The federal government is discouraging students from attending public colleges at a time when British Columbia needs skilled professionals, argues BC Colleges President Colin Ewart. In an article for the Vancouver Sun, Ewart argues that while colleges offer students an affordable, accessible pathway to employment, the assumption that a college education leads to less important qualifications than a polytechnic or university education has led to federal changes that prioritize and incentivize university education for international students and put limits on which college programs international students can access. Ewart warns that these changes will negatively impact smaller communities and may force colleges to close programs that support local economies. “Colleges play a key role in the post-secondary sector and are vital to our economy,” concludes Ewart. “Let’s make sure we’re encouraging students—and politicians—to remember that.”
