The president and CEO of Lambton College says the latest restrictions involving international students will affect the local campus, although to what extent is unknown at this point.
The federal government recently announced further limits on international student study permits after the initial two-year cap was introduced in January.
The number of study permits issued in 2025 will be reduced by 10 per cent from 2024's target and is expected to be maintained in 2026. Changes will also be made to the post-graduation work permit program.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller said overall, they expect the changes to yield approximately 300,000 fewer study permits over the next three years.
"We still don't have a lot of details, other than the cap is here to stay. Things like changes to the post-graduate work permit, we're not clear on what programs will be eligible and not eligible for international students to enrol in," said Rob Kardas. "So we're still waiting on those details but it's definitely going to have an impact on our college, and by extension on our local and regional labour market."
Kardas said they may receive those details in late October.
He said one of the details they are clear on is that current international students, or those who apply before November 1, will remain eligible for post-graduate work permits.
Kardas said the impact of the study cap is being felt locally with enrolment down 12 per cent among international students.
The decrease in international enrolment for the fall 2024 term will translate into approximately $1.3 million in lost revenue.
However, Kardas said they're still tracking toward their budget for 2024-2025.
He also said the school is starting to look at future budget years if the international student study cap extends past 2026.
"We're trying to figure that part out for sure, while also looking at where new streams of revenue may exist for us," he said. "As much as you're going to go into cost containment, you're also looking at the revenue side and where there might be opportunity moving forward."
Meanwhile, Lambton College recently reported an increase in domestic enrolment of nearly 10 per cent.
"Of the 4,500 new and returning students enrolled for the fall semester, domestic students account for slightly more than half of the college’s total student population," read a media release.
Kardas said the increase marks a five-year high for the Sarnia campus as all post-secondary schools saw a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We're happy to see it bouncing back and we're going to continue to build on it," Kardas said.
With the fall semester well underway, Kardas said programs related to the local labour market such as early childhood educators, personal support workers, fire and paramedic services are all full.
Programs that usually vary in enrolment such as border services, culinary, and social services are also full.