Ontario is investing $32 million to add 1,971 seats at Humber Polytechnic, expanding training capacity in health care, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and skilled trades as the province seeks to address workforce shortages in high-demand sectors.
The funding is part of a broader $1.7 billion provincial investment supporting more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats across Ontario. The new Humber seats will be available for student enrolment beginning as early as the fall 2026 academic year.
Humber Polytechnic to Add 1,971 Seats
The new allocation includes 1,187 seats in health care programs, 428 in STEM programs and 356 in trades programs.
The provincial government said the expansion is intended to give more students access to training linked to areas of strong labour demand while helping employers develop a larger pipeline of skilled workers.
“As part of our plan to build a stronger, more competitive and more self-reliant Ontario economy, we’re investing record amounts to train students for good-paying careers in high-demand fields,” said Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. “At Humber Polytechnic, we’re adding nearly 2,000 additional seats in health care, STEM and skilled trades programs to build a workforce that’s ready for the future and makes our province more competitive.”
The Humber funding forms part of Ontario’s wider $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector. That package includes $1.7 billion dedicated to more than 70,000 additional seats in high-demand programs at publicly assisted colleges and universities.
Province Targets High-Demand Workforce Needs
Ontario initially allocated 30,000 of the new seats in May before launching a call for proposals covering the remaining 40,000.
Colleges and universities were asked to develop Priority Growth Plans reflecting institutional strengths, regional economic conditions, student demand and local labour market requirements.
According to the province, proposals were evaluated based on institutional capacity, industry needs and demand from students. The government also received more than 1,000 letters from employers supporting expanded enrolment in high-demand programs at local institutions.
“Our province’s greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce — and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province.”
Humber Focuses on Health Care, STEM and Skilled Trades
Humber Polytechnic said the additional capacity will help the institution respond to changing labour market requirements while strengthening connections among education, industry and economic development.
“This investment will help Ontario meet current and future workforce needs by expanding access to education in high-demand fields. At Humber Polytechnic, our work is focused on advancing productivity, responding to labour market demands and executing a forward-looking vision that prepares learners and industry for the future,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, Humber Polytechnic. “Together with our industry, government and community partners, we are strengthening the talent pipeline and building the innovation capacity Ontario needs to compete and thrive.”
The province has identified health care, STEM, skilled trades and education as priority areas because of employment demand and their importance to key parts of Ontario’s economy.
Postsecondary Funding Model Expands
The seat expansion comes alongside broader changes to provincial postsecondary funding. Ontario’s new $6.4 billion funding model is expected to raise annual operating funding for colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes to $7 billion, representing a 30 per cent increase.
The package also includes $57 million for Indigenous Institutes, including $33 million intended to support up to 780 additional seats in high-demand programs.
Ontario previously invested nearly $1 billion through Budget 2025 to support more than 100,000 additional seats in areas including teaching, nursing, STEM and skilled trades.
Business groups have also highlighted the need for additional workers in sectors facing skills shortages.
“At the Ontario Chamber, we hear every day from businesses facing skills shortages. Strengthening Ontario’s talent pipeline is critical to our competitiveness and today’s investment will help ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow.”
- Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Humber expansion is expected to increase access to career-focused education for students in Toronto while adding graduates to sectors where Ontario employers are seeking skilled workers.