Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology closing after international student enrolment drops

Listen to this article

Estimated 3 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology is winding down operations over the course of the next year as a result of a steep decline in international student enrolment.

The Winnipeg post-secondary institution announced Wednesday it will be closing after a federal cap led to a drop in international enrolment exceeding 55 per cent, making its current financial model unsustainable, a memo on MITT’s website said.

The memo says the provincial government decided to close MITT, and an undetermined number of programs will be transferred to RRC Polytech.

Numbers from the province show revenue from international students dropped nearly 60 per cent from the 2024-25 school year to the current academic year — from $23.2 million to $9.5 million.

“For this institution, their revenue has dropped more than half in the previous year and then this year again,” said Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable. 

Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable says the closure of the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology is a direct result of federal cuts to international students. (Justin Fraser/CBC)

Cable said MITT’s impending closure is “a direct result of the decision by the federal government to cut international students,” and she doesn’t expect Canada’s policy to change any time soon. 

MITT says it will work with the province and RRC Polytech to make sure there’s a plan for students to complete their studies, whether they’re in post-secondary, high school, adult learning, industry training or English language programs.

All current MITT students will be able to complete their programs, Cable said, but where and when is still to be determined. 

“Every student will be able to finish their program, and every credential that’s come from MITT will be recognized,” she said, and the province is working with MITT and RRC Polytechnic to ensure “the smoothest transition possible.”

The school provides training in a range of in-demand skills, from early childhood education to welding, carpentry and cybersecurity. It also offers English-language classes and high school courses for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students and adult learners.

Immigration cap slammed

MITT had a total enrolment of 4,663 students across its various programs, its 2024-25 annual report said. According to the province, 1,988 of them — more than four in 10 — were international students.

In a memo to staff, RRC Polytech president Fred Meier decried the impact of Ottawa’s cap on international students on Manitoba’s post-secondary sector, saying it doesn’t take the province’s unique market needs into account.

Meier said in the memo that there’s some overlap between the RRC Polytech and MITT in their offerings, and a review of MITT’s programs will determine which will be kept.

He acknowledged the news is hard for MITT employees and said the closure isn’t a reflection of the work they do.

On Wednesday, Cable said “there are no changes to staffing” at MITT right now, but wouldn’t say whether staff will be laid off in the future. 

However, she said there is “very real potential” that some MITT staff may not find jobs at RRC Polytechnic. 

Cable said the closure won’t happen during this academic year.