Ottawa candidates urged to support the expansion of degree programs at colleges

Posted on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

(Ottawa, May 23, 2018) – Ottawa candidates in the 2018 election must commit to providing Ontario’s colleges with the autonomy to develop cutting-edge programs for the new economy, including an expansion of career-specific degree programs at colleges.

“We need to create an environment for learners that ensures they gain the technical and professional skills for the 21st century,” said Algonquin College President Cheryl Jensen. “Colleges must be given the ability to adapt and develop cutting-edge programming to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce.”

Ontario needs a streamlined and effective system for developing new college programs. This would include the expansion of the colleges’ highly successful four-year degree programs and the development of career-specific three-year degree programs.

These reforms will be pivotal to Ontario’s efforts to produce a more highly qualified workforce as artificial intelligence and robotics revolutionize the workplace.

It’s estimated more than 40 per cent of the Canadian labour force is at high risk of being affected by automation within the next 10 to 20 years. However, a 2015 report by Deloitte Canada found more than 85 per cent of employers aren’t fully prepared to handle the impacts of technological disruption.

Colleges have implemented new programs that respond to today’s innovations, including four-year degree programs in areas such as industrial design, digital animation and engineering.

However, the provincial process for developing new programs is cumbersome and inefficient, often leading to unnecessary delays before programs are available to students.

Ontario needs to set clear provincial standards and give colleges the autonomy to create programs that meet those standards. This would include the creation of career-specific three-year degree programs and possible new credentials in areas such as apprenticeship training.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ruth Dunley

Communications Manager

Algonquin College

613-727-4723 ext. 6452

613-406-0970

dunleyr@algonquincollege.com

Chris Lackner

Communications Officer

Algonquin College

613-727-4723 ext. 2091

lacknec@algonquincollege.com


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