Investing in the future
There's never been a better time to invest in college education. College students are ready to start their careers immediately upon graduation, because they've had the opportunity to marry theory with hands-on applied learning. This combination means Ontario college grads are in high demand in the workplace.In today's economy, it is becoming essential for employees to have some level of post-secondary education. In many cases, the education and training that will best prepare a person for his/her chosen career is found in one of the 2,400 programs offered at Ontario's 24 colleges, in everything from health sciences and business to technology, tourism and hospitality, and much more.
Colleges have programs available for high school graduates looking to pursue a specific career. Colleges also offer retraining to people who have lost their jobs and need to train for new careers, or for people in the workplace who need to improve their knowledge and skill levels to keep up with new technology. Many university graduates go to college to do post-graduate work that builds upon their university education.
In 2006, a survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported that CFIB members facing severe labour shortages expect to hire six college graduates for every one university graduate they hire. It's not hard to understand why: Ontario's college students receive exceptional education and training. The colleges' instructors have extensive experience, strong academic credentials and teach in wellequipped labs. Certificates, diplomas and degrees from Ontario's 24 colleges are widely recognized and valued by employers.
About 60,000 people graduated from Ontario's college programs last year and those graduates are in demand. More than 90 per cent of college graduates who enter the labour force have jobs within six months of graduation. Furthermore, 93 per cent of employers were satisfied or very satisfied with the graduates' overall preparation for the workplace.
For more information about the education opportunities available at any of Ontario's 24 colleges, visit www.ontariocolleges.ca.
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Variety
Ontario college campuses are conveniently located in cities and towns across the province, providing students with a wide selection of settings and programs. More than 600 post-secondary programs are offered in health sciences, business, arts, skilled trades, technology, engineering and community services. Programs, which run from one to four years, lead to certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, bachelor's degrees or joint diploma-degrees. Colleges also provide the bulk of in-class apprenticeship training in Ontario.
Program costs are very competitive, averaging $2,000 per year in tuition for most certificate and diploma programs, and about $4,500 for bachelor's degree or joint college-university programs. For assistance in financial planning, it is suggested applicants visit ontariocolleges.ca and download the Ontario College Guide.
Questions, Questions, Questions
Any student who is thinking about coming to an Ontario college of applied arts and technology should visit the website of Ontario College Application Services at www.ontariocolleges.ca.
Whether enrolling straight from high school, upgrading skills or returning to the classroom after working for a while, ontariocolleges.ca is set up to answer questions about registering, career paths, costs, financial aid, programs, support services and much more.
Ontariocolleges.ca is also students' gateway to the websites of individual colleges and the programs they offer, where they can find specific information about residences, campus tours and other information that will help them to decide what program to take, and where to take it.
Financial Assistance
In addition to bursaries and scholarships available from individual colleges, financial assistance is available from a variety of sources in Ontario.
OSAP – the Ontario Student Assistance Program – assists qualifying full- and part-time students from Ontario. It is important to apply early to allow OSAP to process applications in a timely fashion.
Access
The minimum requirement for admission to a post-secondary college certificate or diploma program is the completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), mature student status (someone without an OSSD or equivalent, but who is 19 years of age on or before the start date of a program) or any lesser minimum requirement as established by a college. Graduate certificate programs are open to those who have a college certificate/diploma or university degree. Prospective students should check the specific requirements for the program that they're interested in, as rules and regulations vary.
Variety
Ontario college campuses are conveniently located in cities and towns across the province, providing students with a wide selection of settings and programs. More than 600 post-secondary programs are offered in health sciences, business, arts, skilled trades, technology, engineering and community services. Programs, which run from one to four years, lead to certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, bachelor's degrees or joint diploma-degrees. Colleges also provide the bulk of in-class apprenticeship training in Ontario.
Program costs are very competitive, averaging $2,000 per year in tuition for most certificate and diploma programs, and about $4,500 for bachelor's degree or joint college-university programs. For assistance in financial planning, it is suggested applicants visit ontariocolleges.ca and download the Ontario College Guide.
Questions, Questions, Questions
Any student who is thinking about coming to an Ontario college of applied arts and technology should visit the website of Ontario College Application Services at www.ontariocolleges.ca.
Whether enrolling straight from high school, upgrading skills or returning to the classroom after working for a while, ontariocolleges.ca is set up to answer questions about registering, career paths, costs, financial aid, programs, support services and much more.
Ontariocolleges.ca is also students' gateway to the websites of individual colleges and the programs they offer, where they can find specific information about residences, campus tours and other information that will help them to decide what program to take, and where to take it.
Financial Assistance
In addition to bursaries and scholarships available from individual colleges, financial assistance is available from a variety of sources in Ontario.
OSAP – the Ontario Student Assistance Program – assists qualifying full- and part-time students from Ontario. It is important to apply early to allow OSAP to process applications in a timely fashion.
Access
The minimum requirement for admission to a post-secondary college certificate or diploma program is the completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), mature student status (someone without an OSSD or equivalent, but who is 19 years of age on or before the start date of a program) or any lesser minimum requirement as established by a college. Graduate certificate programs are open to those who have a college certificate/diploma or university degree. Prospective students should check the specific requirements for the program that they're interested in, as rules and regulations vary.