SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2025 SDG report
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Through its academic programming, research and community engagement, TMU aims to prepare students for rewarding careers, contributes to the development of a highly skilled workforce, and champions innovation. The university is also dedicated to fostering a positive workplace that supports the health, wellbeing, and professional growth of faculty and staff.
Top 10 among Canadian universities for graduate employability (Times Higher Education Global Employability University Ranking 2025)
#14: Canada’s Best Employers (Forbes (external link) )
In 2025, 2,864 TMU students took mandatory work placements as part of their studies
Our goals in action
TMU strives to equip students with the future skills necessary for employment in a dynamic and changing world. With a focus on experiential learning, innovation and unique experiences, TMU’s academic programming prepares students for successful careers and encourages them to develop ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit that will support economic growth.
- TMU’s Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre supports students’ navigation of resources as they transition in, through and out of TMU into their full-time careers. The Centre provides students and recent alumni with responsive navigation supports, career navigation and development skills so they can chart their path to success at TMU and throughout their careers. Employers seeking to connect with TMU students or recent graduates will receive customized recruiting opportunities and strategies to hire the best possible candidates.
- TMU’s academic programming places an emphasis on experiential learning as a way to prepare students for rewarding careers. In 2024-25, 96.6 per cent of undergraduate programs at TMU had a formal experiential learning component, with more than half including an optional or required co-op placement, internship, work placement or clinical placement.
- Ten TMU students had the opportunity to present their business ideas at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. The Ted Rogers School of Management students travelled to Tokyo and Osaka for DMZ Japan’s Global Entrepreneurship Exchange Program. They partnered with students from Japan’s Chiba University to develop ideas that could help transform Japan’s sake industry on a global scale.
- DMZ Japan launched in 2025 and is one of the many zones that offer opportunities for TMU students to learn about entrepreneurship and exchange knowledge with peers from around the world.
- The Ted Rogers School of Management’s MBA program has been named a Tier 1 Green MBA by the editors of CEO Magazine. It was one of only four Canadian MBA programs included in the international list’s top tier of more than 30 programs. Programs were assessed based on the percentage of core courses focused on ethical, social and environmental impact, as well as experiential learning opportunities, university-wide sustainability initiatives, faculty research, delivery methods and accreditation.
- CyberStart Canada (external link) is a free, immersive, gamified learning experience that helps students develop cybersecurity skills while having fun. The program allows young Canadians to dive into the world of cybersecurity through hands-on labs, challenges, and puzzles.
- The Middle-Level Managers (MLM) with Technical Background Bridging Program supports internationally trained immigrants with financial or technical backgrounds as they transition into project management roles in the Canadian workforce. The program is fully online and can be completed in approximately eight months. Students graduate with a Certificate in Project Management for Technical Professionals.
TMU researchers are turning research into innovation to support economic growth. From working with industry partners in agriculture to developing training on harnessing new technologies such as artificial intelligence, TMU research is leading to cutting edge developments across sectors.
- TMU received funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to launch a robust training program for highly qualified personnel. Spearheaded by Sharareh Taghipour, an engineering professor and Canada Research Chair in Physical Asset Management, the Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence for Decision Optimization research training program will be the first in Canada to integrate the predictive analytics power of artificial intelligence, the prescriptive analytics capability of operations research and the computational power of quantum computing into a comprehensive curriculum for graduate students.
- Through hands-on learning, including boot camps, technical courses, research seminars, workshops, symposiums and internships, trainees will be coached to recognize the potential, benefits, challenges, methodologies and available toolkits for next-generation technologies.
- The Fair Farm Work project is an initiative focused on improving living and working conditions for farm workers, examining agri-food systems, migrant labour and exploitation around the world. Led by researchers from TMU’s Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration, the project recently published a policy brief addressing these pressing issues in the Canadian context and explored recommendations to alleviate the vulnerabilities of Canada’s migrant agricultural workers, such as social certification programs and regulatory changes.
Through its internal operations TMU demonstrates leadership on decent work and economic growth by creating a positive work environment and collaborating with labour groups. A suite of official policies are intended to create a healthy and welcoming workplace and make the university a great place for faculty and staff to lead rewarding careers.
- TMU has a strong history of collaborative collective bargaining and positive labour relations, with no labour disruptions on our campus for the past 30 years. Negotiations at TMU have been successful because of the joint commitment from both sides. The university’s collective agreements are posted publicly.
- TMU has various official policies that are established and updated regularly to ensure a healthy and safe workplace that promotes a positive workplace culture. These include the Respectful Workplace Policy, the Disconnecting from Work Policy, the Flexible Work Policy, the Discrimination and Harassment Policy, and the Environmental Health and Safety Policy.
- TMU placed 14th on Forbes list of Canada’s best employers (external link) and in the top 100 for best employers for company culture (external link) . These achievements are recognition of the institution’s commitment to creating a workplace that is welcoming, collegial and brings the best out in faculty and staff.
TMU’s research and innovation network extends into the community, offering training, counselling and engagement to new and growing businesses. This network supports the development and scale-up of innovations in Canada, providing a catalyst for economic growth.
- The DMZ is a tech incubator and global startup ecosystem at TMU that helps founders build high-impact ventures. The DMZ supports entrepreneurship at every stage—from early ideation to international expansion. Its tailored programs, world-class resources and expansive network fuel bold ideas and drive global economic impact.
- The Future Skills Centre (external link) (FSC) is a pan-Canadian initiative to connect ideas and innovations from across Canada to generate a robust evidence-base for decision makers so that workers and employers can succeed in the labour market and ensure that local, regional, and national economies thrive.
- The FSC was conceived to address the opportunities and challenges presented by the changing nature of work, by fostering a more responsive skills development ecosystem. Based at TMU, the centre was founded by a consortium of partners including TMU, The Conference Board of Canada, and Blueprint.
- Canada’s Department of Finance sought expertise on artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector from TMU math professor Alexey Rubtsov. He contributes to the development of AI-related policies that affect Canada’s financial institutions, including banks and insurance companies. He engages with banks and insurance companies to understand how they’re using AI and what challenges they face. He also helps the Department of Finance assess how existing rules, policies, and guidelines can influence adoption and address AI-related risks.
- Pop-up shops are an excellent way for small businesses to test, grow and showcase their brand. TMU’s new Retail Pop Up Shop is proving this and giving TMU entrepreneurs the chance to showcase innovative products, reach new customers and create memorable experiences. This pop-up shop will give vendors the chance to stay for up to a week. The Pop Up Shop is located on the eighth floor inside the Ted Rogers School of Management building at 55 Dundas Street W and is open to students, faculty and staff.
