Ontario Awards Lambton College with More Funding to Expand Successful Rapid Training Programs
Additional funding will help learners in Sarnia-Lambton gain in-demand skills
NEWS
April 25, 2022
Sarnia-Lambton— Ontario is awarding Lambton College $697,070 for its innovative proposal to expand its micro-credential programs, helping more learners in SarniaLambton rapidly upskill and reskill for in-demand jobs. This project is supported through the province’s $15 million investment to accelerate the development of microcredentials across the province.
“I want to congratulate Lambton College on being one of eight institutions to receive an Ontario Micro-credentials Community Impact Award,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “By increasing capacity of our micro-credential programs, our government is committing to training graduates in key sectors to address Ontario’s labour needs while the province continues to make nation-leading investments in the auto sector and build new, critical infrastructure like hospitals, roads and bridges.”
“Expansion of these rapid training initiatives at Lambton College will help learners develop in-demand skills so they can immediately contribute to a future-proof workforce that will deliver on Ontario’s most urgent priorities,” said Bob Bailey, MPP for SarniaLambton. “From technology to health human resources, our government’s support of micro-credentials will help meet the local labour needs of Sarnia-Lambton, benefitting not just learners, but also employers.”
“As provincial leaders in micro-credentials, this funding will further enhance Lambton College’s development in the areas of staff training and skill enhancement in long-term care facilities,” said Rob Kardas, President & CEO, Lambton College. “Providing students and life-long learners with nimble and comprehensive access to education serves our community, employment partners, and future workforce.”
Since 2021, the Ontario government has supported the development of up to 250 new micro-credentials at colleges, universities, Indigenous Institutes and private career colleges through the Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund. Designed in partnership with industry, employers and other organizations, these micro-credentials are responding to regional labour market needs, while increasing collaboration between the private and public sectors.
Institutions that demonstrated success in enhancing community partnerships, driving economic recovery and increasing job growth with their micro-credentials were eligible for additional funding through the Community Impact Award to support expansion of the micro-credentials they developed through the Challenge Fund.
QUICK FACTS
- Micro-credentials are rapid training programs that help people retrain and upgrade their skills to find new employment. Alongside degrees, diplomas and certificates, micro-credentials offer a new postsecondary option for learners. Offered by public and private colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes, micro-credentials are short in duration, are often online and can be designed for the specific needs of employers and jobs.
- Since 2020, the Ontario government has announced over $60 million towards Ontario’s first micro-credentials strategy.
- In 2021, Ontario became the first jurisdiction in Canada to offer student financial assistance for micro-credentials. More than 1,500 micro-credentials are now approved for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), with more being approved on a regular basis.
- Ontario’s micro-credentials portal makes it easier to explore hundreds of rapid training opportunities in one place, allowing users to search by industry, area of focus, institution and other criteria.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Learn more about our plan for micro-credentials.
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Media Contacts:
Bob Bailey, MPP
bob.bailey@pc.ola.org
519-337-0051