Provincial candidates urged to endorse measures to strengthen workforce
SARNI, May 4, 2022 - Provincial election candidates are being urged to support a post-secondary action plan on climate change and other measures to produce the strong workforce that will be pivotal to recharging Ontario’s economy.
“The career-focused programming at Lambton and other Ontario colleges provides students with the skills, experience and expertise to succeed in this new workforce and economy,” said Rob Kardas, President & CEO, Lambton College. “Ensuring learners continue to have access to these high-quality programs and experiential learning opportunities is essential for driving economic growth and keeping our communities strong.”
The province’s 24 colleges have released a new platform for the election, called Recharging Ontario. It features several post-secondary priorities the next government should adopt.
The colleges recommend the next government should:
- Invest in new technology and new equipment at Ontario’s colleges.
- Establish new college training programs for the green workforce.
- Promote applied research at colleges to develop new products and help businesses become more efficient.
- Fund more campus-based services to promote student wellness such as front-line counselling and early-intervention supports.
- Create a distinct tuition policy for colleges that provides the necessary resources while ensuring college programs remain affordable and accessible.
These measures and others would build on the colleges’ successes and on the recent announcement that colleges can expand their range of career-focused degree programs. This includes developing new three-year degree programs and expanding the range of four-year degree programs.
“We are committed to working with the next government to continue strengthening higher education for the sake of student and community success,” said Kardas. “We encourage all candidates to support our learners and our safeguard our future prosperity by endorsing these recommendations to recharge Ontario.”