(THUNDER BAY)– Student registrations jumped another 18.4% in Winter 2013, as compared to Winter 2012, to a record 14,871 registrations generated and supported by Contact North I Contact Nord in online and distance programs and courses offered by Ontario’s public colleges, universities, high schools, literacy and basic skills and other training providers. 

This result builds on the multi-year growth experienced by Contact North | Contact Nord over the past years as the number of student registrations generated and supported has increased by over 150%. Since it was established in 1986, Contact North ǀ Contact Nord has generated and supported a total of more than 315,000 registrations.

Ontarians in over 600 small, remote, rural, Aboriginal and Francophone communities use the learning technologies (web conferencing, videoconferencing and audio conferencing) and support services available at Contact North | Contact Nord’s 112 online learning centres across the province to pursue their college diploma, university degree, or high school diploma, upgrade their literacy and basic skills, re-train for a new job or participate in professional and personal development training.

“Ontario’s public colleges, universities, high schools, literacy and basic skills and other training providers offer over 1,000 online and distance programs and 18,000 online and distance courses to Ontarians through our 112 online learning centres,” noted Paul Taillefer, Chair, Board of Directors, Contact North | Contact Nord.  “With such a wide range of courses available, Ontarians can pursue their education and training goals no matter where they live in the province.”

“Our multi-year growth is supporting a record number of Ontarians in over 600 communities across the province to access local education and training opportunities,” stated Maxim Jean-Louis, President – Chief Executive Officer, Contact North | Contact Nord. “This local access empowers these communities to build their local capacity, support economic development and train residents for new and emerging careers.”

Ontario residents can access Contact North | Contact Nord’s services at 112 online learning centres located across Ontario and can search information on over 1,000 programs online and distance and 18,000 online and distance courses from Ontario’s public colleges, universities, high schools, literacy and basic skills and other training providers at www.studyonline.ca.  Ontarians can also call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-999-9149 for more information.