Education and Training
Top Quality Public Education
High school students in British Columbia receive a first-rate education to prepare them for jobs or advanced training. Our youth achieve high scores in international assessments of core skills. For example, in the most recent OECD review, B.C. students placed in the top three per cent for science amongst all jurisdictions evaluated.
Performance of International Youth in Science, Reading and Math
Index of average scores (British Columbia=100)
| British Columbia |
100.00 |
| Canada |
99.80 |
| US |
94.06 |
| UK |
94.7 |
| OECD Average |
94.1 |
Training Smart, Tech-Savvy Workers
B.C.’s 25 publicly funded post-secondary institutions – 11 universities, 11 colleges and three institutes – offer over 1,900 programs, producing a wealth of skill and talent. B.C. universities consistently receive high marks in the World University rankings, with the University of B.C. placing 44th in the world in 2010.
- 41 per cent of British Columbia employees have a post-secondary education, and more than 24 per cent hold a university degree.
- British Columbia’s universities award over 26,000 degrees annually – 32 per cent in sciences and engineering, and 10 per cent in business.
- In 2008 -2009, over 5,600 technology and technical credentials were awarded by the B.C. Institute of Technology. More than 21,000 post-secondary credentials were granted by other institutions.
- The B.C. training tax credit is expected to create 7,000 new apprenticeship spaces for skilled trades workers by the end of 2010.
- Over the past eight years, 36,700 new post-secondary student spaces and 2,500 graduate student spaces have been added to meet future skill demands.
- In addition, $1.8 billion has been committed to improve campuses, and $1.7 billion has been committed for research and innovation.