About OCAS
What is OCAS?
OCAS, once known as the Ontario College Application Service, is the organization behind the central application to Ontario's public colleges. Its About page says people may know it as "the centralized application service for Ontario's public colleges" and adds, "If that's how you've known us in the past, you're still right today." It describes its focus as "connecting applicants with Ontario's colleges and delivering trusted tools and services to support our college partners." Its best-known product is the Ontario Colleges website, ontariocolleges.ca, where people research colleges, search thousands of programs, apply and request transcripts, and which OCAS says draws millions of visits a year. Around it sit the Ontario Colleges mobile app, a college-branded application and an international application service, and, for the colleges themselves, business intelligence, financial and payroll services, tier 1 customer support, website services, managed cloud, and self-serve data and reporting "backed by the largest repository of college system data in Ontario." Its 2025-26 annual report describes a year in which the board refocused OCAS on the domestic application, a refreshed Ontario Colleges website launched in November 2025, and a 2026-30 strategic plan, Connecting Potential, was released. Its finance postings describe OCAS as a not-for-profit organization.
Where will I work?
At OCAS's office at 60 Corporate Court in Guelph, "just a short drive from the 401", on a hybrid schedule: three of its four current postings require "three days each week in our Guelph office", with the other two days worked remotely. In October 2026 OCAS is hiring an accounting specialist ($52,500–$62,500), a finance lead ($92,660–$108,000, CPA required) and a vice-president of application services, data and technology ($157,000–$191,000), all based in Guelph. A fourth role, sector data and insights strategist ($110,000–$130,000), is split equally between OCAS and Colleges Ontario, and whoever takes it can choose Colleges Ontario's Toronto office or OCAS's Guelph office as their primary work location. The careers page describes an open-plan office with "traditional meeting rooms and secluded 1:1 nooks", casual lounges and "an outdoor meeting area surrounded by greenspace", close to walking trails, gyms, shops and restaurants.
What is the OCAS team like?
"We work in education, so we know how important it is to never stop learning," the careers page says, and all employees get training and professional development. OCAS supports local charities through fundraisers and donations, gives staff paid volunteer time, and celebrates its wins with events run by its own "Fun Squad" ("It hasn't been proven, but the C in OCAS might actually stand for cake"). Its postings describe "a collaborative team that is passionate about technology, innovation, and continuous improvement" and a workplace where "new ideas are welcomed and better ways of working are encouraged." OCAS says it has been named one of Waterloo Area's Top Employers for the eleventh consecutive year and a Southwestern Ontario Top Employer three years in a row, and that it is a Certified Living Wage Employer in Ontario. Its Contact Centre supports applicants directly, including extended availability during spring college open-house weekends.
Work-Life Balance
"Everyone needs a breather," the careers page says: "we offer over four weeks of paid vacation to all new hires, as well as a paid company break in December." Three of the four postings put a number on it: "Start with 22 vacation days, plus a paid company shutdown during the holiday season." With Ontario's nine statutory holidays, that is 31 days off in a first year, before the December shutdown, whose length is not published. Hybrid staff work remotely two days a week, and benefits begin after one month. Weekly hours are not published.
Perks and Benefits
- 22 vacation days to start, plus a paid company shutdown over the December holidays
- Benefits from the first month: vision, dental, extended health care, life insurance and more
- A defined benefit corporate pension plan
- Training and professional development for all employees
- Paid volunteer time and support for local charities
- Hybrid work: three days a week in the Guelph office, two remote
- Pay ranges published on every posting
- An open-plan office with lounges and an outdoor meeting area