The start of the fall semester should be a reminder to us all of just how important post-secondary education is to B.C.'s future. Much of the skills, knowledge and research that are critical to building a modern economy get their start at colleges, universities and institutes. Whether it's a degree, diploma, certificate or completed apprenticeship, the jobs of tomorrow require a post-secondary credential. According to the BC Business Council more than 75 per cent of all new jobs will require some form of post-secondary education.
Despite the obvious benefits of post-secondary education, the most critical form of funding for public institutions - the provincial operating grants - has not kept pace with underlying needs. On a per-student basis, after taking inflation into account, that funding has declined over the last 10 years. What that means at the institutions level is that programs are curtailed, wait-lists for key courses grow longer, student support services are further reduced, and eventually faculty and staff positions are cut.
Across B.C. we have seen many institutions hand out layoff notices. Smaller rural colleges like North Island College in Courtenay, Northwest Community College in Terrace or College of the Rockies in Cranbrook have all felt the pinch as chronic underfunding has led to layoffs and program curtailments. Here in the Lower Mainland similar cutbacks have happened at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Vancouver Community College where the funding crunch has forced administrators and faculty to further rationalize program offerings.
Students are the hardest hit in this funding squeeze. When course offerings are reduced or wait-lists grow, that means it will take longer to complete a degree or diploma. Four-year degree programs typically take six years or more for the average student to complete.
Add to that higher debts from rising tuition fees and the burden for today's students is significant.
B.C. can do better than that, but it takes investing more in post-secondary education to get us there.
