The Ontario government is putting money towards 40,000 new post-secondary spots at public colleges and universities as part of a $1.7 billion initiative aimed at creating more than 70,000 extra seats in programs designed to prepare students for careers that are in high demand.
This funding will support programs related to fields such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), healthcare, education, and trades.
Students can expect these new spots to become available starting in the fall of 2026.
Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Nolan Quinn spoke with PTBOToday regarding this announcement.
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The province revealed the initial 30,000 seats back in May and later requested proposals from colleges and universities for the remaining seats. Institutions collaborated with local industries and communities to determine programs based on regional job needs, institutional capabilities, and student interest, according to the government.
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Overall, the complete expansion will include 40,200 STEM seats, 16,100 healthcare seats, 7,900 education seats, 3,800 trades seats and 3,000 seats for other labor-market-focused programs.
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Additional funding announcements for other institutions are expected soon.
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