Canada’s government is updating the mission of the National Research Council (NRC), and the new focus is on jobs and commercial opportunities, according to a government press release. The government will now be focusing on practical sciences and less on more theoretical, abstract research to create a positive impact on the economy.

As the funder of the National Research Council (NRC), Canada’s current government has ordered a revamp of the organization, moving focus onto the needs of the industry and business development. Gary Goodyear, the minister of state for science and technology, says that the German Fraunhofer Institute, an organization made up of 66 smaller institutes with a combination of pubic, federal and state ownership, was the inspiration for the change, according to a speech given by Goodyear.

The Fraunhofer Institute tackles projects specifically for private and public businesses, or technology research that has the potential to benefit society in a direct way. Canada seeks to imitate that model by encouraging the NRC to begin working with private businesses and fuel innovation, producing concrete results instead of abstract theories that have little impact beyond the graduate classroom.

The move has ruffled feathers across the country. Some favor the change believing it will have a positive impact on the economy, while others worry that Canada will lose its best scientists to more favorable grant programs in other countries.

Opponents fear the change will lead to cuts in basic research for universities and turn the NRC into a more streamlined organization that may lose sight of its original, lofty goals, according to CBC News. But regardless of either opinion, the government decision shows a new willingness to encourage industries and boost jobs in the nation.

Canada is also seeking a greater focus on jobs in other areas, as seen in the Economic Action Plan 2013 that was announced at the Canadian Policy Conference. This new policy seeks to create a new Canadian Job Grant and increase support for apprentices and training that make it easier for people (particularly youth and other underrepresented factions) to get jobs in the country.

In encouraging technological innovation, Canada will likely create a particular focus on sustainability and new low-emission innovations — part of its policy changes include alignment with the U.S emission standards that require updates to Canadian laws and long-term planning for energy efficient technology. If policies progress the way Canada plans, these changes will drive new demand for a variety of technical jobs, bolstering the economy.

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