Total enrolment in Ontario universities was over 228,000 students for the fall semester of 1996. Co-op programs, offered at several universities in certain programs, provide alternating terms of academic study and work experience. Ontario's post-secondary education system attracts students from all over the world. During the 1996 fall semester there were over 9,000 international students registered at Ontario universities. Ontario's colleges and universities are largely publicly-funded.
Foreign students pay additional international student fees.
Apprenticeship and Client Services Offices throughout the province assist individuals and firms with all aspects of apprenticeship training. Apprentices attend school either full-time for a few months, or for one day a week during the year. In some cases, night school and correspondence courses are available. To successfully complete an apprenticeship, individuals must pass a Certificate of Qualification examination. The Ontario Youth Program gives participants a chance to combine work experience and a secondary school program, with credits toward an apprenticeship.