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Published Results-Based Plan 2009/10

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Table of Contents

Part 1: Published Results-based Plan 2009-10

• Ministry Overview
• Ministry Organizational Chart
• Legislation
• Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)
• Ministry Financial Information
• 2009-10 Ministry Planned Expenditures
• Operating and Capital Summary by Vote

Appendix 1

• 2008-09 Annual Report
• 2008-09 Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures

Previous Plans and Annual Reports

• Published Results-Based Plan 2008/09
• Published Results-Based Plan 2007/08
• Published Results-Based Plan 2006/07
• 2002-2003/2003-2004

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ISSN # 1718-7109

Ministry Overview

Vision

The ministry’s vision is that Ontario has the most educated people and highly skilled workforce in the world in order to build the province’s competitive advantage and quality of life. 

Mandate

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (TCU) directs and shapes Ontario’s postsecondary education, employment and training systems. It provides operating and capital funding to publicly assisted colleges and universities, establishes provincial objectives for the use of public funds and designs frameworks for achieving these objectives.

The ministry ensures high quality postsecondary education is accessible to all qualified candidates through tuition regulation, student assistance, targeted funding and accountability mechanisms.

In the area of employment and training, the ministry develops policy directions for adult education and labour market training, sets standards for occupational training such as trade certification and apprenticeships, manages provincial services and programs for employment training and preparation including adult literacy and basic skills, and undertakes labour market research and planning.

Ministry Priorities, Results And Strategies

Ontario’s edge – its competitive edge – is its people. The province is at its best when people have opportunities and tools to reach their full potential.

In today’s knowledge-based economy, education and skills are essential to individual success and are the cornerstones for the future growth and prosperity of the province.

The government’s goal is to make Ontario more competitive so we will be prepared to compete economically when the current global economic challenges settle. We plan to create jobs now and position Ontario for growth in the future. The result will be a stronger economy that will spur job growth and a green economy as we come out of the global recession.

Our role at TCU is to invest in the skills and higher education of Ontarians so they have real opportunities for success.  We do this through two key initiatives:  Employment Ontario and Reaching Higher in Postsecondary Education.

Employment Ontario and Reaching Higher are the operational delivery mechanisms that support the implementation of the ministry’s longer-term policy and operational plans.

These plans include investing in the longer-term knowledge and skills needs of the Ontario economy. This will involve ensuring that our postsecondary education system is responsive, flexible and able to accommodate future demands and by continuing to transform Employment Ontario to remove barriers to training and strengthen the links between training and employment.

Employment Ontario and Reaching Higher are closely intertwined and designed to work together to ensure future generations can enjoy the benefits of living in an Ontario that has the most educated people and highly skilled labour force in the world.

Employment Ontario

Employment Ontario provides opportunities for young people, job seekers, newcomers and employers to play their part in Ontario’s knowledge-based economy. 

Launched in November 2006, today Employment Ontario provides an integrated network of training and employment services to more than 900,000 clients.

Reaching Higher in Postsecondary Education

Reaching Higher is an action plan to create a postsecondary education system that is accessible, relevant and in tune with the needs of students and opportunities in the evolving economy.

Since its unveiling in the 2005 Ontario Budget, Reaching Higher activities have brought significant gains to Ontario’s postsecondary system. 2009-10 is the final year of the multi-year funding under this plan.

Ministry Activities

Activities that support the goals of Employment Ontario and Reaching Higher in Postsecondary Education and help to keep Ontario competitive in the changing economy include:

• Supporting and funding increased numbers of students to attend Ontario’s publicly funded universities and colleges. 
• Expanding the number of new apprentice registrations from 26,000 today to 32,500 annually two years from now.
• Bringing job seekers and employers together through investments in Ontario Employment Assistance Services.
• Improving literacy and basic skills, which has resulted in seven out of 10 learners going on to further education and employment.
• Providing people from under-represented groups, including Aboriginal peoples, people with disabilities and new immigrants, with increased opportunities for the training they need to get meaningful employment.
• Investing in student aid to make postsecondary education more affordable for low- and middle-income families and to make postsecondary education more accessible. 
• Improving the quality of postsecondary education by increasing operating grants to colleges and universities to hire more staff and faculty, buy education resources and technology and improve student support services; directing new funding to small, northern and rural colleges; expanding graduate education; and by providing capital funding to renew and expand college and university facilities, to buy new equipment and to invest in innovative research and design technology. 

