With the 2016-17 academic year now underway, the 11 colleges across the province are reporting increased enrolments in academic programming.
“The enrolment numbers are looking bright for colleges in our province,” says Red Deer College President and CEO Joel Ward. “When we look at the numbers collectively, comparing this year’s enrolment numbers with those from the 2015-16 year, the 11 institutions are showing exceptional enrolment growth in academic programming, with an increase of over nine per cent.”
Ward attributes the strong growth in part to the number of Albertans who lost their jobs and are re-entering post-secondary to re-skill and re-train in preparation for when the economy rebounds. “Government funding has increased over the past two years and this has also enabled colleges to offer new programs, which contributes to the strong growth in enrolment,” he says.
Some general trends can be found when comparing enrolment numbers, as six institutions reported increases in business and business administration programs. Other areas of growth included health and human service programs, university transfer programs and upgrading.
“This is a positive time of growth for colleges in Alberta,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns. “Our institutions offer a wide range of program options, developed to meet the needs of learners. The strong enrolment numbers indicate that we are on the right track, as our institutions are collectively helping Albertans on the path to attaining their career goals.”
Lethbridge College's first-year enrolment for 2016-17 is 2,484 students, an increase of 15 per cent over last year. The total college post-secondary level enrolment this fall is 4,492 students, an increase of more than eight per cent over last fall, and the highest enrolment in the past 10 years. The First Nations, Metis and Inuit student population has also seen an 11 per cent spike in enrolment. The individual programs with the largest increases from last fall include Geomatics Engineering Technology (69 per cent increase), Conservation Enforcement - Bachelor of Applied Science (33 per cent) and Business Administration (30 per cent). All four academic centres exceeded their target enrolment numbers.