Investment will help veterans turn military experience into college and university credits

The Ontario government is investing $575,000 to help Canadian Armed Forces members turn the skills they developed during their service into the postsecondary credits they need to land in-demand jobs.

This investment will make it easier and faster for veterans and other military-connected learners to transition to civilian life, while building on the province’s historic measures and investments to build a strong, resilient workforce that can support the most competitive economy in the G7.

“Our government will always stand up for those who have put their lives on the line to protect Ontario,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “By recognizing the valuable skills veterans have gained through their service, we’re helping them enter rewarding and in-demand careers faster while strengthening Ontario’s highly skilled workforce.”

Through this investment, the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) has launched Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) projects at six publicly funded colleges and universities across Ontario, including: Fanshawe College, Georgian College, Canadore College, Lakehead University, the University of Waterloo and the University of Windsor.

These projects include:

• Recognizing the skills and experiences gained from the Canadian Armed Forces as credits toward a university-level Bachelor of Engineering.
• Developing Al-powered tools to automate and speed up prior learning assessment and recognition processes for military-connected learners.
• Creating a new platform to help postsecondary administrators identify course equivalencies based on military records.
• Creating a course credit bank that allows veterans to quickly identify options for accessing postsecondary programs.
• Standardizing the prior learning assessment and recognition of military training and experience.

“As we commemorate Veterans’ Week, our government is undertaking meaningful action to help support our veterans as they transition to civilian life,” said Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “This investment will ensure the skills obtained from those who have served are recognized by postsecondary institutions and used to fuel their future careers.”

The Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium is also receiving funding to identify and develop best practices for the recognition of Canadian Armed Forces training within the Ontario postsecondary system.

“Military-connected learners enrich classrooms and campuses with their insightful perspectives, diverse experiences and tremendous work ethic,” said Dr. Adrienne Galway, President and CEO, Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT).

“ONCAT is honoured to steward new postsecondary initiatives that recognize the transferability of military training and empower learners to pursue their next education and employment goals.”

“The University of Windsor is proud to be part of this important initiative that honours the experience and expertise of those who have served our country,” said Dr. J.J. McMurtry, University of Windsor President and Vice-Chancellor.

“Building on UWindsor’s recent commitment to support military-connected students and their families, Ontario’s investment will help ensure that the skills and leadership gained through military service are fully recognized on our campus and beyond.”

This Veterans Week, Ontario is proud to honour veterans and their families by helping them find rewarding careers that reflect their skills and dedication.

Recognizing military experience as part of Ontario’s postsecondary system supports the province’s broader strategy to address the need for skilled trades workers for in-demand jobs and deliver on its more than $201 billion plan to build more hospitals, schools, highways and other important infrastructure.
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Quick Facts

• There are over 149,000 Canadian Armed forces veterans residing in Ontario.
• Each year, about 8,000 to 9,000 Canadian Armed Forces members are released from military service.
• The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) puts learners first by making it easier to navigate Ontario’s postsecondary system. ONCAT advances learner mobility and recognition of prior learning through pathway development, funding and research. Funded by the Government of Ontario, ONCAT is helping build a more seamless, student-focused postsecondary system. Learn more at oncat.ca.
• The new Ontario Veterans Award for Community Service Excellence (OVACSE) launched earlier this year to recognize veterans who have made significant contributions to their communities through exceptional community service.