Colleges Ontario

(Toronto, Jan. 24, 2008) – First-year enrolment at Ontario’s 24 colleges is on track for a significant increase in 2008, according to preliminary figures released today by Colleges Ontario.

As of Jan. 21, the Ontario College Application Service had received 54,429 applications for the fall 2008 term, a four per cent increase over this time last year.

“Postsecondary education is becoming a necessity for people who want to succeed in today’s economy,” said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “The increase in applications confirms that greater numbers of people recognize the importance of college education and training.”

In 2007, first-year enrolment to colleges increased by six per cent over the previous year.

Franklin said almost 60 per cent of first-year postsecondary students in Ontario attend college, compared with just over 40 per cent who enter university. Franklin said colleges will continue to work with the McGuinty government to provide access to higher education to greater numbers of people.

“Since the government introduced its Reaching Higher plan in 2005, it has been clear that postsecondary education is a priority in Ontario,” Franklin said. “We will continue to work with government to produce the skilled workforce that is essential to our long-term prosperity.”

While the application increase is a positive sign, Franklin said Ontario will need to see even larger numbers of people enrolling in colleges in the years ahead.

“The coming wave of retiring baby boomers and slowing population growth means Ontario faces a skills shortage of more than 360,000 people by 2025,” Franklin said. “College graduates will play an essential part in addressing this challenge.”

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For more information, contact:

Darrell Neufeld
Senior Communications Officer
416 596-0744, ext. 242
neufeld@collegesontario.org