As more than 430,000 post-secondary students in B.C. are getting ready to hit the books, a new survey shows that an education in B.C. is a blueprint for workplace success.

In 2013, provincewide surveys collected information from about 30,000 former post-secondary students two years after they finished a wide range of academic, technical and developmental programs. As in the past five years, students reported high satisfaction rates (over 90%). This year, 93% are satisfied with their education.

“Students who have a good experience with post-secondary education are more likely to find good jobs and be successful in their work and personal lives,” said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. “It’s clear from our annual post-secondary survey results that B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions are continuing to do a great job of providing the right mix of education and training for students, which is setting the stage for their success.”

As B.C.’s post-secondary students prepare for the new semester, it’s a good time to highlight the role that post-secondary education and training play in providing employers with access to a highly educated and motivated workforce. The unemployment rate for post-secondary graduates is consistently lower than the unemployment for youth without a post-secondary credential.

Labour market predictions show that by 2022, B.C. can expect more than a million job openings, and that about 80% of all jobs will require some post-secondary education and training.  

The data collected through the B.C. post-secondary student surveys provide valuable information on graduates’ employment outcomes, and links to labour force participation, employment and unemployment rates, as well as a wealth of information on employment outcomes. In addition, respondents assess the relevance of their education to their employment and the usefulness of what they learned.

Learn more:

Student Outcomes Surveys: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/surveys/

Post-secondary education in B.C.: news.gov.bc.ca/ministries/advanced-education/factsheets/ 

A backgrounder follows

Media Contacts:

Alison Antrobus
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-8706

BACKGROUNDER

2013 B.C. student outcomes survey highlights

The Baccalaureate Graduate Survey (BGS) collects information from graduates of bachelor's degree programs at public post-secondary institutions. The BGS includes bachelor's degree graduates from research-intensive universities, teaching-intensive universities, colleges and institutes.

• 94% said the quality of instruction was very good or good.
• 54% took further education; 19% were currently studying full-time.
• 88% were in the labour force; 6.6% were unemployed and 1% had a job lined up.

The Diploma, Associate Degree, and Certificate Student Outcomes (DACSO) survey collects information from former students of diploma, associate degree and certificate programs at public post-secondary institutions. This includes former students from teaching-intensive universities, colleges and institutes.

• 95% said the quality of instruction very good, good or adequate.
• 72% of former arts and sciences students took further education.
• 91% of graduates from applied programs were in the labour force; their unemployment rate was 9.8%.

The Apprenticeship Student Outcomes (APPSO) survey collects information from students who have completed apprenticeship programs at both public and private post-secondary institutions, including teaching-intensive universities, community colleges and institutes, as well as private apprenticeship training providers.

• 96% said the quality of instruction was very good, good or adequate.
• 84% said their training covered the standards used in their field.
• 96% were in the labour force; the unemployment rate was 8.7%.

The Developmental Student Outcomes (DEVSO) survey collects information from former upper-level Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) students at public post-secondary institutions. This includes teaching-intensive universities, community colleges and institutes.

• 97% said the quality of teaching was very good, good or adequate.
• 70% of ABE respondents and 62% of ESL respondents pursued further education.
• 93% said they were very well or somewhat prepared for further education.

Media Contacts:

Alison Antrobus
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-8706