Conestoga College makes an indelible mark in the Kitchener-Waterloo region; according to college statistics, 55 percent of local adults have participated in some training at Conestoga, and over 5,000 local businesses are owned by graduates.

With over 300 programs across nine campus locations, Conestoga delivers a vast array of certificate, diploma, degree and apprenticeship possibilities in fields including applied computer science and IT, business, community services, creative arts, engineering, food processing, health, hospitality, workforce development, and trades. It has more degree programs than any other college outside of the Greater Toronto Area, including Ontario’s only college-based accredited engineering degrees.

The college is home to a 250,000 sq. ft. skilled trades facility that houses all of its trade programs, such as construction, carpentry, welding, electrical and automotive, among many others. The Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus opened in the fall of 2022 to deliver apprenticeship and post-secondary programs in the industrial/manufacturing and construction trades to address the province’s critical need for skilled workers. The second phase of the Cambridge campus is expected to open its doors in September 2026. It will be the largest state-of-the-art trades training facilities in Canada. Conestoga’s School of Trades & Apprenticeship is the centre of apprenticeship and skills training in Canada’s Technology Triangle. A comprehensive list of programs is offered in the construction, motive power, industrial and service sectors in response to the needs of industry and growth in the local economy.

In 2024, Conestoga opened a new high-tech Centre for Pharmaceutical Studies at its Kitchener – Doon campus. To ensure graduates are prepared for the future of work in this area, the college has invested about $50 million in cutting-edge laboratories equipped with the latest instruments, tools and infrastructure for expanded programming in health sciences, biomedical studies, expanded Personal Support Worker training, and the college’s new stand-alone Bachelor of Nursing degree.

More than 4,000 apprentices hone their skills at Conestoga every year. More than 90 percent of Conestoga students find work within six months of graduation, and 92.3 percent of employers were “very satisfied” with their graduates. Conestoga has the highest graduation rate in Ontario at 72 percent, and 80.7 percent of students are satisfied with their experience.

Named for the region’s historical ties to the Mohawk people, Mohawk College is one of the largest colleges in Ontario with 34,600 full-time, part-time and apprenticeship students.

Mohawk offers 200 degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs, with Practical Nursing and Business being the top two, but the college is also known for its broader programs in health, biotechnology, business, engineering, arts, skilled trades, and professional services. (Note: On December 6, Mohawk College announced the suspension of 17 programs, including the popular Global Business Management program.) Programs also include a robust collaborative degree scheme in partnership with McMaster University.

A hotbed for apprenticeships, Mohawk trains more than 3,000 apprenticeship students each year across 22 different specialties and was the first college in Ontario to provide a provincially recognized post-secondary credential in addition to its apprenticeship certificates.

Mohawk boasts a track record of graduate success: 85 percent of students find employment in their chosen field within six months of graduation, and the college consistently ranks in the upper echelons of graduate employment and employer satisfaction.

As a polytechnic institution, Humber offers a third option between community colleges and universities, delivering over 200 full-time programs in 17 areas of interest to more than 14,000 graduates annually.

The Toronto polytechnic offers degree, diploma, certificate, apprenticeship and continuing education programs spanning six faculties: Applied Technology and Innovation; Business; Community and Social Services; Media, Creative Arts, and Design; Health Sciences and Wellness; and Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Humber checks in near the provincial average in 2022-2023 for student employment, with more than 83.6 percent of graduates finding work within six months – considered the highest among Greater Toronto Area colleges – and an employer satisfaction rate of 96.6 percent.

Humber is one of five military-connected Ontario colleges offering accessible career pathways in skilled trades and technology for Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their spouses to support transition into civilian careers.

Centennial College was Ontario’s first public college, opening in 1966, and over the last 58 years it has evolved to be a college that now has a presence in Brazil, China, India and South Korea. It claims to have the #1 ranking in the Greater Toronto Area for student satisfaction.

Centennial’s five campuses in Toronto deliver 160 programs to 34,000 full-time and 19,000 part-time students. Schools of study include advanced manufacturing, advertising and marketing, animation and design, automotive, business, food, health, IT, media, and sustainable design and renewable energy. Most programs include co-op and placement opportunities, allowing students to graduate with as much as a year of practical work experience in their field.

Centennial is proud of its diverse makeup, noting its student body represents approximately 100 ethno-cultural groups speaking 80 different languages.

More than 80.5 percent of Centennial students find work in their arena within six months of graduation – an improvement from 75 percent in 2020. The college scores an employer satisfaction rate of 81.3 percent (up from 75 percent in 2020).