Contributions to priorities and results

Through Employment Ontario, employees, job seekers, young people, newcomers, people with disabilities and others are more easily connected to the training they need to either enter the labour force or to advance in their careers.

By removing barriers to training and strengthening the links between training and employment, Employment Ontario is making a significant contribution to Ontario’s ability to remain competitive in the global economy.  For example in 2008-09:

• We began to implement the three-year $2-billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan announced in the 2008 Ontario Budget. The goal is to have the greatest number of people working in the jobs that will strengthen Ontario’s competitive advantage.  
• Through Second Career, we are helping unemployed workers make the transition to new careers through training courses, income supports and career planning. As of March 31, more than 8,000 laid-off workers were involved in the program, above the target for the first year of the three-year program.
• We have 120,000 apprentices learning a trade today – which is nearly 60,000 more than in 2002-03.
• Eighty per cent of Job Connect clients obtained employment or went on to further education or training.
• Seventy per cent of literacy program clients obtained employment or went on to further education or training.
• Approximately 900,000 Ontarians benefited from the training, employment and referral services provided by Employment Ontario.
• We provided an immediate and appropriate response to large-scale layoffs through the Rapid Re-employment and Training Service (RRTS). Over 82,000 individuals have been offered assistance under the RRTS program, including responses to more than 450 announced layoffs.

In 2009-10, the ministry will:

• Continue to strengthen Employment Ontario to create a comprehensive and integrated service delivery network that is shaped and driven by the needs of job seekers, employers and communities.
• Invest new funding from the 2009 Budget in new skills training and literacy initiatives and enhancements to existing programs.  This funding will be used to:
• expand support for newcomers, serving 15,000 more clients each year;
• expand literacy and basic skills training, helping up to 13,000 more Ontarians each year;
• develop the Green Jobs Skills Strategy that responds to labour demand in the emerging green energy sector; and
• increase spending on summer employment opportunities for youth in 2009.
• Continue to build on investments to expand the number of new apprentice registrations including investments through the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund to buy state-of-the-art equipment that is essential for training tomorrow’s skilled workers. 
• Continue to provide immediate and appropriate response to large-scale layoffs through the Rapid Re-employment and Training Service, to help displaced workers and affected communities get back on their feet as soon as possible.
• Introduce legislation that, if passed, would establish a new Ontario College of Trades to promote careers in skilled trades while ensuring Ontario’s skilled trades system meets the growing needs of the economy.  The college will be an arm’s length organization.

Under Reaching Higher, the ministry has made significant strides forward in improving postsecondary education including:

• We have improved access with an increase of almost 25 per cent more students attending postsecondary education compared to six years ago. With 100,000 more students now enrolled we far surpassed the projections made in 2005.
• 168,000 students are benefiting each year from enhancements to financial  assistance that have been introduced through the Reaching Higher Plan.  
• Through a $31-million investment in 2008-09, we’ve been able to help more Aboriginal students, first generation students, students with disabilities and francophones attend postsecondary education.  The ministry has also announced new supports for Crown Ward students, including expanding Crown Ward Education Championship teams into three new communities.  These teams provide support to help these students to go on to postsecondary education and succeed.
• We have increased graduate enrolments by almost 12,000 spaces and we will be investing an additional $51.6 million to create 3,300 more graduate spaces by 2011-12
• We have also invested a further $10 million, in addition to $132.5 million provided since 2005, to support innovation in Ontario's knowledge-based economy by expanding graduate fellowships to assist students pursuing higher levels of education.
• We have created 160 first-year undergraduate medical spaces between 2005 and 2008, an increase of 23 per cent over 2004-05. As part of this expansion, the first class of medical students will graduate from the Northern School of Medicine this year.
• As of 2008-09, operating grants to colleges and universities have increased by $1.7 billion or 63 per cent since 2002-03.
• More access to postsecondary opportunities and improvements to students’ learning experiences have led to higher rates of student success at colleges and universities.
• The degree completion rate for university students has increased to 77% - up from 74% in 2002-03;
• The college graduation rate has increased to 65% - up from 57% in 2002-03;
• New baseline information on student retention shows that 87% of first year university students in a given fall term return the following year.
• We are delivering the quality of education to equip graduates with the right skills and knowledge for a sustainable economy – now and in the future:
• 89% of college graduates and 94% of university graduates were employed within six months after graduating;
• Two years later, 97% of university graduates were employed and 84% were employed in careers related to their program of study;
• 88% of college students are satisfied that their current studies are preparing them with the knowledge and skills that will be useful in their future careers.
• Through investments made as part of the $2-billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan announced in the 2008 Ontario Budget, the ministry will continue to help upgrade and build new places where students can learn through:
• Investing $190 million over three years in new and expanded skills training centres and facilities under the Strategic Skills Training Capital Investments program;
• Investing $60 million over three years for the College Equipment and Renewal Fund.

