Ontario Tech students to benefit from $91.9-million provincial investment

A $91.9-million investment from the Ontario government will help Ontario Tech University expand capacity in programs aligned with regional and provincial labour-market needs, creating more opportunities for students to pursue career-connected learning in high-demand fields.

The announcement is part of the province’s recently announced post-secondary funding model, which will provide an additional $6.4 billion to universities, colleges and Indigenous Institutes across Ontario. The broader framework includes a $1.7-billion investment to increase enrolment in programs leading to in-demand careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), health care, education and other rapidly growing sectors that are critical to the province’s future economic success.

“Ontario Tech University is proud to help develop the highly skilled talent Ontario needs to support a strong, future-ready workforce,” says Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University. “This provincial investment will help expand student opportunities while supporting continued growth in programs aligned with Ontario’s workforce priorities.”

The university has experienced increased demand for programs that connect with provincial labour-market priorities, particularly in areas such as:

• Nuclear engineering, where Canada faces a growing talent shortage and demand for applied, job-ready graduates. Ontario Tech offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a Nuclear Career Accelerator for mid-career professionals entering Canada’s expanding nuclear sector.
• Transportation infrastructure, including Ontario Tech’s Railway Engineering Specialization, which responds to industry demand for highly skilled talent in rail, transit and transportation systems.
• Nursing and health sciences, helping meet urgent health-care system needs through practice-ready training and clinical experience.
• Education, preparing future educators and leaders for evolving classrooms and digital learning environments.

Advancing innovation and national resilience

Ontario Tech also supports talent development in security-sensitive sectors through:

• Experiential learning and co-operative education opportunities.
• Industry-aligned training and work-integrated learning.
• Applied-research partnerships.
• Career pathways in cybersecurity, mobility, energy and other emerging areas.

This work helps prepare students for careers connected to Canada’s evolving innovation, security and infrastructure needs, while contributing to economic growth, regional development and national resilience priorities.

Preparing graduates for Ontario’s evolving economy

Through teaching, applied research and industry partnerships, Ontario Tech helps address vital workforce needs in Durham Region and across the province while fueling innovation in sectors essential to Ontario’s long-term prosperity.  

“We are grateful for the province’s continued support of post-secondary education, and its recognition of the important role universities like Ontario Tech play in workforce development, research and innovation,” Dr. Murphy says.

Media contact

Patricia Pickett
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.809.1675 (mobile)
patricia.pickett@ontariotechu.ca