Confederation College has expanded its Practical Nursing program thanks to a $1.2 million investment from the Government of Ontario. The funding is supporting 50 additional seats, helping to address critical health care staffing needs across northwestern Ontario.
"Expanding our Practical Nursing program with funded, fast-track seats is a critical step in addressing the health care human resource needs in our region," said Michelle Salo, President of Confederation College. "This investment allows more students to receive high-quality, hands-on training close to home while ensuring our communities benefit from a growing pool of skilled and dedicated health care professionals."
"This investment is truly needed in our region," said The Honourable Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. "The addition of 50 seats to Confederation College's Practical Nursing program will help train and graduate more nurses right here in the North. This will directly support our local health care organizations that are facing staffing shortages."
Launched in March 2025, the expanded offering includes a condensed format that enables students to complete their training by summer 2026. The funding, part of Ontario's Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, is also supporting clinical placements and accelerated training delivery.
Representatives from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph's Care Group, and Southbridge Care Homes attended the announcement and spoke to the importance of Confederation College's Practical Nursing program in supporting the regional health care system.
For more information
1450 Nakina Drive
Thunder Bay Ontario
Canada P7C 4W1
www.confederationcollege.ca/
