Private post-secondary education booming
Sector provides job-ready graduate to workforce, Robin Hemmingsen writes.
For decades, the economic discussion in B.C. centred around key traditional industries such as mining, forestry and energy. These industries created wealth for generations of British Columbians, and remain integral to our province’s economic health. But they are also subject to cyclical fluctuations and their dominance has, at times, led to economic and personal hardship.
However, even though traditional industries may be flagging, the B.C. economy remains buoyant, to the point that the province recently cancelled an increase in medical services premiums because of our strong economy and robust budget position. So what gives?
While the traditional economy shudders, new industries are emerging, growing and becoming stronger. Yes, real estate is a big part of the story, but not the only part. A number of newer and growing sectors are picking up the slack, including a rapidly growing industry that employs tens of thousands of British Columbians and generates billions in economic activity: private post-secondary education.
I am part of that growth. Once the dean of business at BCIT and now the president of LaSalle College Vancouver, a local private design school, I am one of many senior leaders who have switched from public post-secondary to private. A total of 57,083 students were enrolled in 327 registered private training institutions in B.C. during 2014-15, an increase of 10 per cent from the previous year.
In some ways, the switch is not surprising, given the number of graduates with post-secondary degrees continuing their education in targeted career areas to gain meaningful employment. Private post-secondary growth is driven by many factors, principally new demands in the marketplace for job-ready skills, taught by teachers who are working in and contributing to industry. Private training schools are sending graduates directly into the workforce with the fundamental skills they need, and the drive, ambition, and industry connections their instructors provide.
Another key factor is the willingness of the private sector to invest in infrastructure and equipment, putting tuition dollars directly back into institutions. Schools, such as LaSalle, that carry the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation also adhere to quality assessment criteria and hiring practices that are among the most rigorous in education. This collectively creates an exceptional value proposition for the student.
The local economic effect of language instruction for international students in B.C. alone highlights the value of the private education industry overall. This segment of the industry employs 24,000 British Columbians and is directly responsible for $1 billion in economic activity every year and $3 billion in indirect economic activity, making it the province’s fourth-largest export industry.
This growth shows no signs of slowing: B.C.’s International Education Strategy reveals that global demand to study abroad is forecast to grow nearly 120 per cent from 2011 to 2025. This strategy is a key component of our province’s Jobs Plan, and a cornerstone of our economy into the next decade.
Another significant but oftoverlooked fact is that private post-secondary schools are creating opportunities for foreign students to develop important social, cultural and economic connections with British Columbians. Conversely, schools such as LaSalle, with large global networks of post-secondary institutions, encourage Vancouver students to explore learning opportunities at other campuses around the world, in diverse locales such as Spain, Colombia, Australia, Morocco and Mexico.
Our vision is to grow to meet the emerging needs of B.C.’s design industry and help nurture Vancouver’s reputation as a fashion and design destination. Other private post-secondary institutions are pursuing their own visions to help tens of thousands of students learn and earn in an economic era that recognizes the benefits of directly connecting students with industry mentors and creating lifelong relationships that help tie B.C. to countries — and economies — around the world. Quite frankly, new industries that are growing and diversifying B.C.’s economy such as private post-secondary don’t receive the recognition they deserve. That needs to change.