2014 Orazietti crop

Supplied by Sault MPP David Orazietti… Ontario Government Supporting Better Access to Postsecondary Education in the North   Sault Ste. Marie – The Ontario government is helping Sault College and five other northern colleges work together to expand access to programs and improve student access to education in the North, announced David Orazietti, MPP.   “This initiative will allow these colleges to collaborate more effectively and improve access to a high-quality education for northern students in the programs which are seeing the highest demand,” said Orazietti. “Our government has demonstrated a commitment to expand access to post-secondary education, and this investment of $3.6 million over three years will help these colleges facilitate program growth.”

Sault College, Collège Boréal, Cambrian College, Canadore College, Confederation College, and Northern College are designing and delivering shared programming to improve and expand access to training opportunities in eight subject areas – business, hospitality, media arts, health, community services, technology, trades and aviation.   Ontario’s $3.6 million investment in the Northern Colleges Collaborative Programming Project will help the colleges work together to:

” Streamline resources to ensure long-term financial stability ” Use their proven experience in technology-enabled learning to provide more students with access to postsecondary education ” Improve the quality and efficiency of administrative and service delivery such as IT, program scheduling, curriculum generation and registration functions   “Sault College has established ongoing collaborative relationships to explore new opportunities and innovative partnerships to address unique labour market and educational needs in the North,” said Dr. Ron Common, President of Sault College. “Northern Ontario Colleges share similar socio-geo-economic characteristics and the Northern Colleges Collaborative Programming Project aims to enhance the scope of learning opportunities and supports to residents and communities of this region. The student-focused initiative will help contribute to the development of the North and improve the student experience, while realizing the objectives of a new vision for postsecondary education. Sault College is proud to partner with our fellow northern colleges in this way.”   Helping improve postsecondary education in northern Ontario is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.   QUICK FACTS ” Ontario is investing $3.6 million over three years for the program. ” The colleges are making an in-kind investment of $1.2 million over three years to support the new collaborative programming model. ” In August 2014, Ontario announced an investment of $3 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to help the six northern colleges market the North as a place for students to study and find work. ” Operating grants provided to Ontario’s northern colleges have increased from $122 million in 2002-03 to $182 million in 2013-14 – an increase of 49 per cent.

LEARN MORE   ” Northern Colleges Work Together to Expand Programs (link to backgrounder) ” Enhancing college enrolment across northern Ontario ” Operating grants issued to colleges and universities