Last updated on

Building Ontario’s Future Workforce: 6,269 New Seats at U of Guelph

GUELPH — The Ontario government has invested $176 million to fund 6,269 additional seats at the University of Guelph to connect more students to good-paying, in-demand careers. This allocation, which is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seats, supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive economy by continuing to develop a world-class workforce. The high-demand areas that are receiving additional seats at the University of Guelph include programs in STEM and trades, with seats available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.

“Our province’s greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce – and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province.”

This investment is part of the government’s historic $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector, which includes $1.7 billion to fund a total of more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats in high-demand sectors at publicly assisted colleges and universities. This seat expansion is the largest postsecondary seat expansion in more than a decade and is aimed at helping the province stand up to tariffs and economic uncertainty by building a highly skilled workforce to support the most competitive economy in the G7.

The allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced in May 2026, at which time a call for proposals was launched for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities and industries to identify programs that will prepare students for in-demand jobs and meet regional labour market needs. Ontario evaluated proposals based on institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand to ensure the greatest impact on workforce development and economic growth.

The 6,269 newly funded seats at the University of Guelph include:

  • 5,616 seats for STEM programs
  • 653 seats for trades programs

“We are grateful to Minister Quinn and the Government of Ontario for this important investment in students and Ontario’s future workforce,” said Rene Van Acker, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Guelph. “By creating more spaces in high-demand programs, this investment will build the skilled workforce Ontario needs to grow its economy, strengthen key sectors and remain competitive. The University of Guelph is proud to work with industry and community partners to prepare graduates with the skills that will drive innovation, productivity and prosperity across the province.”

This expansion at the University of Guelph will ensure students in Guelph can access the education they need to launch rewarding, in-demand careers, while ensuring Ontario’s world-class institutions can continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come.

Quick Facts

  • Through the call for proposals, publicly assisted colleges and universities submitted a Priority Growth Plan to the government that reflects their school’s strengths, regional economic trends, local labour market needs, and student demand.
  • The ministry received over 1,000 letters of support from employers who endorse the expansion of seats across in-demand programs at their local institution.
  • Programs in STEM, health care, trades and education produce graduates who have higher rates of employment in related fields, earn higher wages and drive key sectors of the economy.
  • Through Budget 2025, Ontario invested nearly a billion dollars into publicly assisted colleges and universities to fund over 100,000 more seats in programs that produce graduates to meet Ontario’s labour market demands such as teaching, nursing, STEM, and skilled trades.
  • Ontario’s new $6.4 billion funding model will raise annual operating funding at colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes to $7 billion, a 30 per cent increase and the highest level in the province’s history.
  • As part of its $6.4 billion new funding model, Ontario is also investing a historic $57 million into Indigenous Institutes, including $33 million to expand up to 780 seats for in-demand programs.

Quotes

“At the Ontario Chamber, we hear every day from businesses facing skills shortages. Strengthening Ontario’s talent pipeline is critical to our competitiveness and today’s investment will help ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow.”- Daniel Tisch President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

“Through this $1.7 billion investment, Ontario is creating more opportunities for students to gain the skills and training needed for in demand careers. By expanding access to programs in STEM, health care, education and the skilled trades, we are helping more students build a strong future while strengthening the skilled workforce our communities and economy depend on. This investment is about opening more doors for students and ensuring Ontario has the talent we need to grow and succeed.”- Zee Hamid MPP for Milton

“We are fortunate to have an institution like the University of Guelph so close to our communities, and today’s announcement shows our government’s commitment to supporting student access to learning for in demand careers across Wellington-Halton Hills.”- Joseph Racinsky MPP for Wellington—Halton Hills