Private Training Act

Engagement Summary

In April 2014, as a result of a core review, the provincial government announced that the Ministry of Advanced Education will assume directly responsibility for the regulation of the private career training sector.
 
The province sought input from students and sector representatives on legislation that could be introduced as early as fall 2014. Written submissions were accepted by email and mail, and there were also two days of in-person consultations in Vancouver with sector representatives.
 

Timeframe:

April 17 to June 20, 2014
 

Input Received:

There were two phases to this consultation:
 
Phase 1:  Consultations sessions were held in Vancouver on May 22nd and 23rd, 2014, 63 people participated.
 
Phase 2:  In November and early December 2014 consultation sessions were held in Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria, with stakeholder groups such as flight schools and language schools, over 150 people participated in these sessions.
 

Input leads to action:

The Private Training Act will be brought in to force on September 1, 2016. The new act will bring responsibility for the regulation of private career training into government. This change will benefit students and private training institutions, including language schools, by:

1. Strengthening quality assurance for students.
2.  Improving public confidence in the system, at home and internationally.
3. Streamlining and harmonizing administrative processes.
4. Reducing student financial assistance default rates.

 
The new legislative framework creates higher quality standards for private career training institutions, a broader range of enforcement mechanisms and incentives for good performance by institutions. The legislation balances the needs and interests of students and institutions.
 
The Ministry of Advanced Education will continue to work with the private career training sector and support institutions as they make the transition to the new regulatory scheme. Private career training institutions are expected to complete the transition within approximately 18 months of Sept. 1, 2016.