For an unprecedented ninth straight year, composite results from the independent Key Performance Indicator (KPI) surveys show that Conestoga College is the overall #1 rated public college in Ontario.
Two outside professional research firms conduct the KPI surveys annually for the province’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Four independently administered surveys measure graduate employment, graduate satisfaction, employer satisfaction and student satisfaction. Taking the composite score of the four surveys (the graduate employment rate, plus the responses of "very satisfied” and "satisfied” from the three satisfaction surveys), Conestoga emerges with an overall average of 88.5, best among the 21 colleges of applied arts and technology and the three institutes of technology and advanced learning.
Furthermore, Conestoga’s performance on the graduate employment survey (95.0 per cent graduate employment success by 2005-06 graduates six months after graduation) is the best of any Ontario public college or institute measured. This marks the third consecutive year and the fourth time in five years that Conestoga has been tops in this important measure.
"All of us at Conestoga are delighted,” says President John Tibbits. "These results flow from our commitment to quality, relevance and excellence, and are testimony to the praiseworthy efforts and expertise of our faculty and staff.”
He adds that the graduate employment numbers are especially significant.
"Preparing our graduates with the skills, attitudes and determination to make the successful transition into employment is why we are here. To lead the province in this area for three consecutive years speaks volumes.”
He observes that the composite figure for every college and institute is good, and emphasizes that the picture presented is of a system of education that offers quality, reliability and economic value.
"Every college is making positive advances. Certainly, Conestoga believes that constant attention to improvement of performance is essential to our mandate. We believe that the student experience and, by extension, the future benefits enjoyed by employers hold the most value when we place emphasis on sound curriculum, good teaching, practical applications of knowledge, functional and attractive facilities, proper instructional equipment, useful learning resources and effective, adaptable support services.”
He adds, "With such a record of excellence, our hope is that we will be able to grow in facilities, enrolment and programming, in order to serve this region properly. We want to be the best polytechnic institute we possibly can be for students, employers and the community. If we can obtain the support to help us grow, we can reach that goal.”
The KPI surveys have been in effect for only nine years, so Conestoga’s ninth consecutive top overall rating means that no other Ontario college or institute has ever occupied the position that Conestoga maintains.
See attached composite chart (pdf)