The Canadian Patent Examiner Continuous Training Program

•The Canadian Intellectual Property Office created the Patent Examiner Continuous Training Program in 2009.•Training needs are subject to a number of external influences.•Training is on IP, science and technology or personal development.•Format and provider vary according to need.

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is the Government of Canada organization responsible for granting patent rights. In 2009, the Patent Branch formalized the continuous training and professional development of patent examiners by creating the Patent Examiner Continuous Training Program. This paper presents an overview of the program: factors that influence training needs, categories of training offered, training providers, training medium used and also examples of recent training activities. CIPO's experience may be useful for other intellectual property offices developing a training program for their examiners.