"Skills budget” does not disappoint OTTAWA, Marc

OTTAWA, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colleges and institutes are very pleased to see a new federal budget focused on lifelong learning for all Canadians, signaling the government’s commitment to skills, innovation and inclusive economic growth. This will strengthen a Canadian economy that is evolving quickly in response to new technologies and untapped potential in a number of sectors, redefining innovation and employment right across the country.

With new funding for skills training, reskilling, work-integrated learning opportunities, and social innovation, colleges and institutes are very pleased to see so many initiatives that respond to their recommendations. Expanded access to grants for part-time students and those with dependent children, together with new and renewed support for Indigenous learners and residents of the three territories, will provide many more Canadians with a path to meaningful employment. Widely recognized for their accessibility and customized support to learners, colleges and institutes welcome the Budget’s new initiatives to improve access to education for underrepresented populations.

Colleges and institutes welcome the creation of the new organization to support skills development recommended by the Advisory Council on Economic Growth. The extensive experience of colleges and institutes – with over 8,000 programs and a wide variety of credentials – in responding to the changing needs of students and employers makes them important contributors to new and innovative approaches to skills development.

“This budget addresses the very real needs of the learners and employers that colleges and institutes work with every day”, says CICan President and CEO, Denise Amyot. “Canadians count on colleges and institutes to make their communities more prosperous and provide the skills needed to adapt to the changing labour market. This budget’s new funding and support will help our members provide lifelong learning to all Canadians.”

The creation of Innovation Canada is a welcome step towards making the programs that support business simpler and more accessible.  Fueling innovation is fundamental to Canada’s future prosperity and colleges and institutes have a proven approach to partnered innovation, based on close collaboration with Canadian small and medium‑sized enterprises. This has helped businesses across the country find innovative solutions to everyday challenges, driving their success and creating jobs.

Colleges and Institutes look forward to the recommendations of the Fundamental Science Review and in the meantime, are thrilled the government has seen fit to renew the Community and College Social Innovation fund. The positive social outcomes generated by this program are just one more way colleges and institutes support Canadian prosperity.

Colleges and Institutes Canada is the national and international voice of Canada’s publicly-supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics. Its members offer over 8000 programs, working with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners of all ages and backgrounds at campuses serving over 3,000 urban, rural and remote communities in Canada. CICan and its members are committed to driving Canadian prosperity by being global leaders in applied education and partnered innovation.

For more information: Julien Abord-Babin Senior Strategic Communications Officer Colleges and Institutes Canada jabord-babin@collegesinstitutes.ca Tel. : 613-746-2222 ext. 3131 Twitter : @CollegeCan