Private Career College Regulations Released

The province has introduced new regulations to increase protection for students and support quality training at private career colleges.

Government and industry share a responsibility to support and regulate the quality of training in Nova Scotia, said Education Minister Jane Purves.

"Students need solid training to find and keep jobs," said Ms. Purves. "The new regulations help support the continued development of a responsive private training industry."

Regulatory changes include mandatory industry reviews of all new curriculum.

"As the curriculum is reviewed by industry itself, students will know that the training they're getting is the training their future bosses expect," said the minister.

Instructors' qualifications are also defined in the regulations.

The regulations support the new Private Career Colleges Regulation Act, which was proclaimed on Aug. 31, 1999.

Students will soon have access to information that will help them assess labour market opportunities when they are considering potential careers. Based on student information now required from each career college, the department will conduct graduate follow-up surveys, similar to those available for community college graduates.

The regulations create a training-completion fund. This fund will ensure students can complete their training -- at no cost to taxpayers -- if a school closes.

Heather Ann LeBlanc, president of the Association of Private Trainers and Career Colleges of Nova Scotia, welcomed the opportunity to advise on the new regulations.

"These regulations support a great and growing industry," said Ms. LeBlanc. "We look forward to continuing to work with the department, business and our students in support of quality training."

Ms. Purves thanked the many people who contributed to the final regulations. Last winter, the draft regulations were circulated to all private career colleges and stakeholders.

About 90 private career colleges operate in Nova Scotia. The colleges offer about 1,200 programs to about 6,500 students in existing and emerging growth industries such as computer programming, tourism and environmental training.

The new regulations are being circulated widely, including by mail. They will also be posted on the department website at www.ednet.ns.ca .