The Ontario government has invested $25 million to fund 987 additional seats at Georgian College to connect more students to good-paying, in-demand careers. This allocation, which is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seats, supports the province's plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive economy by continuing to develop a world-class workforce. The high-demand areas that are receiving additional seats at Georgian College include programs in health, STEM, trades, education and other labour-market driven programs with seats available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.
"Amid global economic uncertainty, our government is taking decisive action to strengthen and protect Ontario's pipeline of highly skilled workers," said Lorne Coe, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "This seat expansion will ensure that more students can get the world-class education they need to launch good-paying careers while driving Central Ontario's and Ontario's economic growth for generations to come."
This investment is part of the government's historic $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector, which includes $1.7 billion to fund a total of more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats in high-demand sectors at publicly assisted colleges and universities. This seat expansion is the largest postsecondary seat expansion in more than a decade and is aimed at helping the province stand up to tariffs and economic uncertainty by building a highly skilled workforce to support the most competitive economy in the G7.
"Our province's greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce - and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province."
The allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced in May 2026, at which time a call for proposals was launched for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities and industries to identify programs that will prepare students for in-demand jobs and meet regional labour market needs. Ontario evaluated proposals based on institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand to ensure the greatest impact on workforce development and economic growth.
The 987 newly funded seats at Georgian College include:
- 668 seats for health programs
- 178 seats for STEM programs
- 80 seats for trades programs
- 44 seats for education programs
- 17 seats for other, labour-market driven programs
"We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for investing in the high-quality, career-focused education that Georgian College offers to serve our communities and beyond," said Kevin Weaver, President and CEO, Georgian College. "There is growing demand for our students and graduates, and this investment in key programs will help us meet Ontario's workforce and innovation needs as the population in our region grows and ages."
This expansion at Georgian College will ensure students in Central 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.
Quick Facts
- Through the call for proposals, publicly assisted colleges and universities submitted a Priority Growth Plan to the government that reflects their school's strengths, regional economic trends, local labour market needs, and student demand.
- The ministry received over 1,000 letters of support from employers who endorse the expansion of seats across in-demand programs at their local institution.
- 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 new $6.4 billion funding model will raise annual operating funding at colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes 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.
Quotes
"At the Ontario Chamber, we hear every day from businesses facing skills shortages. Strengthening Ontario's talent pipeline is critical to our competitiveness and today's investment will help ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow."
- Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
"This $25 million investment in Georgian College is an investment in our students, our local workforce, and the future of our regional economy. By creating 987 additional seats, we're helping more people gain the skills and hands-on training they need to pursue rewarding careers while supporting local employers in filling in-demand jobs. This expansion will strengthen our communities, create opportunities for the next generation, and help ensure Simcoe County has the skilled workforce it needs to grow and thrive."
- Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte
"This significant investment in Georgian College will create almost 1,000 additional student spaces, opening doors to new opportunities for students pursuing their education and future careers. By expanding access to quality postsecondary education close to home, we are helping students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's workforce. This funding also strengthens the Georgian College's ability to respond to growing workforce demands while supporting local employers and our regional economy. Investing in education is an investment in our students, our communities, and the long-term prosperity of our region."
- Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North
"Our government is investing $25 million to fund 987 additional student seats at Georgian College, giving more students the opportunity to gain the skills and hands-on training they need to succeed in today's workforce. By expanding access to education and career-focused training, we're helping connect more local students to good-paying, in-demand careers, addressing the needs of employers and building a stronger workforce. This investment reflects our commitment to ensuring students have the opportunities, training and support they need to build successful careers and contribute to Ontario's economic future."
- Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil
"Georgian College has a long history of providing students across Simcoe County with the education and hands-on experience to build successful careers. This provincial investment will open more doors for students to pursue their goals, remain connected to their communities and contribute to the future of our growing region. Congratulations to Kevin Weaver and the team at Georgian College on this important expansion."
- Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
Additional Resources
- Ontario Investing $6.4 Billion to Support Postsecondary Sector's Long-Term Success and Sustainability
- Ontario Investing $1.7 Billion to Prepare More Students for In-Demand Careers
- Ontario Investing $57 Million to Support Indigenous Postsecondary Institutes' Long-Term Success and Sustainability
- Learn about colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario
