectors including Healthcare Authorities such as Fraser Health, Chambers of Commerce, financial institutions such as RBC. That model has also helped the initiative grow beyond British Columbia to other provinces such as Ontario and Manitoba, attracting other corporate, educational and funding partners to the ecosystem.”

Looking ahead, DIAL is expanding beyond digital transformation to include new programming in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies. “We’ve built a responsive, scalable ecosystem, and with the right partners we can move fast,” Nasr says, noting that DIAL’s first AI program launched in just three weeks to meet the needs of employers. By empowering professionals to lead digital change from within, the DIAL Initiative is helping Canadian organizations keep pace with transformation and thrive.

Testimonials

Zvi Lifshiz, Director of Strategic Development, Communications & Public Engagement for the City of Maple Ridge:

The DIAL initiative’s Digital Transformation Leadership program “provided (city) leaders with the tools and frameworks needed to align our diverse projects with the city’s strategic goals. It helped us shift from a siloed approach to a more integrated and strategic way of working.”

Marla Zucht, General Manager, Whistler Housing Authority:

The DIAL initiative’s Digital Transformation Leadership program “was instrumental in accelerating our organization’s innovation and modernization through technology. The practical, application-based approach not only enhanced our digital literacy but also empowered our team to confidently implement significant new projects and processes.”

Get in Touch

Interested in learning more about how DIGITAL can help support your Canadian workforce development technology or connect you to Canadian solutions providers? Get in touch with Beatrice Nguyen Duy, Programs Manager today!