We need your help! Join us in calling on the Government of Canada to renew the Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) program and ensure Canadian students continue to benefit from these vital opportunities.
GSO has been instrumental in providing Canadian students with life-changing opportunities to work and study abroad. These experiences help students gain vital skills, broaden their perspectives, and forge connections that benefit not only their future careers but Canada’s economic and social landscape.
Business leaders recognize that a globally skilled workforce promotes economic growth, boosts productivity, and strengthens Canada’s middle class. The GSO program has proven especially impactful, with nearly 13,000 participants—73% of whom identify as Indigenous, low-income, or students with disabilities—bringing back skills such as problem-solving, intercultural communication, adaptability, and critical thinking that employers value.
As Canada faces rapid economic and technological changes, we must ensure that post-secondary students, who were particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, have access to the global experiences that will prepare them for success in the modern workforce.
The GSO program, Canada’s first and only federally funded outbound student mobility program, plays a critical role in preparing students for the challenges of a globalized world. Investing in this program is essential to equipping the next generation with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive labor market.
