According to a new report released today, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is indispensable to the prosperity of the local region and the health and competitiveness of its labour force.
The report, Conestoga: Adapting for Prosperity II, provides an update of studies released first in 2003 and again in 2010. It examines the impact of the college and its graduates on the community and the local economy, with a focus on how the institution has contributed to the strength and adaptation of the labour force.
The analysis was conducted by economist Larry Smith, adjunct associate professor of economics at the University of Waterloo and president of Essential Economics Corporation, who worked with Conestoga’s Institutional Research director Connie Phelps to complete the most recent update.
Smith presented the findings of the report at a luncheon event attended by local business and community leaders on Tuesday, September 19.
Highlights of the study include:
- Conestoga has provided education and training services to more than half of the local adult population.
- The total number of Conestoga graduates has increased by 108 per cent since 2002: almost 65 per cent of graduates live in the local area (Waterloo Region, Guelph and Stratford), contributing to regional prosperity and the well-being of our community.
- More than 3,500 Conestoga graduates own businesses in the local community: across Ontario, more than 5,000 businesses are owned by Conestoga alumni.
- More than 220,000 individuals have participated in Conestoga’s Continuing Education or Corporate Training courses to build their skills and advance their careers.
- Conestoga graduates contribute more than $2.3 billion each year to the regional economy.
The full report is available at http://www.conestogac.on.ca/about/reports/
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Conestoga in 1967. The college now delivers a comprehensive range of career-focused programs including diplomas, degrees and post-graduate certificates to serve the needs of more than 12,500 full-time students. Part-time and Continuing Education attract more than 38,000 enrolments each year.