Public post-secondary education institutions in the Cariboo and Northern British Columbia are preparing students for in-demand careers in a wide variety of sectors that support a growing and prosperous British Columbia economy.

Cariboo and North public post-secondary institutions:

• College of New Caledonia
• Northern Lights College
• Northwest Community College
• University of Northern British Columbia

Number of Students in 2014-15:

• 24,870 students enrolled in public post-secondary institutions in the Cariboo and Northern region, compared to 22,050 in 2002-03. This includes 1,270 international students enrolled in 2014-15, compared to 370 in 2002-03.

Credentials* awarded in 2014-15: 2,518, compared to 2,088 in 2003-04.

Investment in public post-secondary education:

• $110.9 million invested for operating costs at Cariboo and Northern public post-secondary institutions in 2016-17, an increase of 37.5% since 2001-02 when government invested $80.6 million.

Investment in campus facilities:

• $201.9 million invested to support 137 capital projects at Cariboo and Northern post-secondary institutions since 2001-02. Examples include:
  • $15 million toward $33 million for a new trades training centre at the Dawson Creek campus of Northern Lights College. Construction is expected to start summer 2016.
  • $10 million toward $20.7 million to construct the new Technical Education Centre at the Prince George campus of the College of New Caledonia, along with renovations to the John A. Brink Centre. Officially opened December 2011.
  • $11.6 million toward $12 million for the Quesnel Campus Replacement of the College of New Caledonia.
  • $3.9 million toward more than $8.1 million for the Energy House Education and Research facility at Dawson Creek campus of Northern Lights College. Completed in 2010-11.
  • $6.5 million toward $12.4 million for Oil and Gas Trades Expansion at the Fort St. John Campus of Northern Lights College.
  • $8.5 million toward $16.7 million for expansion and renovation of the Smithers campus of Northwest Community College. Completed in September 2011.
  • $11.4 million towards $11.6 million for a new Prince Rupert campus of Northwest Community College.
  • $5.1 million toward $15.7 million to build a wastewood gasification plant for the Prince George campus heating system at the University of Northern British Columbia. Officially opened in March 2011.
  • $12 million for expansion of the Northern Medical Project of the University of Northern British Columbia.
  • $29 million towards $31.4 million for a new Teaching and Learning Centre in Prince George at the University of Northern British Columbia. 

* Credentials include certificates, diplomas and degrees