Enrolment for the 2009/2010 academic year at Loyalist College continues to rise with an increase of 19.7 percent in full-time first-year students. These numbers include students coming directly from high school, mature students and those funded through government-sponsored programs including Second Career, for which there are over 400 students at various points within the approval and program of study process. To date, overall enrolment has seen an increase of 287 students, which represents a ten percent increase over last year. The College continues to register returning students.
Loyalist President Maureen Piercy attributes part of this increase to the growing awareness of the enhanced career opportunities available to college graduates. “Recent data indicate that 90.8 percent of Loyalist graduates are employed within six months of graduation. During these challenging economic times, students are now, perhaps more than ever, researching their post-secondary options and carefully evaluating the employment opportunities that will follow graduation. The Conference Board of Canada estimates that Ontario will have a shortage of more than 360,000 skilled employees by the year 2025. College students are strategically preparing themselves to meet these demands.”
“Loyalist’s comprehensive student services and learning support systems provide a proactive environment which is dedicated to student success,” said George Burton, Vice-President, Enrolment Management and Student Services. “Each student has a Success Mentor they can turn to for guidance, who will assist them in finding the services within the College that will help them resolve concerns or strengthen skills that will improve their post-secondary experience. We form a partnership with our students, striving to ensure each student is afforded the best possible chance of success in their program.”
“At Loyalist, we are very proud of the outstanding quality of our faculty, staff and programs, which prepare students well for the workforce,” President Piercy added.
This is the third consecutive year that Ontario’s colleges have seen a significant increase in first-year full-time enrolment. More than 102,000 students are confirmed in first-year full-time programs at the province’s 24 public colleges.
Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332 or George Burton, Vice-President, Enrolment Management and Student Services, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2355.