Creating Clearer Pathways to Post-Secondary Education

Across Canada, young people participating in Catapult-funded programs are building skills, confidence, and readiness for their next step. To help them turn that readiness into real opportunities, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is working to create smoother, more supportive pathways into post-secondary programs at colleges, institutes, cégeps, and polytechnics nationwide.

About the Project

The Navigating Success initiative connects Catapult youth with CICan’s national network of institutions to help them move from “readiness” to “enrollment.” Through mentoring networks, online navigation tools, and wrap-around supports, the project makes it easier for young people to understand their options, explore programs, and take the next step into post-secondary learning.

Colleges and institutes will pilot new approaches across different regions, with all resources becoming publicly available for Catapult partners, educators, and learners across the country.

Addressing Barriers to Post-Secondary Access

Many young people, especially those from Indigenous, northern, rural, and underserved communities, face complex obstacles when pursuing post-secondary education. These include limited guidance and advising, unclear application processes, financial uncertainty, and a lack of culturally relevant supports.

Navigating Success responds directly to these gaps:

• Mentoring networks connecting youth with students and alumni for real-world guidance
• Digital navigation tools on CICan’s Mapping Skills for Success platform featuring program information, application steps, and scholarship supports
• Wrap-around services tailored by colleges to meet learners’ academic, cultural, and practical needs

These pathways help ensure young people feel supported, informed, and confident as they transition into the next phase of their education.

“Canada’s colleges and institutes are deeply connected to the communities they serve. This initiative empowers our members to build on that strength, creating mentoring networks, navigation tools, and supports that help young people take the next step toward post-secondary education and fulfilling careers. The impact will be lasting: greater confidence for learners, expanded opportunities for Indigenous, northern, and rural youth, more resilient communities, and a stronger Canada.”
~ Pari Johnston, President & CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada

Strengthening Pathways with Support from the Rideau Hall Foundation

Through support from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada Initiative, CICan is building a national model that helps Catapult youth confidently transition into post-secondary programs. Catapult funding enables CICan members to pilot new tools and supports, expand mentorship opportunities, and remove barriers that prevent learners from accessing education.

Beyond funding, Catapult connects CICan to a national community of organizations working to make education more inclusive and community-led. Together, CICan and the Rideau Hall Foundation are helping young people access education, pursue their aspirations, and contribute to stronger, more resilient communities across Canada.