(Toronto, March 28, 2011) Ontario's colleges are praising the government's announcement of 60,000 new spots for postsecondary education by 2015-16.

 

"With college enrolment skyrocketing, this multi-year commitment will generate increased skills capacity which is the most important plank in ensuring a strong economic recovery," said Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario, which represents the province's 24 public colleges.

 

Finance minister Dwight Duncan also announced that colleges and universities will receive an additional $64 million next year, $189 million in 2012-13 and $309 million in 2013-14.

 

Franklin added that these are strong signals that colleges can anticipate postsecondary education will be strongly supported in this budget as it has been in previous budgets.

 

"From Reaching Higher further, this government has recognized the critical role colleges play in this province's prosperity," said Franklin, adding that the new knowledge economy, combined with retiring baby boomers, means we are facing a future with people without jobs and jobs without people.

 

"It is vital that we ensure the vast majority of the population gains postsecondary credentials, including degrees, diplomas and apprenticeship, in order to have the skilled population Ontario needs to grow our economy," said Franklin.

 

"Our colleges work closely with local employers and communities and employers rely on the work-ready skills that college graduates bring to the workplace."

 

Colleges Ontario is the voice of Ontario's 24 colleges of applied arts and technology. Ontario colleges serve about 200 communities throughout the province, delivering a wide range of career-focused education and training programs to more than 200,000 full-time and 300,000 part-time students.

 

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For more information:

Sally Ritchie
Manager, Media Relations and Communications
Colleges Ontario
647 258-7686
647 217-4109 (Cell)

ritchie@collegesontario.org