Recommendations for changes to the Private Career Colleges Act

TORONTO, June 21, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Association of Career Colleges (OACC) presented a set of recommendations to enhance the Private Career Colleges Act review to the Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities, the Honourable Brad Duguid, on Thursday.

The Superintendent of Private Career Colleges will submit a report regarding the legislation which governs Ontario's Career College Sector, the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, by September 18, 2013.

"For more than 100 years, private career colleges have played an important role preparing Ontario students for entry into occupations in all sectors. I look forward to working together with the Ontario Association of Career Colleges on encouraging innovation within the sector, protecting our students and preparing graduates to participate in Ontario's economic future," said Minister Duguid.

OACC's key recommendations for the new Act include:

• Putting students first by increasing flexibility in program delivery through full time, part time, continuing education, and distance learning, as well as ensuring equitable treatment for all students
• Ensuring quality institutions through better pre-screening of new entrants into the career college sector which includes new mandatory training for new career college operators
• Creating efficient processes through the creation of an "accredited" career college category, which will allow for greater independence and an overhaul of the program approval process

The review and implementation of OACC's recommendations provides the government with the opportunity to make optimal use of the career college resource in Ontario that already provides hands-on training to over 67,000 students every year, employs over 12,000 staff, saves the taxpayers of Ontario more than $1 billion annually, and generates over $94 million in business and payroll taxes. The proposed changes will also allow career colleges to meet the needs of today's employers.

OACC's PCC Act Review Recommendations can be found here: http://www.oacc.ca/Data/files/PCC_Act_Recommendations.pdf

SOURCE: Ontario Association of Career Colleges

Media Contacts

Paul Kitchin
OACC Executive Director 
519-752-2124 ext. 103
[email protected] 

Alix Matthews-Mahé
OACC Media Communications Coordinator
519-752-2124 ext. 115
[email protected]