With over 220 programs catering to 43,000 students, Fanshawe College is one of the largest in the province. The London-based college provides degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in a variety of disciplines including applied arts, agriculture, business, communication and languages, health care, human services, hospitality, media, technology, transportation and logistics, and skilled trades. Fanshawe’s partnership with the University of Western Ontario allows students to pursue collaborative degrees in nursing, finance and music recording arts.

In January 2024, Fanshawe opened its Innovation Village, a 95,000-square-foot centre of creativity and collaboration located in the heart of the London campus. The state-of-the-art space features collaborative workspaces, virtual reality and multimedia labs and cutting-edge equipment aimed at facilitating hands-on learning, creative exploration and complex problem-solving amongst students, faculty, and industry partners.

Fanshawe is one of five military-connected Ontario colleges offering accessible career pathways in skilled trades and technology for Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their spouses to support transition into civilian careers.

More than 40 Fanshawe programs specialize in skilled trades and apprenticeships, and the college offers more than 60 co-op programs, the most of any college in Canada. Fanshawe also maintains relationships with over 15,000 employer partners to connect students to job opportunities. Nearly 89.7 percent of Fanshawe students find work within six months of graduation, 77 percent of graduates are satisfied with their program, and 93.8 percent of employers are satisfied with their candidates. The school’s graduation rate is 66 percent.

Open since 1995, Sudbury-based College Boréal is Ontario’s youngest college of applied arts and technology and one of just two publicly funded francophone colleges in the entire province. Boréal operates 37 sites including eight campuses in 27 Ontario communities. Courses are delivered in French and offered on campuses in Sudbury, Hearst, Kapuskasing, Nipissing, Timmins, Toronto, and Windsor, as well as at smaller learning centres throughout the province.

Boréal students can pursue post-secondary education entirely in French, and also learn the specialized vocabulary of their chosen fields in English, preparing students to become fully bilingual professionals.

Boréal regularly ranks as one of the province’s top schools when it comes to graduation rates, graduate satisfaction, and employer satisfaction. At 71.3 percent, the college’s graduation rate is well above the provincial average. Boreal receives top marks in employer satisfaction at 100 percent – one of seven colleges in Ontario with that rating

Nearly 85 percent of graduates find work within six months of graduation. The college also offers the “Garantie Boréal,” which promises a second full-time training program at no cost if a graduate doesn’t find work in their chosen field within a year following graduation.

Georgian College is a leader in hands-on education delivered through its vast co-op program across seven campuses in central Ontario. The Barrie-based college has the highest percentage of students enrolled in co-op placements of any college in Ontario, as over 5,000 students train with one of the school’s 6,200 co-op partners.

Georgian offers more than 130 programs to 13,000 full-time students across its seven campuses, providing career-focused degree, certificate and diploma programs in fields including business, health, engineering, design and visual arts, computer studies, hospitality and tourism, community safety, marine studies and skilled trades. Most programs offer formal work opportunities, ranging from paid co-ops to field placements and internships.

New programs include Game Design and Simulation, Golf Industry Management, Medical Laboratory Technology, and Electromechanical Engineering Technician – Mechatronics which is an Ontario College Advanced Diploma (with co-op). In this two-year program, students learn in a state-of-the-art lab and work with employers from manufacturing, automation and robotics, such as Magna International and Toronto Hydro. Magna has provided hands-on learning experiences to Georgian College students across its various divisions to co-op students since 2010 and is the proud employer of 210 Georgian grads.

The emphasis on hands-on learning pays off for Georgian students, as more than 90 percent of graduates find work within six months of graduation. Employer confidence is high with Georgian graduates with a satisfaction rate of 100 percent. The graduate satisfaction rate is 79 percent, and 63 percent of students who enroll graduate from a program.

Georgian is one of five military-connected Ontario colleges offering accessible career pathways in skilled trades and technology for Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their spouses to support transition into civilian careers.

Niagara College touts itself as a leader in applied education, and the numbers don’t lie: each year, more than 11,000 students take part in co-ops, internships, field placements and other applied opportunities.

The college, based in the beautiful Niagara region just west of the Canada-U.S. border, is located on two modern campuses: Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Welland campus, set on 100 acres of green space, is home to programs in technology, skilled trades, broadcasting, communications, health and community, policing and public safety, and automotive. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus provides state-of-the-art facilities and living labs for its environmental, horticulture, hospitality and tourism, and business programs.

