CONESTOGA COLLEGE
ONCAT funds innovative project at Conestoga to support post-secondary learner mobility

The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) has announced funding to support projects that help students access post-secondary opportunities across Ontario's public colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes, including Conestoga.

"ONCAT's funding for institutional projects will reduce barriers and smooth transitions for learners," said Dr. Adrienne Galway, ONCAT president and CEO. "We prioritize innovative initiatives with the potential to scale or be adopted across institutions that help learners successfully navigate their academic journey and receive appropriate recognition for previous academic and work experience. Our mission is to ensure that learners complete their post-secondary credentials and transition successfully into the workforce."

ONCAT-funded projects showcase innovative approaches to enhancing learner mobility across Ontario's post-secondary sector. At Conestoga, this funding will support two projects, both in partnership with Algonquin College with the participation of multiple institutions. 

The Developing Degree Completion Pathways project will develop seamless three-year completion pathways for graduates of high-affinity advanced diploma programs. The collaborative, province-wide standardization of these degrees will expand opportunities to high-quality post-secondary education that meets the demands of today's job market.

Building Frameworks for Degree Pathways and Work Experience Recognition will build sector-wide frameworks for diploma-to-degree pathways in business and applied computing programming programs. By developing assessments to recognize work experience, the project will reduce barriers for students and graduates seeking to upgrade their post-secondary credentials.

"Conestoga is a leader in skills development to meet workforce needs and respond to labour market demands," said Paula Gouveia, vice-president, Academic, at Conestoga. "These specialized projects, enabled by ONCAT funding, will build greater connections with industry and professionals to foster learning opportunities with the college."

Established in 2011 and funded by the Government of Ontario, ONCAT plays a pivotal role in supporting learner mobility, working to support students seeking to move between the province's public colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes. ONCAT partners with post-secondary institutions to help establish academic pathways, facilitate recognition of prior learning, and support learners' transition into the labour market.

"Our province's post-secondary education programs are building Ontario's workforce of today and tomorrow," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "Our government is proud to support ONCAT and their critical efforts to reduce barriers for students looking to get the training they need to begin successful careers that meet our province's labour market needs."

From April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, ONCAT awarded $2.04 million in funding for 29 institutional projects.