High Hopes, High Costs: Protecting Student Consumers at Private Career Colleges

Author

Kelly Dowdell; Lucy Janzen; Courtney Mo; Lisa Caton; Jeff Loomis; Greg Quan Chan;

Organization

Momentum

Published

2022

Summary

Private career colleges (PCCs) offer career-focused training to students seeking new skills required fort he job market. They offer learners convenience, flexibility, smaller class sizes and intensive, short-duration programs to enhance their practical skills and become more competitive in the job market.

There are 1,300 registered PCCs in Canada that operate along a spectrum, many of them are many responsible and reputable institutions that fill an important niche in the adult education and training ecosystem. However, others engage in problematic practices that put students at risk of serious financial strain.

This report identifies the risks that PCC students face and proposes consumer protection policy recommendations to make this training pathway a safer choice for all student consumers.

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database