The Province has proclaimed March 7 as BC Colleges Day. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the critical role colleges in British Columbia play in connecting students of all ages to the education and training they need to secure a prosperous future.

The announcement was made today by Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson, with an official presentation of the proclamation to BC Colleges chair Lane Trotter.

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B.C. has 11 public colleges and with more than 60 campuses and learning centres throughout the province, they serve an estimated 125,000 students each year. These facilities enable students to study close to home and contribute to their local communities.

Almost one million job openings are expected in B.C. by 2025. Eighty percent of those opportunities will require post-secondary education and training. The Province is investing in public colleges to ensure they can continue the important work of connecting British Columbians with the education they need for the in-demand occupations of today and tomorrow.

Since 2012, the Ministry of Advanced Education has invested more than $150 million to support trades facilities, trades equipment and high-demand trades seats at public colleges throughout B.C. This funding is an investment in the future of B.C. colleges and the students they serve.

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B.C. colleges support the #BCTECH Strategy as well as B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint by providing programming that is tailored to meet labour market needs. B.C. colleges also support the B.C. Rural Economic Development Strategy by ensuring that British Columbians in all regions of the province have access to hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship, as they train for a good-paying job and a high quality of life in their community.

As key partners in the post-secondary transfer system, B.C. colleges provide students with the option to start their degrees at home or return there for post-degree credentials.

The decision to enrol in a B.C. college leads to success. British Columbians who complete their education and training at a B.C. college have a bright future to look forward to. According to BC Student Outcomes data, 88% of surveyed students graduating from a B.C. public college were in the labour force in 2016.

B.C. public colleges have something for everyone. With over 250 university transfer, career, trades, technology and vocational programs, students from all walks of life have the opportunity to further their education and train for a range of rewarding careers. B.C. colleges teach and build communities through generations of students that contribute to a diverse, strong and growing economy.

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Quotes:

Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education –

“Our government is proud to recognize the contributions that public colleges in B.C. make to their communities. These institutions provide British Columbians with first-class education and training opportunities as they prepare students for future success.”

Lane Trotter, president and CEO of Langara College and chair of BC Colleges –

“B.C. colleges deliver accessible, high-quality post-secondary education and training for students and well-prepared graduates to build local economies. Together, B.C. colleges and our students contribute $7.8 billion to the province’s economy.”

Learn More:

• Search for B.C. colleges and the programs they offer at EducationPlannerBC: http://www.educationplannerbc.ca/
• 2025 B.C. Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Industry/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx
• B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/training-education/b-c-s-skills-for-jobs-blueprint.aspx
• #BCTECH Strategy: http://bctechstrategy.gov.bc.ca/
• B.C. Rural Economic Development Strategy: https://bcjobsplan.gov.bc.ca/b-c-s-rural-economic-development-strategy/
• BC Colleges: http://www.bccolleges.ca/