The first recommendation is to continue to find ways to make it easy and efficient for international students to study in Canada, including timely access to study visas and post-graduate work permits, and consider providing targeted incentive programs for employers to hire international students and graduates.
My second recommendation relates to the retention of the workforce. We need to encourage domestic students to settle in the area. As part of their education, many of our learners are involved in work on projects or co-ops or internships with employers providing meaningful, work-integrated learning, but the work doesn't continue after the initial term because the SMEs don't have the funding to hire and retain those students upon graduation.
The second recommendation is to consider programs that would support small and medium-sized enterprises in hiring learners as they study, and then keep them employed as the company innovates and builds capacity. This benefits the student and the employer, and strengthens the community.
The third relates to funding opportunities of colleges. I'd like to begin by thanking the Government of Canada for the many programs currently funded in our sector. There are challenges, however. Today, colleges have to wait for open calls for proposals to be posted once or twice a year, and they often don't align with project opportunities, creating unnecessary urgency for partnerships and proposals. Also, I would respectfully submit that six to eight months is too long for the review of a project submission.
The third recommendation is to offer programs with ongoing intakes, rolling application dates and multiple opportunities to submit proposals. Colleges have been proven to respond quickly to help address industry challenges, and providing ongoing access to research funds would allow colleges to help business and industry partners quickly develop new technologies and processes.
Finally, the committee recently heard from our friends and partners at Colleges and Institutes Canada, Denise Amyot, and Durham College president Don Lovisa. I echo their points about the importance of funding applied research projects at Canadian colleges. For example, Mohawk applied research projects raised more than $3.3 million last year from industry; however, our college only received $17,600 from the research support fund.
The final recommendation is to increase support for the research support fund or create a new funding option for colleges that can address the unique needs to allow us to expand and execute the research projects with the varying sectors.
Colleges across Canada are deeply involved in and committed to the communities we serve. We train and educate the local workforce, and colleges support and strengthen businesses, industries and organizations. Colleges are leaders and contributors to vibrant, prosperous communities. Your support of our role and mission is greatly appreciated.
In closing, I'd like to thank you for your time this evening. I'm happy to expand on any of my points during your question time.