Orazietti Announces $ 130,000 in Post-secondary Education in Sault Ste. Marie

For Immediate Release
May 22, 2008

McGuinty Government Helps First Generation Students & Aboriginal Students Succeed

Sault Ste. Marie – The McGuinty Government is investing $130,000 to build opportunities for first generation students and Aboriginal students to succeed at Algoma University College and Sault College, David Orazietti MPP announced today.“A strong investment in today’s students is an investment in the knowledge economy of tomorrow,” said Orazietti.

Ontario is making a $30 million three year investment in first generation initiatives, including bursaries for students in need. First generation students are the first in their family to attend college or university.

The province will invest $70,000 to help Algoma University College give first generation students the support they need. Algoma University College will use this funding to hire first generation students as mentors and provide outreach and support to Aboriginal students from remote and rural communities.

Ontario invested $3.8 million to support a range of initiatives at colleges and universities aimed at building opportunities for Aboriginal students. This project funding is part of a $24 million investment in Aboriginal postsecondary education and training. The province will invest $60,000 to help Sault College give Aboriginal students the support they need. Sault College will use this funding for a voluntary self-identification program for Aboriginal students. The program will help the college get a clear picture of its Aboriginal student body and identify ways to improve services and support.

“When we help students build a future for themselves, we help build Ontario’s future,” said Training, Colleges and Universities Minister John Milloy.

QUICK FACTS

• Seven out of every 10 new jobs created in Ontario over the next decade will require postsecondary education or training.

• About 11,000 Aboriginal students in Ontario are enrolled in postsecondary education

• Students of parents with postsecondary education are two times more likely to go to college or university than students of parents without postsecondary education.

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