On Tuesday, October 23, the Honorable Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced that the province will no longer be able to provide funding for new post-secondary campus projects slated for Markham, Brampton and Milton.
In her statement, Minister Fullerton explained that the fiscal restraints required to deal with province’s $15 billion deficit, in addition to the need to ensure all spending is delivering the best value for the people of Ontario, necessitated the difficult decision.
Conestoga was the designated college partner for the Milton campus project led by Wilfrid Laurier University. The two institutions also work in collaboration for the delivery of post-secondary education in Brantford.
Conestoga understands and respects the government’s decision to withdraw funding at this time. While the college recognizes the importance of access to quality post-secondary education, it is essential that future investments meet the needs of all Ontarians, further contributing to the province’s ability to address current and emerging skills shortages, and directly supporting the needs of employers.
Job vacancy rates are at historic highs in Ontario and across Canada as employers struggle to find appropriate candidates to fill open positions. Recent reports indicate that as many as 400,000 jobs currently remain open as the result of a dearth of qualified candidates.
We look forward to future opportunities to continue our work with Wilfrid Laurier University as well as our government, industry and community partners to develop a revised model for the cost-effective delivery of post-secondary education that will address identified needs and provide enhanced opportunities for people in Milton to develop the skills and knowledge to launch successful careers and contribute to the broader well-being and prosperity of Ontario and their local community.
Conestoga is a leader in the delivery of career-focused education, responding to changing workforce needs and empowering learners from all backgrounds and circumstances to achieve their highest potential.
For more information, visit www.conestogac.on.ca