Canada's leading cross-sector convenor and driver of change

BHER is the only organization in Canada that brings together leaders from the country’s top companies and post-secondary institutions to build a better social and economic future. We collaborate with our members to tackle some of Canada’s biggest skills, talent, innovation, and productivity challenges.

To do this, we work on three fronts:

Connecting, convening, and communicating with post-secondary and business leaders across the country on the future of work.
Building capacity in skills and talent in high-impact areas, like work-integrated learning, upskilling, creating accessible workplaces, the transition to net zero, and navigating AI.
Driving innovation and research partnerships by leveraging existing strengths, deepening collaboration, and cultivating new connections.

Interested in becoming a member? Write to Val Walker, CEO. valerie.walker@bher.ca

Our impact:

In response to a member-identified need for stronger early talent, we convinced the Government of Canada to commit to 100% work-integrated learning (WIL). We started the WIL revolution in Canada. We intend to see it through.
We’ve created nearly 70,000 WIL opportunities through over 2,000 collaborations between Canadian businesses and post-secondaries. More than 11,000 employers—from the smallest startups to the biggest firms—have engaged with student talent through our programs
Our thought leadership is evidence-based and accessible. We push new ideas, spark debates, and inspire action that leads to sustainable change.
Our ongoing initiatives include WIL programs, research projects, and other partnerships in areas of focus like accessibility, upskilling + reskilling, technology + AI adoption, productivity + innovation, international talent, and the net zero transition.

How we work with our members:

We convene our members through biannual members-only meetings, an annual summit, roundtables, network-building, and other formal and informal opportunities to connect with other leaders and decision makers across industries.
Our members shape our priorities from convening through to our research and program agendas.
We build our members into our projects as experts and collaborators, employers, delivery partners, and participants.
Together, we leverage the collective power of our members to inform decision making at all levels of government.

If working collaboratively to drive real change resonates with you, reach out to learn more about becoming a member.

Contact us About BHER Membership