LONDON, Ont. – The Ontario government has announced an investment of $575,000 to help Canadian Armed Forces veterans and military-connected learners convert their service experience into recognized postsecondary credits. The initiative aims to help veterans transition more efficiently into civilian careers while strengthening Ontario’s skilled workforce.
The funding, announced by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, supports new Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) projects across six Ontario colleges and universities. These include Fanshawe College, Georgian College, Canadore College, Lakehead University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Windsor.
“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.”
Converting Service into Education
Through the PLAR projects, veterans and military-connected learners will be able to receive postsecondary credit for training and experience gained during their service. The initiative also introduces several innovative tools to streamline credit recognition, including:
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AI-powered systems to automate and speed up credit evaluations.
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Platforms to help institutions identify course equivalencies based on military records.
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A centralized course credit bank to help veterans easily find pathways into postsecondary programs.
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Standardized processes for recognizing military learning across institutions.
In addition, funding will support the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium, which will identify best practices for recognizing Armed Forces training within Ontario’s education system.
“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.”
Postsecondary Institutions Leading the Way
The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) is spearheading the initiative in partnership with the participating institutions. Dr. Adrienne Galway, ONCAT President and CEO, said the organization is honoured to lead projects that recognize the transferability of military training.
“Military-connected learners enrich classrooms and campuses with their insightful perspectives, diverse experiences and tremendous work ethic,” said Galway. “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.”
At Fanshawe College, President Peter Devlin emphasized the institution’s ongoing commitment to supporting military learners. “As a Military-Connected College, we support Canada’s military members and veterans because it’s a great opportunity to tap into their skills and knowledge while helping them progress in their military careers or make the transition to civilian life,” said Devlin. “The PLAR is an important tool to assess veterans’ military experiences, ensuring their transition to a civilian career is smooth and to provide credit or advanced standing for their previous learning.”
Supporting Veterans and Strengthening the Economy
The investment comes at a time when Ontario is making historic efforts to expand its skilled workforce and build the most competitive economy in the G7. By recognizing the educational value of military training, the province aims to accelerate veterans’ entry into fields such as engineering, technology, and skilled trades—sectors experiencing labour shortages across the province.
“Ontario’s universities are proud to support veterans and military-connected learners as they transition to new careers and opportunities through higher education,” said Steve Orsini, President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities. “By recognizing the skills and experience gained through military service, this initiative will help open new academic and career pathways to postsecondary.”
Maureen Adamson, President and CEO of Colleges Ontario, called the project a milestone in supporting military-connected campuses: “It builds on the long-standing partnerships between colleges and the Canadian Armed Forces to support military members through career development and occupational training.”
A Province-Wide Collaborative Effort
Educational leaders from across Ontario’s postsecondary sector echoed the importance of the initiative.
Kevin Weaver, President of Georgian College, said the partnership “recognizes the incredible experience and leadership these individuals bring to our classrooms and communities.”
George Burton, President and CEO of Canadore College, praised the collaboration with 22 Wing Canadian Forces Base North Bay, saying it exemplifies “the highest standards of service that will transfer to civilian careers.”
Dr. Gillian Siddall, President of Lakehead University, added, “We are grateful to the Ontario government for its leadership in honouring veterans by supporting pathways that value military experience as academic achievement.”
At the University of Waterloo, President Vivek Goel noted that new pathways will “allow veterans, reservists, and other military-connected learners to achieve their goals of becoming engineers through recognition of their experience and leadership training.”
Similarly, Dr. J.J. McMurtry, President of the University of Windsor, said, “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.”
Honouring Service Through Opportunity
There are more than 149,000 veterans residing in Ontario, with 8,000 to 9,000 Canadian Armed Forces members transitioning out of service each year. By recognizing their contributions and translating their experience into educational credentials, Ontario hopes to empower veterans to pursue fulfilling civilian careers.
“This Veterans Week, Ontario is proud to honour veterans and their families by helping them find rewarding careers that reflect their skills and dedication,” the Ministry said in a statement. “Recognizing military experience as part of Ontario’s postsecondary system supports the province’s broader strategy to address the need for skilled trades workers and to deliver on its plan to build hospitals, schools, highways, and infrastructure across the province.”
