In an era of rapid technological change, MacEwan University’s School of Continuing Education is launching a new suite of flexible, stackable courses and programs designed to equip the modern workforce with a crucial blend of technical and durable skills. Guided by a new initiatives team including Dr. Lisa Rochman, dean of the School of Continuing Education; Wayne Lee-Ying, program director of Training and Educational Development; Dr. Avi Sheshachalam, senior business development officer; Justine Dogbe and Shaun Bosch, senior program managers, these courses address the growing demand for professionals to use artificial intelligence but also lead, think critically and innovate in an AI-driven world.

The initiative is a direct response to a clear shift in the job market. “The future of work is defined by a synergy between human insight and technical fluency,” says Dr. Rochman. The curriculum emphasizes a human-centred approach to technology, ensuring learners understand not just the ‘how’ but the ‘what, when and why’ behind the use of artificial intelligence. "A human-centred approach begins with people – their goals, values and the real-world problems they seek to solve. We want learners to do more than interact with AI; we want them to engage with it critically."

This need is driven by employers. “The driving force is the growing recognition that technical expertise alone isn’t enough,” says Lee-Ying. “Employers are actively seeking professionals who can collaborate, communicate and lead in environments transformed by it.” This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Sheshachalam, who notes that the catalyst for these programs was "active listening, a uniquely human skill."

"While some professionals were excited by the potential of large language models (LLMs),” he adds, “others were anxious about job loss and disruption. This awe-anxiety spectrum became a critical lens for us as we constructed our new program-development strategy."

Dogbe reinforces this, stating that the biggest skill gap employers face is not just a lack of technical AI expertise, but a broader deficit in AI literacy combined with a critical understanding of its ethical implications and practical application. The programs are a timely response to market trends as the demand for roles blending technical and human-centred skills has increased. To meet this need, the courses are built to be flexible and stackable, offering accessible pathways for professionals at any stage.

So, how are these skills taught together effectively to address these issues? The programs avoid treating them as separate subjects. Lee-Ying explains that “our curriculum design follows an integrated model where durable and technical skills are interwoven throughout each learning experience." This is achieved through an inquiry-based learning framework where students actively build with artificial intelligence from day one. This hands-on approach is guided by instructors who are chosen not just for their expertise, but for their ability to facilitate discussions around ethics, collaboration, governance and leadership. This structure is built for the rapid pace of change. “We use a continuous feedback loop from industry advisors and employer partners to iterate and update course content frequently,” he says, adding that this approach ensures the programs remain relevant.

Ultimately, the goal is to empower individuals and organizations to thrive in the age of AI by focusing on confidence, curiosity and responsible innovation. "Amidst all the automation, the real question is: how do we remind people that they still have control?" asks Dr. Sheshachalam. "These programs are about reclaiming human agency," he says.

By combining technical fluency with essential, durable skills, MacEwan University’s School of Continuing Education is not just preparing the workforce for the future; it’s helping them align with it.