Erin DeCoste
News Reporter

As enrolment levels increase in colleges across Ontario, Humber has taken the lead.

“In ministry funded programs for this year we have 15,900 students up from 14,953 last year,” said Patricia Van Horne, Associate Registrar at Humber. “That is an increase of six per cent, which is remarkable for us.”

Linda Franklin of Colleges Ontario has also noticed the soaring numbers in enrolment.

The president and CEO of the advocacy group for the province’s 24 colleges said this reflects a trend that is historically seen during a recession.

“I think students recognize the value of education, especially in these economic times,” said Franklin. “Students are more focused on getting a job.”

Winter enrolment is up 10 per cent, with about 12 per cent of applicants not applying directly from high school, she said.

Many students are out of province, transfer, or mature students, like 32-year-old law clerk student Lilian
Da Silva.

“Before I came to Humber I was working in a retail store,” she said.

Da Silva, who is in her final semester of the two-year program, grew up in Brazil where she had already received a lot of education in her field.

“I wanted to do something related,” she said. “Humber helps you get a job. It caught my attention.”

And the boost in college applications is expected to continue.

“For fall 2009 we are looking to grow, we’re always looking to grow,” said Van Horne. “I would say that we
are looking for at least a three per cent increase.”

With the job market softening and more workers looking to improve their skills, post-secondary institutions are forecasting increased numbers across Ontario.

“The opportunity cost is low,” said Paul Genest, president of the Council of Ontario Universities. “By going to school, students are less likely to miss out on high paying job opportunities because there just isn’t much out there.”