ONTARIO
Ontario Funding 40,000 New Postsecondary Seats to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

• Through the call for proposals, publicly assisted colleges and universities submitted a Priority Growth Plan to the government that reflects their school's strengths, regional economic trends, local labour market needs, and student demand.
• The ministry received over 1,000 letters of support from employers who endorse the expansion of seats across in-demand programs at their local institution.
• Programs in STEM, health care, trades and education produce graduates who have higher rates of employment in related fields, earn higher wages and drive key sectors of the economy.
• Through Budget 2025, Ontario invested nearly a billion dollars into publicly assisted colleges and universities to fund over 100,000 more seats in programs that produce graduates to meet Ontario's labour market demands such as teaching, nursing, STEM, and skilled trades.
• Ontario's new $6.4 billion funding model will raise annual operating funding at colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes to $7 billion, a 30 per cent increase and the highest level in the province's history.
• As part of its $6.4 billion new funding model, Ontario is also investing a historic $57 million into Indigenous Institutes, including $33 million to expand up to 780 seats for in-demand programs.

"This historic expansion of post-secondary seats will strengthen Ontario's health-care workforce for years to come. Thousands of additional health-care professionals working in hospitals, primary care, long-term care, and in the community means more Ontario families will be able to access the care they need, for years to come."

- Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

"Young people across Ontario are ambitious, talented and ready to build their future, and we need to make sure their education leads to real opportunities when they enter the workforce. By opening 70,000 more seats in programs tied to in-demand careers, we're giving the next generation a clearer path to good-paying jobs while building the skilled workforce our province will depend on for decades to come."

- David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

"Ontario's students are the skilled workforce of tomorrow, and that includes the next generation of teachers. This additional investment will prepare them for the important work of teaching in classrooms across the province. We have a responsibility to ensure students have access to the high-quality learning they need to succeed, and that starts with strong educators."

- Paul Calandra, Minister of Education

"This funding not only invests in colleges and polytechnics in Ontario to produce job-ready graduates who fuel our economy; it recognizes that these institutions, working with industry and government partners to protect Ontario, are more important now, than ever. Thank you, Minister Quinn for your continued, extraordinary leadership and to the provincial government for recognizing the importance of colleges and polytechnics in our communities across the province."

- Maureen Adamson, President & CEO, Colleges Ontario

"Ontario's universities welcome this important investment in new student spaces, which will help meet growing demand in priority programs and prepare students for rewarding careers. With Ontario's economy expected to need more than one million university-educated workers over the next decade, expanding university capacity in STEM, AI, health care, education and other priority fields will strengthen Ontario's talent pipeline and economic competitiveness at a crucial time."

- Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities

"We are grateful to the Ontario government for this important investment in postsecondary education and in the people and industries that power our economy. At Mohawk College, these additional seats will help us respond to workforce demands by aligning and expanding programs in areas with the greatest need for talent. By working closely with our industry and community partners, we will help more students build rewarding careers while strengthening the workforce that Hamilton, the surrounding region and Ontario will rely on for years to come."

- Paul Armstrong, President, Mohawk College

"Building more homes requires both a strong economy and a strong skilled workforce. As Ontario navigates rising costs and global trade uncertainty, investing in the next generation of skilled tradespeople and professionals will strengthen our workforce here at home and help our industry continue building the homes and communities our growing province needs."

- Scott Andison, CEO, Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA)

"Ontario's directors of education/CEOs welcome the Ministry's investment in 70,000 additional postsecondary seats. Expanding capacity in high-demand sectors strengthens the pathways from K-12 to postsecondary education, training and meaningful careers, providing more students with opportunities to pursue their goals, build rewarding careers and contribute to the future of Ontario."

- Joanne Bénard, Executive Director, Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE)

"Under Premier Ford's leadership, our government continues to invest in Ontario's highly skilled workforce and create more opportunities for students to succeed. Ontario's $1.7 billion investment to fund 70,000 additional postsecondary seats will give more students the opportunity to train for in-demand careers right here in our province. Our colleges and universities remain at the forefront of preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow, and we will see this investment directly translate to stronger communities, a more skilled workforce, and a more competitive Ontario economy."

- Monica Ciriello, MPP for Hamilton Mountain

"A strong economy starts with a strong workforce and this investment is helping prepare students and Ontario's workforce for the future. By expanding seats in high-demand programs, we are creating more pathways to good-paying careers, strengthening our talent pipeline, and ensuring communities across the province have the skilled workers needed to support long-term economic growth."

- Natalie Pierre, MPP for Burlington

"Expanding access to nursing education is a critical investment in Ontario's healthcare workforce and the communities we serve. With more than 65,000 Registered Practical Nurses already delivering essential care across the province, increasing access to practical nursing education will help build the workforce Ontario needs for the future. As our population ages and care needs continue to evolve, investments like this are essential to ensuring we have the skilled nursing professionals needed to provide safe, timely and high-quality care. We welcome this commitment to growing Ontario's nursing workforce and creating more opportunities for the next generation of nurses to build their careers and make a difference in communities across the province."

- Lori Singh, CEO, Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN)

"Ontario's economic future demands a robust approach to talent development, anchored on STEM skills needed for research, engineering, health, skilled trades jobs and more. The province is home to world-class industries and innovators, and ensuring they have access to the skilled people they need is critical for competitiveness and growth. That talent pipeline is strongest when we support young people throughout their education journey, helping them discover STEM, build confidence and skills, and see how what they learn connects to the careers shaping Ontario's future."

- Dr. Bonnie Schmidt, CM, PhD, FRSC, President & Founder, Let's Talk Science

"RNAO applauds Ontario's investment to expand postsecondary education in high-demand fields, including nursing. This is good news for students, communities and our health system. We need to open more doors to nursing education -- and then must make sure graduates choose to stay, work and build vibrant careers right here at home. Education and retention go hand in hand to strengthen nursing, improve access to care and ensure every community has the nurses it needs."

- Dr. Doris Grinspun, RN, PhD, O.ONT, CEO, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

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