St. Clair College is one of dozens of post-secondary institutions to receive a provincial investment to help Ontario's colleges empower learners to pivot in different directions and accelerate their transitions to new careers.
Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, announced that the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) is awarding $1.94 million in funding to support 27 projects at publicly assisted postsecondary colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario.
These innovative projects help learners access educational opportunities, earn postsecondary credentials and transition to the labour market. The funding was announced at the 2026 ONCAT Conference: Helping Learners Find Their Way on Feb. 3, 2026.
"In the face of economic uncertainty, our colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes are key to building one of the most innovative workforces in the G7," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "Through our investments into the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), our government is ensuring that future graduates have access to post-secondary education pathways that get them into the workforce faster and drive Ontario's key sectors."
St. Clair College will receive funding for automating workflows for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).
The software leverages integration with the student information system to automate Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition workflows. Through the creation of a central dashboard, the project aims to reduce processing time by 50 per cent, improving student satisfaction and accelerating enrolment decisions. This will ultimately help mature students get back into school – and make it easier for them to gain recognition for what they've already done.
"This ONCAT Capacity Grant represents an important opportunity for St. Clair College to open the door to more efficient and learner focused approaches to recognizing prior learning," said Lindi Prendi, Executive Director, Centre for Academic Excellence, Quality Assurance and Accountability at St. Clair College. "By strengthening our processes, we can create faster, clearer pathways to credential completion and better meet learners where they are. This funding opportunity directly advances St. Clair College's strategic plan and reinforces our vision of 'excellence in all we do.'"
ONCAT-funded projects directly support learner mobility by:
- improving prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) processes that accelerate learners' ability to earn postsecondary credentials and transition to the labour market.
- creating or expanding transfer pathways between institutions, increasing access to programs related to labour market needs for in-demand industries.
- implementing technical upgrades that facilitate transfer and mobility, saving learners time and money.
"ONCAT brings together colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes to drive collaboration and harness efficiencies that make it easier for learners to navigate and succeed in Ontario's postsecondary system," said Adrienne Galway, President and CEO of ONCAT. "These projects will develop effective practices that can be replicated across postsecondary institutions, rapidly expanding the options for learners to earn postsecondary credentials, pivot career directions and transition to the labour market."
"This investment from ONCAT empowers institutions to collaborate and innovate in support of student success," said Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College and co-chair of ONCAT's Board of Directors. "It builds on ONCAT's long-standing role as a convener and sector partner, driving innovation across the postsecondary sector."
"Nearly 40 per cent of Canadians who undertake postsecondary education do not graduate from their first program of study. These ONCAT-funded projects aim to reduce barriers to completion and ensure that learners can achieve their academic and professional goals," added Lesley Rigg, President and Vice Chancellor of Brock University and co-chair of ONCAT's Board of Directors.