BC Budget invests in increased access to post-secondary education
VICTORIA— The BC government’s 2022 Budget includes several investments that will help students access education and find a job after graduation. This includes the expansion of more affordable childcare spaces; increased access to highspeed internet; more funding for adult learners; and the creation of more training seats for in-demand jobs.
“It is heartening to see investments in students by creating more seats in high-demand programs, improvements to connectivity in rural and Indigenous communities, investments in childcare and increased access to adult basic education” said Melissa Chirino, Chairperson of the BC Federation of Students, “all of these investments will help increase access to education and ensure students are successful during and after their studies.”
Budget 2022 includes investments which will create more spaces for those interested in accessing health care, early childhood education, and skilled trades training. To help more British Columbians enter the workforce and education there has been a significant investment in childcare, which will result in an additional 40,000 licensed childcare spaces. Additionally, there was a $289 million investment that will bring high-speed internet access to more than 280 communities which will further increase connectivity in communities and provide access to online or remote education opportunities.
“The key to our post-pandemic economic recovery is building a resilient and diverse economy in British Columbia and post-secondary is an important component of that,” said Chirino. “A number of today’s investments will open the door for more students to access the education they need to help build back British Columbia.”
The BC Labour Market Outlook forecasts that, over the next decade, there will be more than a million job openings in the province and 80% of those jobs will require a post-secondary degree. Investments today add on past investments of this government like the creation of the BC Grant program, the elimination of interest on student loans, and tuition free adult basic education all of which have helped remove barriers in accessing education.
The BC Federation of Students represents over 170,000 students at 15 universities, colleges, and institutes in every region of BC. Together, these students advocate for a well-funded system of post-secondary education in BC that is affordable and accessible for all students.
Original released by BC Federation of Students, February 22, 2022.
