Ontario Investing $1.7 Billion to Prepare More Students for In-Demand Careers
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Investment will fund 70,000 additional postsecondary seats to train the next generation of highly skilled workers for Ontario’s in-demand sectors
News Release | May 27th, 2026
OSHAWA — The Ontario government is building a stronger, more resilient workforce by investing $1.7 billion to fund an additional 70,000 seats in high-demand sectors such as health care, STEM, education and skilled trades at publicly assisted colleges and universities across the province. As part of the government’s historic $6.4 billion new postsecondary funding model, this investment will protect students’ access to the education they need to launch successful careers and good-paying, in-demand jobs, ensuring Ontario has the workforce it needs to support the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7.
“In the face of economic uncertainty, Ontario is moving quickly to build a resilient, highly skilled, future-ready workforce to supply our critical industries with the talent pipelines they need to compete on the global stage,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This investment will prepare tens of thousands of new students for the in-demand jobs of tomorrow that strengthen local workforces and protect Ontario’s economy for generations to come.”
Since launching the new funding model in February, the province has moved quickly, investing $975 million to fund 30,000 more seats in health care, STEM and education. Today, the government is building on that progress by launching a call for proposals supported by a further $730 million investment, to create 40,000 new seats across economy-driving programs including health care, teaching, STEM and skilled trades, for a total of 70,000 seats and $1.7 billion invested at Ontario’s colleges and universities.
As part of the call for proposals, colleges and universities will engage with local businesses and employers in their community to submit a growth plan to the government that ensures expanded seats are aligned with local labour market demands. The first of these seats will be open for students in Fall 2026.
“Economic growth depends on talent,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “That’s why the Ontario Chamber continues to champion investments like this one, expanding capacity in high-demand fields such as health care, STEM and the skilled trades to build a competitive, future-ready workforce.”
Together, these investments will ensure students across Ontario can access the education they need to launch rewarding, in-demand careers, while ensuring Ontario’s world-class institutions can continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come.
Quotes
"Ontario Tech University is uniquely aligned with the province’s goal to build a future-ready workforce. As the province prioritizes STEM investments, Ontario Tech is producing talented STEM graduates equipped to contribute immediately to the highly skilled workforce Ontario needs." - Dr. Stephen Murphy, President, Ontario Tech University
"The Ontario government’s $1.7 billion investment to expand high-demand postsecondary programs will have a meaningful impact on students, communities and employers across the province. At Durham College, this commitment strengthens our ability to deliver industry-aligned education in critical sectors such as health care, skilled trades, and STEM, ensuring our graduates are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the province to help build a strong, resilient economy for Durham Region and beyond." - Dr. Elaine Popp, President, Durham College
"Ontario’s colleges and polytechnics are proud to partner with the government to prepare more students for rewarding careers in the sectors driving our economy and strengthening our communities. Our institutions have a proven track record of delivering career-focused and employer-responsive education. This investment will expand access to high-quality programs in high-demand fields, including health care, skilled trades and STEM." - Maureen Adamson, President and CEO, Colleges Ontario
"Ontario’s universities welcome the provincial government’s expansion of 40,000 new student spaces, building on the 30,000 spaces announced earlier this year. Together, these investments will help more students access high-demand programs while reinforcing the critical role universities play in developing the highly skilled talent, research capacity and innovation needed to strengthen Ontario’s economy and build the industries of the future." - Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities
"Today’s transformative investment will allow Durham Region’s businesses, students, industries and academic institutions to escalate Durham’s long-standing commitment to strengthened competitiveness in all facets of local economies. The rapid pace of global change has created new local opportunities. To compete requires the brightest minds backed by the Ministry’s ambitious investment which will drive economic growth and create jobs for years to come." - Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby
"Durham Region continues to grow and investments like this are critical to ensuring students have access to the education and training they need to succeed in the careers of tomorrow. By expanding opportunities in high-demand fields, our government is helping build a stronger workforce, support local employers and strengthen our communities for the future." - Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham
"This investment is a tremendous opportunity for our local communities to grow and support the economy for years to come. By expanding access to in-demand programs like health care, skilled trades, education and STEM, we are not only opening more doors for students, but ensuring these new seats reflect real workforce needs." - Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge
Quick Facts
Through the call for proposals, publicly assisted colleges and universities will be required to submit a Priority Growth Plan to the government that reflects their school’s strengths, regional economic trends, local labour market needs, and student demand.
Programs in STEM, health care, trades and education produce graduates who have higher rates of employment in related fields, earn higher wages and drive key sectors of the economy.
Through Budget 2025, Ontario invested nearly a billion dollars into publicly assisted colleges and universities to fund over 100,000 more seats in programs that produce graduates to meet Ontario's labour market demands such as teaching, nursing, STEM, and skilled trades.
Ontario’s $1.7 billion investment is part of a new long-term funding model for postsecondary institutions, bringing an additional $6.4 billion into the sector and raising annual operating funding to $7 billion, a 30 per cent increase and the highest level in the province’s history.
As part of its $6.4 billion new funding model, Ontario is also investing a historic $57 million into Indigenous Institutes, including $33 million to expand up to 780 seats for in-demand programs.