All together, the college delivers over 130 full-time programs, including certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree, graduate and apprenticeship programs in arts, business, engineering technology, culinary arts, health, technology and trades. There are also hundreds of online continuing education courses and 18 different part-time programs.

Located in the heart of Ontario wine country, the college features unique campus facilities and opportunities. It was the first college in Canada to create a teaching winery, brewery, and distillery where students can earn their credentials as winery technicians, brewmasters, and artisanal distillers. Another unique offering is the commercial cannabis production program, the first such postsecondary program in Canada.

Nearly 90 percent of NC graduates find work within six months of graduation and 90 percent of employers are satisfied with their hires. The college also reports a graduation rate of 66.4 percent, and 88.4 percent of students report they’re satisfied with their educational experience.

With almost 40,000 full-time students and 23,400 part-time and continuing education students learning across 5 main campus locations, Seneca is one of the largest colleges in Canada. The Toronto-based post-secondary institution offers more than 300 full-time, part-time and continuing education programs across 13 faculties including aviation, business, creative arts, education and social services, engineering, fashion and esthetics, health, hospitality, media, science and more. Seneca’s highly diverse student body includes 24,600 international students representing more than 150 countries. Campus locations are concentrated in the Greater Toronto Area, except for the Peterborough location which is home of the aviation campus and fleet of 22 aircraft.

In 2019, Seneca unveiled the $85 million Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, a high-tech hub for applied sciences and engineering technology such as robotics and mechatronics as well as a data analytics research centre and entrepreneurial incubator initiative, HELIX. Since its launch, more than 600 new venture ideas have been pitched to the incubator and startups have had the benefit of learning how to improve their pitching skills and develop their entrepreneurial mindset.

More than 79 percent of Seneca students find a job in their field within six months of graduating. Employer satisfaction is 89 percent, which puts it just below the provincial average of 91 percent. Of those surveyed, 75 percent of graduates say they are satisfied with their experience at Seneca. The overall graduation rate is 62 percent.

Over its 112-year history, beginning with the Haileybury School of Mines, Northern College has always been driven by the necessity to train skilled professionals to meet the needs of the region.

Northern offers more than 75 full-time, part-time, certificate, diploma, and apprenticeship programs across campus locations in Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Moosonee and Haileybury. Its full-time programs cover business, community services, engineering, health sciences, veterinary sciences, welding and trades. Apprenticeships include automotive service, construction and maintenance electrician and industrial millwright mechanics.

Students in the emergency services program get hands-on training in Northern’s unique Integrated Emergency Services Complex, a facility complete with mock courtroom, holding cell, fingerprint and various simulation labs. It also features an advanced disaster management simulator which simulates real-time disaster scenarios, the first simulator of its kind in Canada.

Northern also uses virtual reality technology to create immersive environments and experiences for its trade programs, as well its health, mining and Indigenous studies classrooms.

Northern College scored 94.4 percent in graduate employment, well above the 85.6 percent provincial median, and 84.1 percent in graduate satisfaction, again, well above the 76.8 percent median. The College also saw a 100 percent score in employer satisfaction (91.8 percent median). Northern College was also ahead of the curve in graduation rate with 66.3 percent, above the 65 percent provincial median.

St. Lawrence College’s recently expanded and modernized campus sits on the banks of the St. Lawrence river in historic Kingston, on 23 hectares of former farmland purchased from the Ontario government for one dollar.

Students can choose from over 100 full-time programs across three campuses – in Brockville, Cornwall and Kingston, ranging from one-year certificates to four-year degree programs, and apprenticeship training. (Note: On January 28, 2025, St. Lawrence College announced the suspension of 55 programs across its campuses, taking effect as of the Spring 2025 semester.) Students with previous diplomas can also pick from a variety of one-year “fast-track” programs in fields such as business administration, police foundations, human resources and environmental technology, among others.

St. Lawrence checks in above the provincial average in graduate employment, with more than 93 percent of students finding work in their field within six months, with the College’s employer satisfaction score at 88.9 percent, just shy of the provincial average of 91.8 percent. St. Lawrence reports an above-average student satisfaction as well, at 83 percent compared to the provincial average of 76 percent.

George Brown has a distinct Toronto flavour at its heart, named for a prominent local politician, abolitionist, and newspaperman, and the only college located in the downtown core of Ontario’s capital city. Its location draws students who have a desire to learn and apply their skills in the leading restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and businesses in Canada’s largest city.

