The province is marking the 50th anniversary of the college system in Ontario by investing in post-secondary institutions.

On Thursday morning, Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault rolled out financial boosts for four northern Ontario college.

Canadore College, Cambrian College, College Boreal, Northern College and Sault College will receive funding in the neighbourhood of $1.5 to $1.85 million.

College presidents who spoke with CTV said the money will help make their schools more competitive and appealing to students

“All of our labs, all of our shops, all of our classrooms are going to be refurbished or updated or create new innovative opportunities,” said Bill Best, Cambrian College president.

“It will be going towards a number of programs, in the health sciences, agriculture, trades technologies business, information technology. It will be varied every campus, every site will be receiving a part of this funding,” explained Daniel Giroux, College Boreal President.

Throughout the province, 24 colleges received funding.