Canadian Infrastructure Leadership Academy Aims to Train Future Project Leaders

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The Canadian Infrastructure Leadership Academy, launched by the University of Toronto, seeks to prepare experienced leaders for the complexities of modern construction projects, emphasizing collaboration and risk management.

Canada is actively advancing its infrastructure initiatives, with a significant emphasis on the need for qualified leaders to oversee major projects. Many organizations already have individuals on their teams who possess 10 to 15 years of relevant experience, a proven history of managing projects, and aspirations for career advancement. In response to this demand, a new educational program is set to equip these leaders with the necessary skills. The Canadian Infrastructure Leadership Academy, initiated by the Infrastructure Institute at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities in collaboration with the Rotman School of Management, represents the first executive program in Canada tailored specifically for leaders in major project management. Applications for the program are now open and will be processed on a rolling basis.
Distinct from traditional MBA or project management certifications, this academy focuses on the unique aspects of leading large-scale projects. It addresses critical areas such as team collaboration across various organizations involved in a project and the negotiation of conflicts that frequently arise. The curriculum has been developed in consultation with leaders from both the public and private sectors, ensuring that participants leave with a robust national network of senior peers.
Spanning six months, the hybrid program consists of three in-person modules lasting three days each, held at Rotman in Toronto, complemented by monthly live online sessions, mentorship opportunities, and a capstone project. Participants will tackle real challenges from their professional environments with guidance from mentors, enhancing the program's value as it progresses. Upon completion, graduates will receive a certificate from the Rotman School of Management. For those outside Ontario, the program format remains the same, with the in-person sessions focused on three three-day modules, while the remainder is delivered online.
The academy is designed with the intention of expanding into a national program, accessible locally across Canada. The inaugural cohort is scheduled to commence on April 13, 2027, aiming to assemble a deliberately diverse group of leaders from sectors including civil infrastructure, energy, natural resources, and industrial projects. This approach ensures that participants from cities like Calgary or Vancouver can forge connections that extend beyond their local markets.
Matti Siemiatycki, Academic Co-Director at the Canadian Infrastructure Leadership Academy, emphasizes the critical nature of effective leadership in the construction sector, stating, "A lot is being staked right now on being able to build big things." The complexity of contemporary projects has also increased, with Siemiatycki describing today’s major endeavors as “an IT project wrapped in steel,” which necessitates coordination among numerous parties and the integration of advanced technology.
The challenges are particularly acute in Western Canada, where insights from Altus Group’s 2026 Canadian Cost Guide indicate that construction costs in Calgary and Edmonton have surged by 4% or more year-over-year, contrasting with declines observed in Toronto and Vancouver. Additionally, BuildForce Canada forecasts that by 2035, approximately 43,700 construction workers in Alberta, representing about 21% of the province’s workforce in the sector, will retire, coinciding with anticipated growth in non-residential construction.
The Canadian Construction Association’s summer 2026 economic report highlights an increasing reliance on sector-specific tariffs and local procurement measures, alongside the domestic requirements associated with them. These conditions create a challenging landscape, but they are precisely the environment for which the academy’s curriculum is designed. Participants will gain insights into leadership and negotiation, as well as commercial leadership, procurement, governance, and understanding the behavioral biases that often lead projects to underestimate costs. These skills are becoming increasingly vital as budgets come under pressure and experienced professionals exit the industry.
For companies undertaking these complex projects, much of this added complexity translates into risk. Siemiatycki notes that current contract structures place significant risk on companies, particularly in construction, which must absorb costs when projects falter. Therefore, investing in training for leadership roles is not merely beneficial, but a strategic imperative for business. Providing leaders with modern techniques to manage such projects serves as a risk mitigation strategy, according to Siemiatycki.
The tuition for the program aligns with that of similar academies in the UK and Australia, representing an investment in the individuals who will shoulder these risks. Organizations have the opportunity to prepare their future leaders through this inaugural cohort, with direct applications available for leaders and the option for organizations to nominate team members. Interested parties should apply by November 30th to take advantage of a 20% discount on tuition. For more information and to apply, further details can be found on the academy's website.

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