Michael Sangster, CEO of the National Association of Career Colleges
As Canada faces mounting pressure to strengthen its workforce and accelerate economic growth, it’s time to shine a spotlight on a sector that, for 130 years, has equipped Canadians with the skills they need to reinforce our economic strength and keep our country competitive: regulated career colleges.
These institutions, which are in operation across the country, are the unsung heroes of skills development and deployment. Yet as their success stories continue to grow, government must take care to ensure its policies align with the outcomes that matter most.
According to a new and comprehensive survey conducted by Nanos Research, Canada’s regulated career colleges are exceeding expectations when it comes to connecting students with employment quickly and effectively.
The numbers are striking. Over 80% of employed career college graduates report working in jobs related to their program of study. Even more impressive, three in five graduates found employment within three months of graduation.
At a time when Canadians are rightfully concerned about the return on investment in post-secondary education, these results are more than just statistics – they’re a vote of confidence in a sector that is nimble, responsive, and tuned-in to labour market needs.
NACC institutions have deep connections to the labour force, working directly with employers to create curriculum that matches evolving industry needs. They provide training to learners close to home, offering flexible and accessible options for Canadians looking to kickstart their careers, upgrade their skills, or make a career change. These learners are then able to be redeployed into the local labour force, finding good jobs and strengthening local economies from coast to coast to coast.
In fact, the same Nanos study demonstrates that nearly a third of graduates are hired by the very organization where they completed their practicum or internship.
Regulated career colleges are more than educators — they’re an engine reinforcing our country’s financial foundation and empowering the sectors that matter most to our economy. Every year, these institutions provide thousands of ready-to-work graduates in health care, the skilled trades, business, early childhood education, information technology, and social services – fields that are all at the heart of Canadian communities. They deliver hands-on, practical training that equip graduates with the skills they need in real workplaces, ensuring they can enter the workforce confident that they have the tools to succeed.
The facts are clear. Career colleges offer a strategic advantage to a government focused on “building Canada strong.”
But too often, these powerhouses of education face policies that stop them from unleashing the full potential of Canada’s workforce. Despite being subject to more stringent regulation and greater oversight – something the sector overwhelmingly embraces – these institutions are prevented from accessing the same supports as their public counterparts.
So, if the Prime Minister truly wants to provide “timely access to education and training,” as he outlined in his mandate letters, it’s time to ensure that federal policies follow the facts.
This should start by ensuring career college learners have equitable access to federal student aid programs. Instead of limiting student choice, federal student aid policies should be aligned with these institutions that have a proven track record of delivering the workers Canada needs.
Unfortunately, recent changes proposed in the Budget are likely to have the opposite effect – limiting Canada’s supply of skilled tradespeople, health care professionals, early childhood educators, and IT and AI experts.
But it’s not too late to change course. Career colleges are eager to work with the federal government to create greater fairness and enable it to achieve its policy goals by delivering in-demand workers who will strengthen our economy for the long term.
As we look to build a confident, future-proof workforce, it’s time for policymakers to embrace career colleges as key partners – moving past unsubstantiated assumptions and embracing the evidence. It’s time to recognize the essential role these institutions play in helping Canadians reach their goals, and in building the strong, adaptive workforce our country desperately needs to meet the challenges ahead.
