Colleges Ontario

(Toronto, Jan. 28, 2009) – The presidents of Ontario’s 24 colleges are urging the Ontario government to follow Ottawa’s lead and invest in college infrastructure projects in this year’s provincial budget.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Ontario to create new jobs immediately and to invest in the province’s economic strength over the longer term,” said Anne Sado, the chair of the colleges’ committee of presidents and president of George Brown College.

“Investing in shovel-ready projects will stimulate job growth and create new spaces to help colleges deliver quality education and training to Ontario students.”

Sado’s comments follow yesterday’s federal budget announcement of investments into college infrastructure. The presidents from Ontario’s 24 colleges met in Toronto on Monday and Tuesday and the capital requirements at colleges was one of the main subjects of discussion.

Building repairs are long overdue in many colleges. Major systems such as water, sewer, mechanical, electrical and heating and air-conditioning need renewal.

There are also health and safety issues to address, such as facility modifications to improve access for disabled students. And additional capital funding will enable colleges to improve energy conservation and reduce future energy costs.

These kinds of renewal projects are in keeping with the province's plans, announced in 2004, to revitalize public infrastructure projects in priority areas such as schools, hospitals and roads.

The need for improvements is growing more urgent. The recession has increased the numbers of students applying to colleges. This year, there was a 10 per cent increase in the number of applicants for programs that start in January, nearly double the 5.1 per cent increase in January 2008.

"Many people, including the recently unemployed, recognize that a college education provides excellent job opportunities," Sado said. "More than 90 per cent of our graduates find work within six months, which is a very attractive prospect in the current economy.

"Infrastructure investment at the colleges will mean government is investing in the future labour force as well as in immediate job creation in the short term,” Sado said.

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For more information:

Sally Ritchie
Senior Communications Officer
Colleges Ontario
(416) 596-0744, ext. 242