This op-ed was previously published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

As students at Manitoba’s colleges, universities and polytechnic return to school this fall in preparation for their future careers, we have an opportunity to reflect on the future we want for our province and how we get there.

Over the last few months, the Manitoba government has been refocusing its efforts on, as they say, Building One Manitoba. A plan developed in the context of global economic instability and shifting trade relationships. At a time of uncertainty, focusing on building provincial capacity seems like a good idea.

However, that future is only possible if we invest in one of our most powerful tools to get us there: our colleges, polytechnic and universities.

When Premier Wab Kinew talks about opening new mines or expanding access to the Port of Churchill, those plans depend on skilled workers. Whether it’s the logistics manager hired from Red River College Polytechnic, automotive technician from Assiniboine Community College or the natural resource management technician from University College of the North, Manitoba has the capacity to train the top-tier workers to be part of this future. But we can only do it if the government makes investments now.

That’s why the priority must be investing in the people who teach, mentor and support students. Competitive wages, benefits and working conditions are essential to attracting and retaining top talent. The premier himself has acknowledged that Manitobans look elsewhere for work when the opportunities aren’t here. We can reverse that trend by investing in the institutions to offer students, and staff, the incentive to stay.

When students can access high-quality education close to home, they are more likely to stay in their communities long term. It also creates opportunities for rural and indigenous communities to develop the workforces they need to be resilient.

Finally, building a strong future for the province depends on addressing the public sector staffing shortages head-on. This isn’t just about hiring, it’s about ensuring workers have the training and support to succeed. Critical shortfalls across public sector workplaces require solutions that our colleges, universities and polytechnic can provide. From health-care aides in rural communities helping keep our health-care system working, to the essential roles that keep our province running like vital statistics, permitting, public health inspectors, conservation officers, these shortages are making it harder for people to get the services they depend on.

Part of the solution is to train the people we need. But that means being proactive. The province should develop targeted recruitment campaigns, not just to attract already trained talent but to entice people into these fields. Working with labour and business to identify priority areas, not just for workers but for training. Bringing students into specific training programs so that we can build the workforce we need here and get top-quality talent into these jobs. Whether it’s software engineers or paramedics, attracting, training, hiring and retaining them will help build our province.

Every step we take to strengthen our post-secondary system pays off twice: once for the individual graduate and again for the province as a whole. When we create opportunities for Manitobans to go to school and stay in Manitoba, we can build a stronger province. Skilled workers fuel our economy, support our public services and create opportunities in every community.

We have a choice. In uncertain times, it’s tempting to chase short-term fixes. But if we want Manitoba to be competitive, inclusive and resilient in the decades ahead, we need to think bigger. That means a comprehensive plan to support and expand our post-secondary institutions, so they can train the workforce our economy will demand tomorrow. We don’t want to miss an opportunity to build the best future we can for Manitoba.

Kyle Ross is the president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union which represents workers at several post-secondary institutions across Manitoba.