A George Brown Polytechnic education combines hands-on learning, industry experience, and degree-level study to prepare students for success in a changing world.
George Brown College is now George Brown Polytechnic (GBP). The new name describes what it has always been: a place of strong academic learning with an applied, career-focused approach. Margrit Talpalaru, Director of Polytechnic Transformation at the school, calls it “a case of our name catching up with who we already are and where we are going.”
Polytechnic education is deliberately hands-on and closely linked to industry. “That combination of academic knowledge, practical experience, applied research, and industry connection is really at the heart of the polytechnic model,” says Talpalaru.
Future-ready education
In response to rapidly changing technology and workplaces, George Brown embeds skills like problem-solving, communication, collaboration, digital fluency, and lifelong learning into its programs. GBP programs are developed with an eye to creating career-ready graduates who can succeed throughout their working lives.
For example, the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honours) program combines degree-level education with intensive supervised clinical learning hours and a pathway toward RN practice. GBP is also launching a specialized Social Service Worker — Gender-Based Violence diploma, as well as Computer Programming: AI Solutions, which is launching in 2026-27.
Other programs in development include a proposed Honours Bachelor of Engineering in Urban Engineering, which would be the first of its kind in Canada. The school is also developing new degree programming in STEM foundations, rehabilitation careers, software engineering, applied computing, and computer science.
Inclusion and diversity
Talpalaru describes inclusion as structural rather than symbolic at George Brown. “We do everything we can so our students and employees experience belonging through community, events, and culturally responsive spaces,” they say. “To achieve that, our work has to go deeper than programming.”
The goal is to make sure inclusion and diversity are reflected in policies, processes, hiring, curriculum, planning, and institutional decision-making.
The institution has been recognized for its work, having been named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, as well as one of Canada’s and Greater Toronto’s Top Employers. Although Talpalaru is pleased with the awards, they aren’t everything. “The more important measure is whether students and employees experience equity and belonging in their day-to-day lives — whether they can see themselves here, access the supports they need, and feel they have the opportunity to participate and succeed,” they say.
Success that speaks for itself
Creating a learning environment where people are valued and programming is developed for career success results in graduates who are equipped for the world of work. According to George Brown Polytechnic’s 2023 Key Performance Indicators, the institution reported an overall graduate employment rate of 83.6 per cent.
Internal graduate data from 2023-24 also shows that between 75 and 77 per cent of GBP graduates are working in a field related to their studies, a strong indication that students can translate their education into relevant careers.
Employers reported a satisfaction rate of 89.3 per cent. Those results are particularly meaningful because they demonstrate that employers feel GBP graduates arrive with the knowledge and preparation they need to succeed in the workplace.
“Students are investing in skills, experience, professional connections, and credentials, but they’re also investing in their own ability to adapt,” says Talpalaru. “That combination of employment, career relevance, adaptability, and opportunity for continued advancement is an important part of the return on a George Brown education.”
George Brown demonstrates that there isn’t just one path to success. Its polytechnic approach equips graduates with the skills, adaptability, and experience needed to thrive in careers shaped by emerging trends and evolving workplace demands.
Anyone interested in exploring George Brown Polytechnic’s more than 200 programs is invited to attend the Open House on October 24 to speak with faculty, staff, and students. Visit georgebrown.ca/openhouse for more details.