Going forward in 2009-10, the ministry will:

• Continue to focus on student access and student excellence and build on the significant improvements achieved.
• Help to modernize facilities in Ontario colleges and universities and boost the province's long-term research and skills training capacity by investing $780 million in new capital funding to be matched by the federal government. 
• Improve our medical schools by providing $35 million over three years in capital funding that will pave the way for an expansion of 100 additional first year medical school spaces, representing a 38 per cent increase since 2004-05.
• Invest approximately $150M over 2008-09 for additional operating grants to colleges and universities.
• Work with other ministries and stakeholders to take a long-term view of the province’s knowledge and skills requirement. This will ensure that demands of the economy are met and that individuals get the education and training they need over their lifetime for successful careers in Ontario’s knowledge-based economy.
• In January, the Canadian Premiers endorsed amendments to the Agreement on Internal Trade to enhance labour mobility between the provinces.  The ministry has the lead to implement this initiative in Ontario and plans to introduce legislation to support full labour mobility.  If passed, this means that by August 2009, Ontario will eliminate barriers that prevent workers certified for their occupation in other provinces from being certified to work in this province.

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Ministry Contribution To Priorities And Results

Performance Measures

Reaching Higher

• Increase enrolment in postsecondary education by 102,000 additional full-time students by 2009-10 compared to 2002-03.
• 15,000 additional graduate student spaces by 2011-12 compared to 2002-03.

Employment Ontario

• 80% of Job Connect program clients will obtain employment or go on to further their education or training.  The Ministry has exceeded this baseline set in 2001 by 3-5 % since 2006-07.
• 70% of Literacy and Basic Skills program clients will obtain employment or go on to further education or training compared to 55% in 2000-01.
• Register 28,000 new apprenticeships annually in 2009-10 compared to 19,000 new apprenticeships in 2004-05.

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Ministry Organization Chart (PDF, 45 KB)

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Consolidated Legislation

Acts

Algoma University Act, 2008, S.O. 2008, c.13
Establishes university with special mission to be teaching oriented and to cultivate cross cultural learning between aboriginal and other communities.  Full degree granting authority to come into effect on date determined by proclamation. 

Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c.22, as amended
Establishes framework for apprenticeship training programs in non construction industry trades and certification of apprentices and journeypersons.

Part VII of the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, R.S.O. 1990. c.C. 15, as amended
[Note:  Remainder of Act repealed October 8, 2008]
Part VII sets out composition and duties of College Relations Commission.

Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, 2008, S.O. 2008, c.15
Establishes provincial collective bargaining regime for full and part-time academic and support staff at colleges of applied arts and technology.

Higher Education Quality Council Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.28, Sched G
Establishes advisory council to advise Minister on improving quality in postsecondary education sector.

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M.19, as amended
Establishes Ministry and Minister’s general authority and oversight role, and gives authority for student loans and grants.           

Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. F, as amended
Sets out legislative scheme governing colleges of applied arts of technology, including their mandate and objects and status as Crown agencies and the Minister’s authority to issue directives and intervene in their affairs in specified circumstances.

Ontario College of  Art & Design Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. E, as amended
Establishes institution and authorizes it to grant Bachelor and Masters degrees of Fine Arts and Design and Masters of Arts

Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 36, as amended
Prohibits persons offering degrees or holding themselves out as universities without the authority of an Act of the Legislature or the consent of the Minister.  Establishes Post-secondary Education Quality Assessment Board to advise Minister on applications for consent.

Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 28, Schedule L
Comprehensive consumer protection legislation requiring the registration of private institutions offering vocational programs and governing the conditions of registration.

Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.T.17, as amended
Establishes framework for apprenticeship training programs in construction industry and certification of apprentices and journeypersons.

University Expropriation Powers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. U.3, as amended
Identifies universities which may expropriate property and provides that expropriations conducted in accordance with Expropriations Act.

University Foundations Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c.22, as amended
Establishes foundations for certain named universities.  Each foundation is a Crown agency and the members are appointed by the LGIC.

University of Ontario Institute of Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. O, as amended
Establishes institution and grants general degree granting authority

Note:

1. The list does not include unconsolidated university Acts and private Acts, which may be relevant to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; nor does it include Acts that are purely amending Acts.

April 2009

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Ministry Financial Information

2009-10 Ministry Planned Expenditures ($M)

Operating	6,328.0
Capital	247.9
TOTAL	6,575.9

Note: Total amount includes Statutory Appropriations and consolidations.  Operating Assets not included.

 

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Operating and Capital Summary by Vote

Note: The 2008-09 Estimates and 2007-08 Actuals have been restated to reflect organizational changes.

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Appendix

2008-09 Annual Report

Overview

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (TCU) supports the government’s commitment to strengthen the knowledge and skills of Ontario’s labour force so that the province will remain competitive in the global knowledge-based economy through two key initiatives. 

In 2008-09, TCU continued to deliver the multi-year $6.2 billion Reaching Higher plan. Through Reaching Higher, the ministry is expanding and transforming postsecondary education in Ontario to create an accessible, high quality and accountable system that is relevant and responsive to the needs of students.
 
The ministry also continued to integrate employment and training support programs and services under Employment Ontario.  The government invests over $1 billion annually in Employment Ontario, which serves more than 900,000 people.

Working with other ministries and stakeholders will continue to be a priority for the ministry to ensure the government maintains a long-term view of the province’s knowledge and skills requirements.  This integrated approach is critical as we look at Ontario’s education and workforce needs and determine the best way to respond to the needs of all Ontarians.

Our goal is to ensure that the demands of the economy are met and that individuals get the education and training they need over their lifetime for successful careers in jobs that matter.

Key Initiatives and Results

Employment Ontario

As part of the $2 billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan, the ministry:

• Committed $355 million over three years toward Second Career to give 20,000 laid-off workers the assistance they need through skills training courses, needs-based income supports and career planning services.
• Provided an immediate and appropriate response to large-scale layoffs through the Rapid Re-employment and Training Service (RRTS). Over 82,000 individuals have been offered assistance under the RRTS program, including responses to more than 450 announced layoffs.
• Committed $55 million over three years through the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund and Ontario Skills Training Enhancement Program to Colleges and Training Centres for infrastructure, equipment modernization, and facilities updating to create greater training and skills upgrading capacity in Ontario.
• Announced the expansion and building of new training facilities across Ontario that will allow over 13,000 new students and apprentices to be trained every year. In the short term, Ontario’s investment will help create about 3,200 new jobs in local communities to complete the construction and renovation projects.
• Continued to expand the number of apprentices in Ontario to ensure that the province has the skilled labour necessary to support growth and attract investment. 
• Increased support to the Co-op Diploma, Pre-apprenticeship, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship programs.
• Increased the apprenticeship per diems by two per cent.
• Increased support for apprentices with disabilities.   

In addition, the ministry announced that the government will be taking steps to establish a College of Trades to modernize and build the profile of the skilled trades in Ontario.

Reaching Higher in Postsecondary Education

Through the $6.2 billion Reaching Higher plan, the government set out goals of improved access and quality in postsecondary education and ensuring that institutions would be held accountable for accomplishing these objectives. This multi-year investment recognizes the role of postsecondary education in strengthening Ontario’s competitive advantage, economic growth, and building a higher standard of living. We have already achieved significant results under this plan and other initiatives.

