Overview

Conestoga's story

Established in 1967, Conestoga now serves 32,000 registered students through campuses and training centres in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Ingersoll, Brantford and Milton and is a provincial leader in apprenticeship training.

As the region’s only provider of polytechnic education, Conestoga plays an integral role in the success of our community and province: more than 80 per cent of our graduates remain in Ontario after completing their education, contributing more than $6.2 billion each year to the provincial economy. More than 50 per cent of the local adult population has accessed our services.

Conestoga delivers more than 300 full-time, career-focused programs and has more degree offerings than any other college outside the GTA, including Ontario’s first college-based, accredited engineering degrees.

As one of the country's top research colleges, Conestoga’s applied research activities support student learning and helps area businesses grow, innovate and improve their productivity.

Message from the president

Thank you for considering Conestoga, where we connect life and learning to build career success and stronger communities.

Conestoga is a leader in polytechnic education. Our career-focused education programs – from apprenticeships to diplomas, degrees to post-graduate certificates, continuing education and part-time studies – all reflect Ontario’s changing job market and will help you build the skills and knowledge that today’s employers are seeking.

Our project-based learning model provides the hands-on experience that will prepare you for success in a wide range of potential careers – in business and hospitality, skilled trades, engineering and information technology, health and life sciences, community services or media and design.

You’ll learn from faculty with experience in their fields, and practice your skills in leading-edge facilities equipped to today’s industry standards. You’ll have opportunities to participate in applied research and develop solutions for real-world industry clients.

Here at Conestoga, we’re committed to student success, and it shows. Our students consistently achieve top honours in local, provincial and even international competitions. Our career-ready graduates have the skills to meet today’s labour-market needs, the adaptability to address tomorrow’s challenges, and the strong entrepreneurial spirit that will contribute to individual and community prosperity in our rapidly changing world.

Education is an investment in your future. Make that investment count by choosing Conestoga, and start on the path to an exciting career.

John Tibbits
President, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

John Tibbits

College stats

(as of September 2024)
*2024 Colleges Ontario Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

32,000

Registered students
across eight cities

80%

Graduate satisfaction*

92%

Employer satisfaction*

200,000+

Alumni
+
+
+

7,197

Students engaged in applied research projects


300+

Full-time programs

85+

Co-op programs

$4.6M+

Awarded to students
each year
+
+
+

1,000+

Employers engaged in
Program Advisory Committees (PACs)

25+

Degree programs

87%

Graduates employed within
six months of program completion

1987

The year John Tibbits became president of Conestoga

Polytechnic education

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.

As a member institution of Polytechnics Canada, Conestoga is proud to work with industry and community partners to propel business innovation and create jobs for tomorrow.