(Niagara At Large is posting this March 29 media release from Niagara College on the Ontario budget for your information.)
Niagara College is pleased with the funding for literacy, instructional
equipment and 60,000 new postsecondary places announced today as part of
the 2011 provincial budget.
Niagara College president Dan Patterson
“The government is equipping Ontario colleges to train the graduates
we need to grow the province’s economy,” said Niagara College
President Dan Patterson.
“It is vital that we support students in achieving basic skills and literacy, and provide them with the equipment they need, to develop the cutting edge job skills required by employers.”
Funding commitments to postsecondary institutions and students
include:
– $44 million over three years for literacy and basic skills.
– $20 million in instructional equipment for 2011-2012.
– $64 million in 2011-2012, rising to $309 million in 2013-14 for
operating grants for an additional 60,000 postsecondary places by
2015-16.
– An additional $22.5 million this year for the Summer Jobs Strategy,
which targets youth in high-needs neighbourhoods.
“The government is acting now to ensure our future is not one of jobs
without people and people without jobs,” said Patterson. “This
budget will increase the number of Ontarians with postsecondary
credentials, in order to have the skilled population Ontario needs to
create greater prosperity.”
The budget also includes a commitment to create new multi-year
accountability agreements, which ensure that postsecondary institutions
operate efficiently and transparently.
“We look forward to receiving further details that will help us
better understand the impact on our students – both present and future,”
said Patterson.
Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma, bachelor degree and
advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food
and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and
community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food,
wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information, visit
www.NiagaraCollege.ca.
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