ONCAT advances learner mobility and helps protect Ontario by making it easier for learners to earn postsecondary credentials and transition to the labour market

Investment will help Ontario’s postsecondary institutions empower learners to pivot in different directions and accelerate their transitions to new careers

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2026 – 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, including York University.

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.

“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,” says 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 postsecondary education pathways that get them into the workforce faster and drive Ontario’s key sectors.”

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,” says 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,” says 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,” adds Lesley Rigg, President and Vice Chancellor of Brock University and co-chair of ONCAT’s Board of Directors.

ONCAT-funded projects showcase innovative approaches to enhancing learner mobility across Ontario’s postsecondary sector. In 2025–26, ONCAT awarded funding to 27 institutional projects, including York University.

York is lead on the project Removing Barriers to Admission and Expanding Transfer Opportunities to improve learner mobility by converting admission pre-requisites into co-requisites for courses required by numerous in-demand programs. This project will not only remove barriers to admission for qualified applicants but also create more flexible scheduling options for transfer students. 

York is also partnering with Queen's University on two projects:

Building a Multi-University Network for Course Sharing to build a network of language courses across a group of Ontario universities. By harmonizing academic content and streamlining enrolment processes, learners across the province can access a wide range of courses that seamlessly transfer to their home institution. 

Bridging Pathways Between Engineering Technology and Accredited Engineering Programs to pilot new bridging pathways between engineering technology and accredited engineering programs. By collaborating with multiple institutions and developing a framework to monitor student outcomes, this project will increase the number of dual-qualified engineering graduates in high-demand fields. 

For a complete overview of 2024-25 ONCAT-funded institutional projects, visit oncat.ca.