The Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) announced the immediate closing of the Vancouver Institute of Professional Management (VIPM) yesterday, citing both financial and curriculum infractions as the cause.
According to the PCTIA, the regulatory body in change of overseeing private career colleges in B.C., the school was unable to meet basic education requirements for its students such as failing to deliver expected co-op placements.
The school was also charging students for two years' tuition in advance. In B.C., a private career college can only charge for one year's tuition at a time.
"The decision to close the Vancouver Institute of Professional Management has been made to protect the students of the institution and the reputation and quality of all registered private career training institutions operating in B.C.," said Karen Kirkpatrick, PCTIA registrar and CEO.
In the case of school closure, the PCTIA has established a fund that can be used to cover tuition costs at another institution or provide a refund to students.
"The students are our priority and we will do everything to assist them," added Kirkpatrick.
"This closure will affect approximately 24 students currently enrolled in VIPM's post diploma in business and management and post diploma in health care and social care management [programs]. We will work closely with other institutions to transition the students who wish to continue their studies to similar programs with as little interruption as possible."
The PCTIA is a Crown Corporation operating under the purview of the provincial Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology. All private career training institutions with tuition fees more than $1,000 and more than 40 hours of course time are required to be registered with the PCTIA.
Currently, there are more than 320 registered private career colleges in B.C.