More than 28,500 full-time and 2,850 part-time students attend the college’s 175 programs in arts, business, hospitality and culinary arts, construction and engineering, community services and early childhood, preparatory studies, and health sciences.

George Brown emphasizes experiential learning through apprenticeships, co-ops, field placements and similar situations at either real or simulated workspaces. One hundred percent of career-focused programs include at least one experiential learning opportunity. Hospitality and culinary arts students hone their craft at the school’s student-run restaurant and event space The Chefs’ House, and health studies take place in the healthcare simulation centre, which features a mockup operating room and practice labs.

Students find success at George Brown, with 83.6 percent finding employment within six months of graduating, and 74.6 percent indicate they are satisfied with their education from the college. George Brown students enjoy success in the workplace, with an 89.3 percent employer satisfaction rate. The graduation rate is higher than the average across Ontario colleges at 67 percent.

Algonquin College is one of Ontario’s largest, training over 18,000 full-time students on its three campuses in Ottawa and nearby Perth and Pembroke. Algonquin’s course catalogue features more than 325 full and part-time programs to choose from, including 73 Ontario college diplomas, more than 50 co-op programs, 16 bachelor degrees, and a number of collaborative degrees offered in partnership with Carleton University and the University of Ottawa.

(Note: On January 9, 2025, the college announced it intends to close the Perth campus in August 2026 due to significant fiscal challenges, and on February 11, it announced the suspension of 37 academic programs as of the Spring 2025 semester.)

Fields of study include the faculties of advanced technology, business, construction, health, hospitality, media and design, and public safety. In the technology field, Algonquin’s “We Saved You A Seat” initiative aims to narrow the gender gap in the STEM fields by actively recruiting women to select programs and reserving up to 30 percent of classroom seats for qualified female candidates. There are also financial aid opportunities offered through this program.

A one-year certificate program called Pathways to Indigenous Empowerment develops common career skills like math, communication and computer sciences alongside courses on traditional Indigenous knowledge and individualized career coaching for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.

About 86 percent of Algonquin graduates find work in their chosen field within six months of graduation, and employers report a 92 percent satisfaction rate. The school has a graduation rate of 77.3 percent.

North Bay’s Canadore College is among the smaller colleges in the province, with approximately 5,600 students each year. Nevertheless, it delivers a diverse range of over 80 full-time programs and apprenticeships. Canadore’s 12 schools of study and four academic faculties cover art and design, aviation, community justice, culinary arts, environmental studies, health, sports and trades.

About 1,000 Indigenous students are part of Canadore’s student body, and the college prides itself on its Indigenous studies program, including unique offerings on Indigenous wellness and addictions prevention, and the First Peoples’ Aviation Technology program.

The college delivers programs in three North Bay campus locations, as well as facilities in Parry Sound where students train in practical nursing, personal support work, early childhood education and photography programs, among others.

There is also “general interest” study offering, with individual courses on a wide range of topics, including AI, astronomy, corporate law, critical thinking, and motorcycle training.

Canadore ranks above the provincial average for postgraduate employment, with 88.4 percent of students finding work in their chosen field within six months. Employers also report success hiring Canadore grads, with 85.7 percent indicating they are satisfied with their hires. For students, 82 percent indicate they are happy with their experience at Canadore.

Loyalist College hosts a relatively small population of about 5,000 students on a sprawling 81-hectare campus in Belleville, Ontario. A new campus located in Port Hope, Ontario, was opened in 2024. The small class sizes and hands-on learning opportunities provided to students makes it a popular choice in Eastern Ontario. The college offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in fields such as health and human studies, business, media, justice, technology, and skilled trades.

Notable programs aim to train students for new opportunities created by recent and significant changes in the business and scientific sectors. A newly created course in financial technology, for example, introduces students to the rapid digital upheaval in the financial services industry, and a new one-year postgraduate program in cannabis applied sciences provides hands-on education in cannabis biology, cultivation, regulatory issues and product development.

Loyalist’s motto is “We put you to work,” and recent statistics bear that out; nearly 90 percent of students find employment in their field within six months of graduation, and the college reports a 100 percent employer satisfaction rate. The graduate satisfaction rate is 80 percent, above the provincial average of 76 percent for Ontario’s 24 public colleges.

Fleming College is an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology with campuses in Peterborough, Lindsay, Haliburton, and Toronto. With more than 80,000 graduates, the college emphasizes practical, hands-on education that prepares graduates for success in the workplace.

