Ontario Funding More Than 1,500 More Seats at Trent University to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

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PETERBOROUGH - The Ontario government has invested $38 million to fund 1,504 additional seats at Trent University to connect more students to good-paying, in-demand careers. This allocation, which is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seats, supports the province's plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive economy by continuing to develop a world-class workforce. The high-demand areas that are receiving additional seats at Trent University include programs in STEM, health and trades, with seats available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.

"Our province's greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce - and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province."

This investment is part of the government's historic $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector, which includes $1.7 billion to fund a total of more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats in high-demand sectors at publicly assisted colleges and universities. This seat expansion is the largest postsecondary seat expansion in more than a decade and is aimed at helping the province stand up to tariffs and economic uncertainty by building a highly skilled workforce to support the most competitive economy in the G7.

The allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced in May 2026, at which time a call for proposals was launched for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities and industries to identify programs that will prepare students for in-demand jobs and meet regional labour market needs. Ontario evaluated proposals based on institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand to ensure the greatest impact on workforce development and economic growth.

The 1,504 newly funded seats at Trent University include:

• 1,081 seats for STEM programs
• 163 seats for education programs
• 126 seats for health programs
• 134 seats in other labour-market driven programs

"Trent University welcomes the Priority Growth Fund announcement and the Ontario government's commitment to expanding access to university education," said Dr. Cathy Bruce, President and Vice-Chancellor, Trent University. "The Priority Growth Fund aligns closely with areas of strength and growing momentum at Trent. As a regionally responsive university, we are committed to preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to their communities, workplaces, and Ontario's future economy. Thank you, Premier Ford, Minister Nolan Quinn, Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, and MPP Dave Smith for your continued support of Ontario's universities and the communities we serve."

This expansion at Trent University will ensure students in Peterborough can access the education they need to launch rewarding, in-demand careers, while ensuring Ontario's world-class institutions can continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come.

Quick Facts

Quotes

"At the Ontario Chamber, we hear every day from businesses facing skills shortages. Strengthening Ontario's talent pipeline is critical to our competitiveness and today's investment will help ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow."

- Daniel Tisch
President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

"This historic investment in Trent University is a huge win for Peterborough-Kawartha and an anchor for our region's economy. By adding more than 1,500 seats in critical fields like STEM, health, and education, we are ensuring our local students can get a world-class education in their own backyard while building a direct pipeline of skilled talent that local employers and industries need to grow right here at home."

- Dave Smith
MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha

"This $38 million investment in Trent University will give more local students the opportunity to pursue their education close to home and prepare for good-paying, in-demand careers. With 1,504 new seats in areas like STEM, health and the trades, we're creating more opportunities for students while building the skilled workforce Ontario needs."

- Laurie Scott
MPP Haliburton - Kawartha Lakes - Brock

"Northumberland-Peterborough South is home to talented students, innovative employers, and a growing need for skilled workers. This investment in Trent University will give more students in our community the opportunity to access in-demand programs and build the skills they need to pursue good-paying careers close to home."

- David Piccini
MPP, Northumberland-Peterborough South

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