Former Youth in Care Take Advantage of Free Tuition Program at Okanagan College
Forty-three former youth in care have accessed post-secondary education and skills training at Okanagan College, thanks to the B.C. Government’s Provincial Tuition Waiver Program.
Okanagan College is one of 25 public post-secondary institutions in the province with students that have benefitted from the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program. The program supports the transition into post-secondary by waiving tuition and mandatory fees and provides an increased chance for a positive employment outcome for former youth in care.
“We look forward to helping as many former youth in care as possible access higher learning at Okanagan College and find pathways into the world,” says Okanagan College President, Jim Hamilton. “This is an exciting initiative that is yielding results.”
The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program has increased by 326 per cent since it launched in 2017. As a result, 806 former youth in care are now studying all over the province in social work, academic arts, nursing, pre-medical studies, trades, business administration and graphic design.
About 7,500 children and youth are currently in the care of the Province or on youth agreements.
Post-secondary education is important in terms of getting jobs. According to the latest labour market projections, nearly 80 per cent of 903,000 jobs in B.C. that will be vacated or created between now and 2028 will require individuals to have post-secondary education.
To read the full story from the B.C. Government, click here. To learn more about the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, click here.