Winnipeg technical college to shut doors

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology is shuttering operations, citing the fallout of the federal government’s crackdown on international enrolment.

MITT administration announced Wednesday it will wind down operations, with some programs being relocated to Red River Polytechnic, over the next 12 months.

“The institution, as it is, status quo, it’s just not sustainable,” Advanced Education Minister Renée Cable said.

“So we have Red River College and MITT and folks from the government working together to come up with a plan that will mitigate damage.”

There won’t be any immediate changes or layoffs until the current academic year is over, Cable said.

MITT said on its website that international enrolment has dropped by more than 55 per cent, making its current financial model unsustainable.

“These changes have created uncertainty for students and post-secondary institutions across Canada and sent a message abroad that international students aren’t valued here,” the website says.

“As a result, institutions have faced financial and operational shocks that they could not reasonably anticipate or absorb.”

It said students remain the school’s top priority.

“We want to reassure students and parents that all students will be able to complete their studies.”

It said MITT will work closely with the province and RRC Polytech to ensure students are supported and have a clear, well-defined plan for completing their program — whether they’re in post-secondary, high school, adult learning or English-language programming.

“Any industry training that is underway will also continue to completion.”

The college headquartered in southwest Winnipeg offers certificate, diploma and post-graduate programs in applied business, design and manufacturing technologies, health and human services, information and communication technology and skilled trades. It also runs English-language programs and adult education.

Retired instructor Karen Dyck was not surprised to learn about the circumstances leading up to her former employer’s downfall.

Dyck, a registered nurse who taught in the health-care aide program, left MITT in 2022.

The overwhelming majority of students she taught during her tenure hailed from outside Canada, Dyck said.

She recalled many registrants openly discussed how they’d only signed up for the post-secondary program as a pathway to permanent residency.

» Winnipeg Free Press

“Ethically and morally, it was difficult, as a nurse, to know that,” Dyck said.

“It made me feel like I was wasting my time. I’m very proud of the career that I worked very, very hard to be in. I was very dedicated to the health of Manitobans — and to know people were coming through the program and not being interested in doing the work, it was disheartening.”

MITT administration indicated more information about the transition will be made available on its website in the coming weeks.

» Winnipeg Free Press