Strategic Context

Vision

Post-secondary education/training and research/innovation enable British Columbians and all of British Columbia to prosper.

Mission

The mission of the Ministry of Advanced Education is to realize the economic, environmental, cultural and social goals of all British Columbians by providing provincial and national leadership and support for:

• Excellent and accessible post-secondary education that cultivates life-long learners throughout the province, providing knowledge, skills and abilities to lead fulfilling lives.
• An integrated and dynamic approach to research and innovation that enables effective discovery, transfer, application and commercialization of knowledge and technology, providing economic and social benefits throughout British Columbia.

Values

The following values guide the ministry in its work:

1. A student-centred post-secondary education system
2. Excellence, innovation, creativity and continuous improvement
3. Relevance and responsiveness of the post-secondary education system
4. Recognition of the key roles post-secondary education, research and development play in a successful economy
5. Life-long learning opportunities for all British Columbians
6. A positive and supportive working environment
7. Open, transparent and consultative processes to facilitate effective working partnerships
8. Greater equity and equality for British Columbians
9. Results-based accountability
10. Fiscal responsibility

Planning Context and Key Strategic Issues

This section of the service plan reviews the major trends and resulting challenges and opportunities that influence the post-secondary education system and the research and innovation sector.

The long-term trends, challenges and opportunities include the increase in demand for post-secondary education, an increase in the diversity of British Columbia's population, and continuing technological advancements. Post-secondary providers will be challenged to utilize technology, provide greater flexibility in education-related services, and develop relevant programs.

In addition, with the expansion of a global, knowledge-based economy, British Columbia must support research and innovation activity that will foster a competitive advantage in world markets. Investing in research and innovation, and ensuring that technology is used to its full advantage, will enhance British Columbia's ability to attract and educate world-class researchers and the highly qualified people needed for the workforce of the future. It will also increase the province's ability to attract new research and technology intensive industries, and provide improved and more accessible services to British Columbians. British Columbia has great potential to build on its successes and will need to continuously grow this area in order to remain competitive with other provinces and internationally.

Demographics

Growing population and demand for post-secondary education

British Columbia's annual population growth rate has been close to the rate for Canada in recent years, and is showing signs of overtaking the national average.

A good provincial economy continues to be both a result of and contributor to strong population growth from net in-migration. International immigration accounts for the bulk of British Columbia's population gains and is expected to remain the largest contributor to overall population growth in the province. Inter-provincial migration will also contribute a considerable share of the total population growth.

Demand for post-secondary education will be felt from the primary post-secondary cohort of 18-29 year-olds as well as from the working age population. The 18 to 29 year age group will continue to increase sharply relative to the total population until growth peaks in 2013. It should be noted, though, that within this age group, the projected increase is attributable to growth in the 25 to 29 year age group. It is also expected that the working age population (18 to 64 year-olds) will increase steadily through 2031.

Challenges and opportunities

Growth in the 25 to 29 year age group, as well as more emphasis on life-long learning among the working age population, will increase demand for more choice and flexibility in the range of education and industry training options within the context of public sector fiscal constraints.

The increasing number of people migrating to British Columbia includes a significant proportion of new immigrants who possess at least a baccalaureate level of education. These also include many whose first language is not English. This trend toward an increasingly diversified population will likely increase demand for English as a Second Language programs.

The Changing Economy, Learning and Labour Market Environments

Signs of a solid economic recovery

In 2004, for the first time since 1987, British Columbia led all the other provinces in economic growth at 3.9 per cent. Economic growth will remain strong as it is forecasted to grow 3.0 per cent annually from 2005 to 2008.

As a result of improving economic conditions, both labour force and employment levels are increasing, which has led to lower provincial unemployment rates. As some sectors of the economy are operating at historically high levels, labour market pressures are being felt in some industries, occupations and particular regions of the province. For example, skills pressures or shortages are being experienced in certain high-skilled fields, including the health care professions, particularly in rural and northern communities. In addition, skills pressures exist in some construction trades, particularly in urban areas.

Increased educational requirements for employment

Increasingly, post-secondary education beyond a high school level is a prerequisite for employment as the province's economy becomes more reliant on the high-technology and knowledge sectors.

Generally, British Columbians, including young people, are well educated and highly skilled. Enrolment in British Columbia's public post-secondary institutions as a proportion of the 18 to 29 year-old cohort was estimated at 43.9 per cent in 2003/04. According to the most recent data available from Statistics Canada (1999/00), British Columbia had the third highest participation rate in the country. However, ongoing adjustments to education and training programs will continue to be necessary to respond to future skills pressures.

Challenges and opportunities

Research does not suggest a "labour crisis" but there is a significant challenge in ensuring the right mix of education and skills for existing jobs. The post-secondary education system needs to continue to adapt to the needs of an evolving labour market. This will require strong ties with community, regional and provincial stakeholders to ensure the system reflects the skills needs of local communities and economies as well as provincial priorities. Together with our post-secondary partners, the ministry will continue to expand opportunities for students to pursue occupations in high-demand fields such as nursing, medicine, skilled trades and engineering by increasing the capacity of the post-secondary system and by targeting bursaries and student loan forgiveness where demand is greatest.

Research and innovation

Science and innovation are drivers of economic development and growth. In order to take full advantage of this potential, government requires a well-coordinated approach to building its research and innovation capacity. Accordingly, a research and innovation strategy is being developed to maximize the benefits of science and innovation. This will involve fostering a coordinated and integrated approach to research and dissemination of research, striving to increase research investments and British Columbia's global reputation for research, and ensuring that research and innovation contribute to both the economy and social fabric of the province. Under this strategy, initiatives will be explored to increase graduate education, to improve research collaboration and dissemination, and to expand regional capacity for research relevant to local communities.