In 2022, a new Toronto campus situated in midtown near Yonge and Eglinton opened in partnership with Trebas Institute Ontario. It gives students access to all the career opportunities that come with living in Canada’s business capital.

The college carries its namesake Sir Sanford Fleming’s legacy of versatility and creativity, offering more than 130 full-time programs in arts and heritage, business, environmental and natural resource sciences, general arts and sciences, health and wellness, justice and community development, skilled trades and technology, and continuing education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni. The college also offers collaborative degree programs in partnership with Trent University, where students can earn their BSc in nursing or ecological restoration.

In 2024, Fleming announced the launch of two new graduate certificate programs through Fleming College Toronto – Artificial Intelligence and Health Care Management – Canadian Context.

Eighty-seven percent of Fleming students are employed in their field within six months of graduation, and employers report a satisfaction rate of almost 93 percent.

With more than 5000 full-time students and 100-plus full-time programs across three campuses, Sudbury-based Cambrian College is the largest in northeastern Ontario. With an average 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Cambrian delivers relatively intimate learning environments for its certificate, diploma, degree and apprenticeships in health, engineering, creative arts, community services, law and justice, business and IT, safety and environmental studies, general arts and sciences, and skilled trades. Some programs, including social work and general arts and science are also provided with an Indigenous specialization.

Cambrian has developed a reputation for punching well above its weight in skill development. Cambrian students regularly dominate at the annual Skills Ontario competition, including three gold, three silver and five bronze medals at the 2024 event.

On top of those accolades, Cambrian tops Ontario colleges in graduate employment, with 89 percent of students finding work within six months, above the provincial average of 85 percent. Graduates report a 81 percent satisfaction rate and employer satisfaction comes in at nearly 78 percent.

Confederation College has an average of 7,000 combined full- and part-time students per year. The college’s main campus is in Thunder Bay, the sunniest city in Eastern Canada – averaging 2,121 hours of sunshine per year – and the largest city on the shores of the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior.

From Thunder Bay and its seven regional campuses across northwest Ontario, Confederation delivers 60 full-time programs across 11 areas of study, including aviation, business, engineering, health, hospitality, media, natural resources, protective services and skilled trades. The college is regarded as a leader in Indigenous education, establishing its focused Negahneewin (Ojibwe for “leading the way”) Student Services Department to accommodate the unique needs of Indigenous learners.

In terms of graduate satisfaction rate, Confederation College stands at 82.5 percent, which is 5.7 percent ahead of the provincial average. The college’s graduate employment rate is 89.7 percent, which is 3.9 percent higher than the provincial average.

Windsor-based St. Clair College is home to about 15,000 full-time students enrolled at three campuses and the Ace Acumen campuses in the Greater Toronto Area. St. Clair currently offers 143 certificate, diploma and degree programs across its six campus locations in Windsor and nearby Chatham on the shores of Lake St. Clair. Areas of study include business, IT, community studies, engineering, health sciences, media and design, and skilled trades.

(Note: On February 10, 2025, the college announced it is suspending 18 programs due to reduced demand in the wake of changes to international student policy.)

The college also runs a standalone school of nursing, separate from its health sciences program. Both faculties use the state-of-the-art Centre for Applied Health Sciences, a sprawling facility with a simulated hospital environment, full dental clinic and specialized labs for ultrasounds, cardiovascular technology and respiratory therapy.

Eighty-eight percent of St. Clair graduates find work in their field within six months of graduation, and 89 percent of employers are satisfied with their St. Clair grads.

Durham College offers 145 full-time programs across nine academic faculties in the fields of hospitality, business, IT, health, justice, media and design, science and engineering, among others. The Faculty of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship delivers training in 15 trades such as automotive technology, carpentry, construction, electrical engineering, HVAC, millwright, elevating and welding, complete with numerous co-op and apprenticeship opportunities.

Programs are delivered on campuses in Whitby and Oshawa, where Durham shares a campus with Ontario Tech University. The two schools also share a collaborative diploma-to-degree program in multiple fields, including business, HR, marketing and IT.

Located on the Whitby campus, the apprenticeship program features cutting-edge facilities such as the Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades, as well as the brand-new Vanhaverbeke Family EV Training Centre and two Learning Living Labs. Learn from experienced, industry-expert faculty and gain hands-on experience in the modern shop spaces where students hone skills to launch their career with confidence.

Among Durham’s unique program offerings are a graduate certificate in clinical biometrics and a certificate program in esports business management. Complementing that program is the Esports Gaming Arena on the Oshawa campus that offers recreational and competitive esports.

