British Columbians will see support flow to skills training and education programs over the next term, if a BC NDP minority forms government and makes good on its promises.
In the recently released “GreeNDP” pact, funding for education – from early childhood through to the graduate level – is a priority, though funding commitments were not detailed in the agreement.
Among the document’s highlights are commitments to improve access to and reduce the cost of post-secondary education, restore funding to adult basic education and English-language learning programs, fast-track enhancements for K-12 funding and invest in co-op, apprenticeship and work experience programs at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
Other key priorities left out of the agreement, though mentioned in the BC NDP’s campaign platform, include eliminating interest on student loans and providing students with a $1,000 completion grant for finishing their studies.
The party also committed to capping tuition fees at B.C. colleges and universities.
“All of those speak to the affordability for students and student aid,” said Ken Peacock, the Business Council of British Columbia’s chief economist.
“It’s more helping individuals; it’s aimed at affordability.”
Peacock added that it’s difficult to track the effect such initiatives have on the broader economy.
“The impact is kind of at the margin. I don’t think it would be a huge one that would be identifiable at the macro level.”
Funding for specialized training and in-demand skill sets was reflected in the BC Liberal government’s 2017 budget. For example, of the $87 million committed to its technology strategy through to fiscal 2019-20, about 53% was earmarked for the Ministry of Advanced Education.
The BC NDP platform promised $100 million to expand technology-related post-secondary education and related investments.
“There was, I would say, some sort of realignment in resources within the whole post-secondary education system that was initiated and started by the Liberals,” said Peacock, who noted that the province’s technology sector has generated a demand for talent and skilled workers that will likely outstrip the rate of graduates crossing B.C. stages.
“We are in this world where demographics are making labour market growth slower, and so some employers are having difficulty hiring skilled and talented people. We’ve got to have a multi-pronged approach to making sure we’ve got enough skill and talent in the province.”
Along with getting more students through B.C.’s post-secondary system, Peacock cites immigration, worker retention and postponing retirement as additional elements that are needed to help satisfy a growing labour need in B.C. Outside of technology, the province’s agriculture, services, construction and health-care sectors all have looming labour needs.
In its campaign platform, the BC NDP promised to create 96,000 construction jobs by building schools, hospitals and transportation infrastructure over the next five years. Increasing access to doctors, nurses and health practitioners was also a priority, though not specifically mentioned in the GreeNDP agreement.•