Improving Access

• The government has committed an additional $970 million to build places where students learn. This year the investments included:
• $289 million for 22 major capital projects at universities across the Province;
• $190 million for 12 capital projects related to skills training at Ontario colleges;
• $200 million through a new Campus Renewal Program for colleges and universities to undertake energy efficiency projects; campus safety and security initiatives; and to renew existing infrastructure on their campuses;
• an additional $200 million for maintenance and renewal of university facilities; and
• $60 million over three years to help colleges acquire new instructional equipment through the College Equipment Renewal Fund.
• The government provided $150 million in immediate, one-time support for postsecondary institutions to help alleviate enrolment pressures and support quality and sustainability at colleges and universities. 
• The government invested $10 million to support innovation in Ontario’s knowledge-based economy by expanding graduate fellowships and assisting students pursuing higher levels of education.
• There are about 100,000 more students studying at colleges and universities in Ontario – an increase of 25 per cent over 2002-03 levels.
• First year medical school spaces have increased by 160 new spaces between 2005 and 2008.  In addition the McGuinty government will implement another 100 spaces.  In total, 260 new seats will be created, a 38 per cent increase in first year spaces since 2004-05.
• We are breaking down barriers by supporting access programs and services for Aboriginal students, francophones and students with disabilities.
• The ministry is investing $27 million over three years in university, college and community initiatives to encourage more first generation students to pursue further education.
• The government invested an additional $1 million in Contact North to support their network of distance education and training access centres bridging 90 communities across northern Ontario.  The funding will be used by Contact North to expand and upgrade its videoconferencing network, improve audio quality and increase access to e-learning opportunities in postsecondary education and training.
• Five e-learning centres were opened in eastern and southern Ontario to provide access to college and university programs to up to 400 learners in small and rural communities this year.  Twelve additional centres are expected to open in 2009-10.
• We are providing an additional $465 million to expand postsecondary student aid and programs including:
• Introducing a new Textbook and Technology Grant to help qualified students with the costs of textbooks;
• Introducing a new Distance Grant for qualified students from rural and remote areas to assist with transportation costs.
• 168,000 students are benefiting annually from enhancements to financial assistance programs introduced through the Reaching Higher Plan:
• Providing access grants to students from low and middle-income families including Crown wards;
• Increasing OSAP student loan limits but continuing to limit students’ annual repayable debt to $7,000 per academic year;
• Reducing expected parental contribution for middle-income families;
• Providing relief to students struggling to repay their loans.
• 75,000 students received $127.7 million in institutional aid as part of the Student Access Guarantee partnership with colleges and universities in 2007-08. 

Improving Quality

• Operating grants to colleges and universities have increased by $1.7 billion or almost 63 per cent since 2002-03. A total of $4.42 billion in operating grant funding was allocated to universities and colleges for 2008-09.
• The government allocated $3.11 billion in operating grants to the university sector.  This is a 63 per cent increase over the $1.9 billion in base operating funding provided in 2002-03. 
• University per student funding increased from $6,718 in 2002-03 to $8,548 per full-time equivalent in 2008-09, an increase of 27 per cent.
• The government allocated $1.316 billion in operating grants to the college sector.  This is a 60 per cent increase over 2002-03 college transfer payments of $822.7 million. 
• College per student funding increased from $4,594 in 2002-03 to $6,637 per full-time equivalent in 2008-09, an increase of 44 per cent.
• The ministry provided $90.3 million in targeted funding to small, northern and rural colleges and universities and a $17.7 million operating grant to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in 2008-09.

Improving Accountability

• The ministry is continuing work with colleges and universities to improve quality, accessibility and accountability through multi-year accountability agreements.  The agreements commit postsecondary institutions to specific outcomes to ensure that funding is focused on the government’s key priorities.  The agreements include:
• Commitments from universities and colleges regarding outcomes for quality, access and accountability;
• A three-year funding commitment from government to ensure that institutions have the funding predictability they need to get results.
• The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) released its second annual report. HEQCO is an arm’s-length agency, created by the ministry, that supports research, provides leadership, monitors and reports on accessibility and provides advice on postsecondary system planning and inter-jurisdictional competitiveness.

• In July of 2008, Premiers from across Canada agreed that people working in regulated professions and trades will have full labour mobility across Canada.  The Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) has been amended to allow recognition of occupational certificates between all provinces and territories by August 2009.  The ministry has the lead for implementing labour mobility in Ontario and is working with ministries that oversee regulated occupations and with its own stakeholders.

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2008-09 Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures

	2008-09 Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures ($M)
Operating	5,899.0
Capital	204.4
Staff Strength (as of March 31, 2008)	1,327.0*

Note: Amounts include Statutory Appropriations. Operating Assets and Consolidations not included.
         Number may not add due to rounding.
         *Staff strength includes seasonal staff and students.

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