BRANTFORD, ON, Mar. 19, 2020 – Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak and its potential effects on students and staff, Career Colleges Ontario is encouraging all members to apply to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ recent initiative to temporarily permit career colleges to provide online classes on a case-by-case basis. While career colleges are otherwise ineligible to offer online training, this initiative will allow students to continue their training while following the recommendations of healthcare professionals.
As the voice of the sector, we share our members’ concerns and desire to find assurance and safeguards for their students during this time. Ensuring the health and well-being of staff and students at career colleges remains our priority.
For several years, CCO has been consistently calling for the ministry to allow career colleges to offer online classes. On Friday, March 13, MCU responded to the career college sector’s call to protect students by temporarily lifting its ban on private colleges offering online classes. Members must apply to MCU for temporary online learning approval as was outlined in CCO’s email update to members on March 13. Applications to offer online classes to students must follow the ministry’s expressed requirements and be accompanied with a letter of approval from the program’s third-party accrediting body.
The MCU has also notified career colleges that they may choose to close their doors in absence of classes, provided the college notifies the ministry in advance and outlines the duration of the closure. Students would receive no training during this time.
We understand that approximately 65 colleges received approval as of Thursday, March 19 for online delivery, and approximately 80 have applied at this time. We have encouraged MCU to streamline this process where possible to ensure student safety and avoid disruptions.
In light of the current situation, we encourage members to apply to MCU for temporary online learning approval.
Flattening the curve of coronavirus outbreaks in Canada demands a collective effort from all Ontarians in order to protect our communities and vulnerable persons.
There are approximately 650 career college campuses providing local training to approximately 45,000 students in more than 80 Ontario communities. As a sector, our commitment is to provide students with the training and protections the world expects from Canada’s first-rate higher education system.
Career Colleges Ontario (CCO) is a not-for-profit association that was established in 1973 to advocate on behalf of career colleges in the province of Ontario. The association’s purpose is to help governments, key decision makers and the public understand the critical role its members and their students play in supporting Ontario’s post-secondary education system and improving the province’s economic well-being. CCO’s members contribute to Ontario’s economy by providing highly qualified graduates in hundreds of essential, skilled fields such as Applied Arts, Business, Healthcare, Human Services, Information Technology, Services and Trades.
For further information, please contact:
Dyson Wells
Marketing and Communications Officer
dysonwells@careercollegesontario.ca
(519) 752-2124 Ext.115
DISCLAIMER: CCO is not providing healthcare advice. We are not holding ourselves out to be or representing ourselves as persons who may provide healthcare services. Readers are urged to consult their own professional advisors for further confirmation and further information.
Career Colleges Ontario (CCO) represents a vast network of over 280 regulated career college campuses across Ontario. These colleges have been integral to Ontario’s post-secondary […]
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