News Release

Ontario Invests In College Equipment Modernization

McGuinty Government Helps Update Learning Environments For Students

April 25, 2008

Ontario college students will benefit from more new books and cutting-edge lab materials under a three-year, $60-million program to renew campus equipment.

Ontario's 24 colleges will each receive funding for tools, books and equipment they have identified as priority items. Eligible first-year expenditures include:

• Computers or software for classroom use
• Books or digital materials for libraries
• Equipment or machinery for lab instruction.

The 2008 Ontario Budget invests $1.5 billion in colleges, universities and training programs, furthering the government's commitment to provide students with the best learning environments and the most up-to-date equipment and technology.

Quotes

"To compete in tomorrow's global economy, today's students must be trained on the most modern, up-to-date equipment and software available. Investing in our students is an investment in Ontario's future," said Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy.

"This fund will allow colleges to make much needed investments in equipment, labs and classrooms, enhancing the quality of our hands-on education and training programs. This will strengthen the colleges' ability to help produce the highly skilled workforce that Ontario needs," said Linda Franklin, President and CEO of Colleges Ontario.

Quick Facts

• 90.1 per cent of Ontario college graduates last year have already found employment, and 92.6 per cent of their employers are glad they hired them.
• More than one million students have graduated from Ontario's colleges since they were founded in 1967. In 2005, more than 59,000 students graduated from colleges in Ontario, up from 37,000 per year ten years earlier.

Learn More

Learn more about Ontario's colleges.

Explore what you can do after high school.

See also:

• Backgrounder: New Funding For College Teaching Equipment
• Backgrounder: College Equipment Funding