Cypress College is one of two local private college's issued compliance orders by the province last December. Monday the province announced a new college registry that will report any compliance actions taken against Alberta schools.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Two private career colleges in Medicine Hat have been listed among 15 across the province that have received compliance orders issued by Advanced Education.
Cypress College and ONE Beauty Academy were issued compliance orders last December after the province ramped up efforts to ensure private career colleges are following legislative requirements and meeting their licensing obligations.
ONE Beauty Academy received its compliance order on Dec 20, 2024. Cypress College received its compliance order only days later on Dec. 23, 2024.
In a press release issued Monday the government says they have received a “significant growth” in student complaints associated with private colleges in recent years.
“Alberta’s government is taking action to protect students by holding private career colleges accountable if they are not following legislative requirements,” reads the press release.
The province explains Advance Education can take a range of compliance actions under the Private Vocational Training Act that include issuing orders that require specific steps to be taken.
In more severe cases, stop orders and licence suspensions or cancellations can also be issued to restrict colleges from offering any training programs at all.
In an effort to give potential students more transparency, the province has announced it will be introducing a new Private Career College Registry, searchable by students, listing actions taken against a school.
The province says private career colleges play an important role in Alberta’s higher education system and offer a diversity of learning approaches and vocational training.
“Unfortunately, there are also some bad actors, and it’s our responsibility to ensure students are not taken advantage of and are spending their hard-earned money on high-quality education; experiences,” said Rejan Sawhney, minister of advanced education.
The Private Career College Registry will offer a comprehensive list of all licensed vocational training programs throughout the province and provide key details including program names, cost, location and licence status.
“A searchable online registry is a welcome change that can help improve student overcomes,” said Jeff Loomis, executive director of Momentum, a group that assists low-income, unemployed and underemployed Albertans. “This change makes it easier for students to find out if a college is breaking the rules. Students need transparent information on private career college costs and performance to make informed decisions on the schools and programs to attend.”
In addition to 15 private colleges receiving compliance orders, Advanced Education also last year revoked the training licence of Ambber & Salma College of Esthetics & Spa and suspended the training licence of Capstone Edge College.
Cypress College and ONE Beauty Academy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
