Conestoga is a leader in polytechnic education and one of Ontario's fastest growing colleges, delivering a full range of career-focused education, training and applied research programs to prepare students for success in the new knowledge economy and promote economic prosperity throughout our region and across Ontario.
Established in 1967, Conestoga now serves approximately 13,000 full-time students through campuses and training centres in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Ingersoll and Brantford and is a provincial leader in apprenticeship training. Continuing education programs attract more than 38,000 enrolments each year.
As the region’s only provider of polytechnic education, Conestoga plays an integral role in the success of our community: 65 per cent of our graduates remain in the area after completing their education, contributing more than $2.3 billion each year to the local economy. More than 50 per cent of the local adult population has accessed our services.
Conestoga delivers more than 200 career-focused programs, and has more degree offerings than any other college outside of the GTA, including Ontario’s only college-based, accredited engineering degrees.
Our comprehensive range of programming meets the needs of a variety of learners, providing multiple entry points and established pathways to ensure that individuals across our community can access the education they need for their chosen careers. Articulation agreements with colleges and universities around the world provide our students with ready access to additional post-secondary opportunities.
Labs equipped with the latest technology, project-based courses, field and clinical experiences, international exchange, applied research and co-op opportunities engage our students as they learn to connect theory, research and practice. Our focus on technology-enhanced learning through online and mobile technologies ensures that students are prepared to excel in our increasingly digital world. Conestoga’s commitment to student success includes a full range of support and career advising services available to students throughout their learning journey.
Conestoga’s applied research activities support student learning and helps area businesses grow, innovate and improve their productivity. Conestoga is tri-council approved, eligible for funding from NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR, and the first college in Canada to host a CIHR Industrial Research Chair for Colleges. In 2015-16, approximately 1,500 students and 130 faculty and staff members were engaged in applied research projects.
Active community, industry and academic partnerships provide support for Conestoga students, programs and facilities. Approximately 1,000 community and business leaders provide input and direction on programming through advisory committees and consortia.
Conestoga has a proven track record of continuous improvement and success. Our students consistently achieve top honours in local, provincial and international competitions. Our graduate employment and graduate satisfaction rates are among the highest of all Ontario’s colleges. Our employer satisfaction rating has exceeded 90 per cent every year since the provincial Key Performance Indicators survey was initiated. OSAP loan default rates for Conestoga graduates are consistently among the very lowest in the province.
