Increased student demand strains capacity at BC’s 11 community colleges.

October 16, 2009 Victoria, BC  This Fall total enrolment for BC Colleges is up approximately 10% from 2008.  Every one of the 11 member colleges is experiencing increased demands. Enrolment increases range from 3% to 15%, and are driven by high school graduates, aboriginal learners, immigrants, and recently unemployed workers requiring retraining. “As the recession drives more people to colleges for training and re-training,” states Jim Reed, president of BC Colleges, “our college system faces both physical and financial capacity issues that, if not addressed, will limit our future ability to properly serve British Columbians.”

Specifically, all colleges are seeing an increase in demand for university transfer, career/technical, developmental, adult literacy and trades training.  This increased demand is creating both physical and financial capacity challenges that will affect the future ability of the colleges to respond to the needs of industry and communities throughout BC.  Currently all of the colleges have waitlists or have had to turn students away. There are significant waitlists in the health sciences, including nursing as well as trades areas such as welding, carpentry, electrical, and heavy-duty mechanic. Colleges throughout the Province are working with local government, industry, and community organizations to address the increasing requirements of their communities.

The importance of continuing to fund BC Colleges is paramount.  “Investing in BC Colleges now means that we will have the physical and financial capacity to serve students. And it ensures that future labour market requirements are met and avoids another skills gap in the Province,” stresses Reed “Despite our current economic challenges, we must find ways to invest in our colleges.”

BC Colleges support and strengthen every community in BC by providing well-educated, highly skilled, job-ready graduates. However, the colleges recognize and are sensitive to the fiscal challenges currently facing the Province and are working hard as a consortium to reduce administrative costs through collaboration and partnership. Investing in BC Colleges contributes to building a stronger British Columbia.
 
 
BC Colleges is a consortium representing 11 institutions, serving more than 250,000 students annually with campuses in close to 60 communities throughout British Columbia. BC Colleges offer a comprehensive range of programs from university studies and baccalaureate degrees to career, technical and trades education.  All BC Colleges programs are designed to be accessible, affordable and responsive to the evolving needs of BC communities and industry.