The Ontario government will invest $575,000 to help Canadian Armed Forces members convert military experience into postsecondary credits, aiming to speed their transition into civilian careers.
The funding will support Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition projects at six colleges and universities across the province. The institutions include Fanshawe College, Georgian College, Canadore College, Lakehead University, University of Waterloo and University of Windsor.
“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,” said Nolan Quinn, minister of colleges, universities, research excellence and security.
Assessment tools and credit systems
The projects will develop systems to recognize military training as academic credit. Initiatives include converting Canadian Armed Forces experience into engineering degree credits, building AI tools to automate assessment processes, and creating a platform for administrators to identify course equivalencies from military records.
One project will establish a course credit bank allowing veterans to quickly identify postsecondary program options. Another will work to standardize how institutions assess and recognize military training.
The Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium will also receive funding to develop best practices for recognizing armed forces training within Ontario’s postsecondary system.
Veterans in Ontario
More than 149,000 Canadian Armed Forces veterans live in Ontario. Each year, approximately 8,000 to 9,000 members are released from military service.
The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer will manage the new initiatives. “Military-connected learners enrich classrooms and campuses with their insightful perspectives, diverse experiences and tremendous work ethic,” said Dr. Adrienne Galway, president and CEO of the council.
Peter Devlin, president of Fanshawe College, said the assessment process will help veterans transition smoothly to civilian careers while receiving credit for their previous learning.
The announcement came during Veterans Week. Graham McGregor, minister of citizenship and multiculturalism, said the investment represents action to support veterans transitioning to civilian life.
