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

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 initially said the provincial government directed that MITT wind down operations, but was later changed to remove reference to the province. The document also stated that 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. 

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.

While the NDP government points to federal limits, Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko, who served as the advanced education minister in the former Progressive Conservative government, said he thinks the blame "falls solely on the province."

International student caps have affected post-secondary schools across Canada, not just MITT, Ewasko said. He wondered whether the government considered "alternative measures" to keep the school open, like additional provincial funding. 

"They knew a couple years ago that the numbers were going to be reduced by the federal government. What were the alternative plans?" he said.

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.