Nearly 89 percent of Durham graduates are employed in their chosen field within six months of graduation; employer satisfaction is 95 percent and graduate satisfaction is almost 77 percent.

Sheridan College is one of Ontario’s largest and is widely recognized as one of the top animation schools in the world, and Canada’s largest arts school. The competitive Honours Bachelor of Animation degree is a four-year, hands-on program that emphasizes classical principles of animation in a variety of forms, including 2D digital, 3D and stop motion, as well as post-graduate certificates in computer animation, visual effects and digital creature animation. The college has produced multiple Academy Award-winning animators, and graduates regularly find work in powerhouse animation studios such as Pixar and Dreamworks.

More than 40,000 students attend Sheridan, earning certificates, diplomas, degrees and micro-credentials from more than 100 programs in five faculties: animation and design, health and community services, applied science and technology, humanities and business. The college delivers classes in Mississauga, Oakville, and Brampton.

Nearly 82 percent of Sheridan graduates find work in their field within six months of graduation, with employer satisfaction at 94 percent. Sheridan also has an average graduation rate of 65 percent.

Sault (pronounced ‘Soo’) College is centrally located in Sault Ste. Marie near the shores of Lake Superior and a stone’s throw from the Canada-U.S. border. Delivering over 70 programs available to some 4,700 students, the college boasts small class sizes and intimate learning settings with a student-to-faculty ratio below the provincial average.

In an effort to expand its offerings, Sault College has partnered with triOS College to help deliver programs in Toronto (Toronto South West) and Brampton, Ontario. Students who are registered at Sault College in Brampton are students of the public college system and receive full credit from Sault College for all Sault College courses completed at the Brampton location.

Students at Sault pursue certificates, diplomas and upgrading programs in health, culinary arts, community services, business, engineering, general arts and science, media and design, information technology, engineering and aviation. Apprenticeships span a dozen specialties, ranging from ironwork to hairstyling.

Sault graduates have an employment success rate of 89 percent working in their field within six months of graduation. Employers report a 100 percent satisfaction rate and 83 percent of graduates are satisfied with their experience.

La Cité was Ontario’s first French-language college and its focus on experiential learning aims to fill the province’s need for skilled French-speaking workers. In that spirit, the Ottawa-based college runs 180 career-oriented programs in 19 fields of study, including business, agribusiness, education, engineering, arts, construction, hospitality, computer science, media, health, legal and more. Courses are primarily in French, although students are also typically taught the specialized terminology of their chosen field in English.

To achieve its goal of hands-on learning, the primary Ottawa campus alone houses 100 labs and practical learning facilities, such as the 911 Institute, an emergency training facility housing a police station, fire station, and other simulated security and emergency environments. In nearby Orleans, the 57,000 sq. ft. Skilled Trades Institute provides a comprehensive training ground for instruction in welding, masonry, plumbing, electrical, and other specialties.

In 2024, La Cité announced that its Bio-Innovation Technology Access Centre will house a new laboratory dedicated to applied research, including new state-of-the-art equipment, thanks to funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. La Cité will be part of the effort to contribute to Ontario’s life sciences strategy, particularly in the sub-sectors of medical technology and cellular agriculture.

La Cité graduates find success in the job market, as 85 percent find work within six months of their graduation. However, employer satisfaction comes in at 60 percent which is a considerable drop from its previous rating of 100 percent.

Lambton College was the second college in Ontario’s public system, opening its doors in 1966 with just 54 students. The Sarnia-based school is a college of about 5,000 students studying across multiple campuses, including two locations in China.

The college’s course catalogue offers more than 70 full-time degree, diploma and certificate programs. It began with a focus on technology and skilled trades, and has expanded to offer programs in health services, business, and community services. Programs range from diplomas and degrees to micro-credentials – four-week units designed to teach specific competencies required in a career field. Programs include business, community services, education, emergency services, healthcare, hospitality, IT, technology, and trades.

Lambton is recognized as a leader in applied innovation in research; it recently ranked in second in Ontario and third nationwide in an annual survey of Canada’s top 50 research colleges – securing its standing as one of Canada’s premier research colleges for the eighth year in a row.

Lambton grads tend to succeed in the job hunt, with over 79 percent finding work within six months of graduation. The graduate satisfaction rate is 73 percent.

Lambton is one of five military-connected Ontario colleges offering accessible career pathways in skilled trades and technology for Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their spouses to support transition into civilian careers.