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By: Adrian Sharma
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Last month, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller announced the federal government would be introducing an immediate cap on international student permits and placing restrictions on post-graduation work permit eligibility. Alongside this announcement, Miller made troubling comments and directed blame at private institutions for exploding international student numbers and the associated impact on housing and public services like health care.
Miller’s comments came as a surprise to our sector because they don’t measure up to reality, or the role that career colleges play in Ontario’s education system and economy.
In 2023, members of Career Colleges Ontario — which represents the majority of private career colleges in the province — accounted for less than 1% of Ontario’s international student visas. Many of these institutions targeted by these accusations have been designed to address Ontario’s critical labour challenges. Ontario career colleges train workers who staff our hospitals, care for our seniors in long-term care and learn the skills needed to build new homes.
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data shows the issue of exploding international student populations is disproportionately linked to a handful of institutions. We do everyone a disservice — educators, students, employers, Ontarians — if we allow this discussion to become all political theatre debased from existing reality.
The reality is that Ontario’s career colleges train the skilled workers who keep our economy going. From highly skilled health-care workers, daycare staff and audio engineers, to IT professionals and skilled tradespeople, career colleges provide a wealth of educational opportunities for domestic and international students alike. They offer flexible and affordable pathways to meaningful careers.
Ontario’s career colleges offer focused programs that reflect current labour market needs and are conducive to adult learners, many of whom are seeking to upgrade their skills or transition to new careers. The focused schedules of career colleges offer practical, hands-on training and enable students to pursue education while fulfilling work and family responsibilities.
Career colleges are regulated institutions that play a fundamental role in Ontario’s post-secondary education system by offering domestic and international students opportunities that simply do not exist at other institutions.
These institutions are integral to Ontario’s economy. Trained professionals like doctors, engineers and MBAs will tell you their organizations and companies cannot run without the skilled workers career colleges train and certify.
Simply put, career colleges allow students to hit the ground working and contributing upon graduation.
There are regulatory processes in place the government can use to hold bad actors accountable. This important discussion in our province will be better if we park the political rhetoric and inaccurate one-liners and start to collaborate on real solutions.
We stand ready to work with public and private institutions alike, their associations and all levels of government on building a path forward that ensures all students, both domestic and international, receive a fair opportunity to pursue an education of their choosing.
Adrian Sharma is chair of the Career Colleges of Ontario board of directors
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OPINION: Let’s have a reality-based conversation on international students in Ontario
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24.03.2024
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
By: Adrian Sharma
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
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Last month, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller announced the federal government would be introducing an immediate cap on international student permits and placing restrictions on post-graduation work permit eligibility. Alongside this announcement, Miller made troubling comments and directed blame at private institutions for exploding international student numbers and the associated impact on housing and public services like health care.
Miller’s comments came as a surprise to our sector because they don’t measure up to reality, or the role that career colleges play in Ontario’s education system and economy.
In 2023, members of Career Colleges Ontario — which represents the........
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