In recent years, there has been significant growth in Alberta's private career college sector, with increases in student complaints, student enrolment and financial assistance applications being observed at some private career colleges. Alberta's government is taking action to protect students by holding private career colleges accountable if they are not following legislative requirements or failing to meet their licensing obligations.
The new Private Career College Registry will increase transparency about any compliance action taken against a private career college and will let prospective students search for actions taken against a school they are interested in attending.
"Private career colleges play an important role in Alberta's adult learning system, and they offer a diversity of learning approaches and vocational training. Unfortunately, there are also some bad actors, and it is our responsibility to ensure students are not taken advantage of and are spending their hard-earned money on high-quality educational experiences."
Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education
The Private Career College Registry offers a comprehensive list of all licensed vocational training programs in the province, providing key details like program names and duration, cost, location and licence status. The licence status of each program is clearly highlighted with indicators for active, stop order or suspended.
Advanced Education can take a range of compliance actions under the Private Vocational Training Act, including issuing compliance orders that require specific steps to be taken. Stop orders are issued when serious non-compliance with legislation, regulation or licensing policies are found. Stop orders place restrictions on private career college operations, which may range from a prohibition on enrolling new students to temporarily ceasing operations while the stop order is in place. In more severe cases, licence suspension or cancellation may restrict colleges from offering any training programs at all.
"A searchable online registry is a welcome change that can help improve student outcomes. 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."
Jeff Loomis, executive director, Momentum
As part of ongoing efforts to ensure quality and compliance, Advanced Education has increased oversight and inspections of Alberta's private career colleges, with a focus on colleges that have unusually high enrolment. Since June 2024, Advanced Education has issued compliance orders against 15 inspected institutions:
- Aug. 20, 2024: Nova Career College
- Oct. 10, 2024: QCOM College of Technology (QCT)
- Oct. 23, 2024: ERP College
- Nov.14, 2024: Alexander Brookes College
- Nov. 25, 2024: City College of Management
- Dec. 2, 2024: Glenbow College
- Dec. 6, 2024: Rosewood College
- Dec. 6, 2024: Aquinas College
- Dec. 20, 2024: ONE Beauty Academy - Edmonton
- Dec. 20, 2024: ONE Beauty Academy - Medicine Hat
- Dec. 23, 2024: Cypress College
- Feb. 26, 2025: Prairie Western College
- March 5, 2025: Global College of Business & Technology
- March 7, 2025: Alberta Paramount College
Advanced Education has also revoked the private vocational training licence of Ambber & Salma College of Esthetics & Spa, effective Sept. 11, 2024. Ambber & Salma College of Esthetics & Spa has filed an application for judicial review of this decision. Advanced Education has also revoked the private vocational training licence of Capstone Edge College, effective Oct. 16, 2024.
In addition to inspections, in 2024, Advanced Education completed audits of four Alberta private career colleges. These audits resulted in determinations under both the Student Financial Assistance Act and Private Vocational Training Act. The following private career colleges are no longer designated as eligible institutions for student aid, and they have Private Vocational Training Act compliance orders in place:
- June 14, 2024: AGA Academy
- June 26, 2024: Capstone Edge College
- Sept. 12, 2024: Hamptons College
- Sept. 30, 2024: Peerless Training Institute
- Oct. 16, 2024: Capstone Edge College
Alberta's government is committed to protecting the investment students make in their education and supporting the integrity of the private career college sector.
Quick facts
- Alberta's government regulates private career colleges across the province, ensuring compliance with the Private Vocational Training Act, regulations, and licensing policies.
- For general inquiries or compliance concerns, contact pcc.compliance@gov.ab.ca.
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