Sheridan Praises 2010 Budget for Commitment to Postsecondary Education

The Ontario Government’s 2010 Budget has been warmly received at Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.

For Immediate Release: March 26, 2010
Oakville, Ontario

The Ontario Government’s 2010 Budget has been warmly received at Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. “We applaud the Government for its continued commitment to post-secondary education,” said Jeff Zabudsky, Sheridan’s President and CEO. “The Government’s goal of increasing post-secondary attainment to 70 per cent reflects the new demands of a skills-based economy, and will ensure that more Ontarians will be successful in the changing job market.”

Funding announcements that affect Sheridan and other colleges include $310 million for new spaces and enrolment across the post-secondary system, expected to result in the addition of 20,000 student spaces. Sheridan, which serves the fast-growing regions of Halton and Peel, is currently building a new Mississauga Campus, scheduled to open in Fall 2011, to help meet the increased enrolment demand while also serving the strategic needs of the Mississauga community.

The Budget also extends the Second Career program over the next two years, providing for 30,000 new spaces for laid-off workers seeking to re-tool and re-train. Sheridan has enrolled over 300 Second Career students to date, and looks forward to continuing to prepare these students for new career opportunities.

As well, Dr. Zabudsky noted that additional resources have been promised to support the implementation of a credit transfer system for the province. “Providing students with a transparent, province-wide system of transferring credits between postsecondary institutions will save money, time and will get skilled graduates into the workforce faster.”

About Sheridan:

The Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning aims to provide students of all ages with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We serve 16,000 full-time and 35,000 continuing education students at our campuses in Oakville and Brampton, with a new campus slated to open in Mississauga in 2011. Sheridan offers an innovative learning environment celebrated for academic excellence, applied research and creativity. Program options range from one-year certificates to four-year Bachelor’s degrees, in the arts, business, community service and technology fields. We prepare students for career success; 88 percent of graduates are employed within six months of graduation.