“Improving affordability and access are two priorities that our Federation wants to see addressed by the major parties in the up-coming provincial election,” said Cindy Oliver, President of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators. “The platform document released by the NDP shows some important commitments by that party to address those priorities,” Oliver added.

“The platform document identifies a number of ways in which affordability will be addressed. We are glad to see that their commitment to making tuition fees more affordable includes measures to protect provincial operating grants to post-secondary institutions. We also think the measures to cut interest rates on student loans and establish an Independent Financial Review Office are positive steps in the direction of improved affordability,” Oliver noted.

“We are encouraged by the commitment to trades training and apprenticeship programs. Over 90 percent of those programs are delivered by the public post-secondary institutions and the steps outlined in this document will help open the door to more students interested in a career in trades,” Oliver said. “The recent Auditor General’s report on the Industry Training Authority (ITA) showed serious problems in BC’s system of trades training and apprenticeships. The measures outlined today will help address some of those shortcomings,” Oliver concluded.