New registry to improve transparency in private career college options
Alberta is launching a Private Career College Registry to increase transparency about compliance actions taken against private career colleges, following increased student complaints about the sector.
According to the Government of Alberta, private career colleges have seen significant growth in recent years, along with increased student concerns and financial assistance applications.
“Private career colleges play an important role in Alberta’s adult learning system, and they offer a diversity of learning approaches and vocational training,” commented Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney. “Unfortunately, there are also some bad actors, and it is our responsibility to ensure students are not taken advantage of and are spending their hard-earned money on high-quality educational experiences.”
This new registry is expected to offer a comprehensive list of all licensed vocational training programs in the province including details like program names and duration, cost, location and licence status (active, stop order, or suspended). It would also allow prospective students to search for actions taken against the school they’re interested in attending.
