The Canadian Federal government announcement regarding the imposition of international student enrollment caps has created a great deal of uncertainty for the Fleming community, students, staff, faculty, businesses and the broader community we serve.
I want to be very clear that the international students currently enrolled in Fleming at all our campuses including Fleming College Toronto are not affected by this announcement.
However, the new international students that have applied for spring and fall 2024 sessions may be impacted by this announcement.
This announcement has an immense adverse human and economic impact for our region.
It is important to recognize the relationship between international students and our local economies. The implementation of international student caps poses a threat not only to the educational experiences of all of our students but also to the vitality of our regional economy. The economic impact of a 50% reduction of international student enrollment will be a staggering loss to our communities: Peterborough, Lindsay and Haliburton.
The human impact is just as startling.
Fleming prepares people to work in a variety of services, however the impacts would be most pronounced for Early Childhood Education, Personal Support Workers, and Practical Nursing; people who look after our loved ones.
International students that come to Ontario are essential to bringing in top talent for key sectors of the workforce, here in our area and across the province. They usually come with a diploma or degree and are ready to move quickly into the labour market.
Our college graduates contribute to help close some of the largest labour market gaps in Ontario’s key sectors – health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, automotive, mining, trades and construction, advanced manufacturing and others.
We cannot adequately emphasize the gravity of this rash decision on the people; students, our college, community and local businesses and partnerships.
Maureen Adamson,
President, Fleming College
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