CIBC poll finds students are upskilling beyond the classroom amid job market uncertainty

CIBC poll finds students are upskilling beyond the classroom amid job market uncertainty

Two thirds (66 per cent) are pursuing learning or skills development outside of formal education

TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canadian students are increasingly stepping beyond the classroom to build the skills and confidence they need for the future, according to a new CIBC poll. As they navigate an uncertain job market, many are taking a pragmatic and proactive approach to career preparation, with two thirds (66 per cent) pursuing learning or skills development outside of their formal education to strengthen their career prospects and ambitions.

The poll shows that students are taking active steps to prepare for the future. Among those pursuing skills development outside of their formal education:

• 30 per cent are taking online courses
• 30 per cent are working on side projects
• 20 per cent are pursuing professional certifications
• 16 per cent are taking AI-related training

This mindset reflects a broader shift in how students are approaching their futures. Three quarters (76 per cent) say concerns about the job market are influencing the education and career decisions they are making today.

Students say their top motivations for upskilling are to improve earning potential (46 per cent) and enhance job prospects (43 per cent), while 40 per cent say personal interest is also driving them to build new skills.

"Students are thinking more holistically about their future, combining education and career preparation with a growing focus on financial wellbeing," said Carissa Lucreziano, Vice-President, Financial Planning and Advice, CIBC. "Alongside their education, they are looking for practical ways to build skills that can support their career ambitions and long-term financial goals."

Students' focus on the future also extends to their finances, with many taking practical steps to prepare for the school year while remaining optimistic about what comes next:

• 66 per cent have a financial plan for the upcoming school year
• 66 per cent plan to invest at least some of their summer earnings
• 80 per cent expect to work during the academic year
• 57 per cent are concerned about covering tuition and expenses
• 78 per cent are optimistic about their personal financial future after graduation
• 78 per cent are confident they are making the right financial decisions for their future today

"It's encouraging to see students being so proactive about their next steps," added Ms. Lucreziano. "Whether they're learning new skills, balancing work during the school year, or investing some of their earnings toward their future, these are habits that can help create a strong foundation as they move from school into their careers."

About the Poll:

The findings are from an Ipsos poll conducted between July 7th and July 14th, 2026, on behalf of CIBC. For this survey, a sample of 500 Canadian post-secondary students aged 18-25 years old planning to be in full time or part time post-secondary schooling in September 2026 were interviewed online. Sample was sourced from the Ipsos panel. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ±5.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadians been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 15 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre.

SOURCE CIBC