Ontario needs over 1 million university grads in next decade

Ontario will need more than 1 million university graduates over the next 10 years to meet the economy's demand for highly skilled workers, according to new analysis from the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) that signals an urgent need to expand enrollment in key sectors.

The report identifies the highest demand in science and technology, health care, and business—sectors that require more than 100,000 graduates per year across the board through 2035. "If we don't start investing today, it will take several years for these students to graduate," said COU President and CEO Steve Orsini. "So it's telling us now we need to expand enrollment in those programs."

The analysis comes in the wake of criticism over recent changes to Ontario's OSAP program, which cut the number of grants available to students, sparking speculation that fewer young people will enroll in post-secondary education.

The province says it is responding. Earlier this year, the Ford government announced a new funding model that will bring an additional $6.4 billion into the post-secondary sector, including $1.7 billion to fund 70,000 more seats in in-demand programs like STEM, health care, skilled trades, and teaching. The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant has covered over 13,000 health-care students across the province.

"We're showing a shortfall in those key high-demand areas," Orsini said. "So as the government deliberates where to invest in these spaces for the future, we can show them this will contribute to economic growth."