Official enrolment numbers for Fall 2014 indicate that Conestoga has attracted a record number of students this year, despite reports of a provincial decline in the total number of new students enrolling in Ontario’s colleges and universities.
According to Alan Vaughan, Conestoga's vice president of enrolment management and international education, enrolment figures after the first ten class days indicate that Conestoga’s total first-year enrolment, at 6,764, has increased by 3.7 per cent over Fall 2013. Numbers have increased both for students coming directly from high school, and for those who are returning to school after a break in their formal education.
Total enrolment in all full-time post-secondary programs, at almost 11,195, represents a 4 per cent increase over the previous year.
Vaughan suggested that there are a number of factors that have contributed to the college’s consistent enrolment growth.
“As the region’s only source for polytechnic education, Conestoga can provide individuals from across our community with access to a unique mix of academic and applied learning programs that lead to rewarding careers,” he said.
Enrolment in degree programs has increased by more than 28 per cent over 2013-14 figures. Another key area of growth for this year is Engineering and Information Technology, with an increase of 12.5 per cent.
Conestoga now delivers twelve career-focused degree programs, including Ontario’s only two college-based engineering degrees accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. New degree programs in Design and in Early Learning Program Development were launched this fall. All degree programs feature a blend of theoretical and applied learning and include co-op work terms to prepare students for successful careers.
Conestoga is Ontario's fastest-growing college, with enrolment growth of approximately 90 per cent between 2005 and 2013. Despite such rapid expansion, the college continues to be a recognized leader in polytechnic education, with graduate employment and satisfaction rates well above the provincial average and higher than those of any other college in southwestern Ontario and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area.