Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Ontario Announces 40,000 Postsecondary Seats to Address Labour Shortages
Ontario is creating many more places for students at colleges and universities.
The goal is to train people for jobs that employers need.
The province announced 40,000 new spaces in September 2026.
It had already announced 30,000 spaces earlier that year.
Together, the plan includes more than 70,000 spaces funded through the Priority Growth Fund.
Some programs will prepare students for health care, technology, teaching, and skilled trades.
McMaster University and two other institutions received large amounts of funding for new spaces.
Officials say the plan uses job and salary information to guide which programs should grow.
Ontario announced 40,000 new funded student spaces at publicly assisted postsecondary institutions on September 10, 2026.
The allocation follows 30,000 seats announced in May 2026, bringing the Priority Growth Fund commitment to more than 70,000 seats.
McMaster University received $90 million for 2,769 seats, focused mainly on health care and STEM programs.
Ontario Tech University and Durham College received $79 million combined for 2,861 spaces in STEM, health, trades, and education.
The expansion targets sectors including nursing, technology, education, skilled trades, clean energy, and electric-vehicle production.
- Who
- Ontario Minister Nolan Quinn announced the expansion, involving publicly assisted postsecondary institutions.
- What
- The province is funding 40,000 new student spaces, following an earlier allocation of 30,000 seats.
- When
- The latest announcement was made on September 10, 2026; the earlier allocation was announced in May 2026.
- Where
- At publicly assisted postsecondary institutions in Ontario, including McMaster University, Ontario Tech University, and Durham College.
- Why
- To address labour shortages by expanding training in fields linked to regional employer demand.
- New spaces announced
- 40,000 funded student spaces
- Total commitment
- More than 70,000 postsecondary seats under the $1.7-billion Priority Growth Fund
- McMaster University
- $90 million for 2,769 new seats
- Ontario Tech University and Durham College
- $79 million combined for 2,861 new spaces
- Registered nurse median salary
- $87,400 annually, with a Very Good employment outlook
- Secondary school teacher median salary
- $100,000 annually
- Information systems specialist median salary
- $97,800 annually, with a Moderate employment outlook