Aboriginal postsecondary students
are making inroads in
all areas
Government and post-secondary institutions’ efforts to attract and retain Aboriginal
students are beginning to achieve promising
results, as Aboriginal post-secondary students
are making inroads in all areas. At the college
level, they’re gaining greater representation
in many of the trades, and at the university
level (undergraduate and graduate), they’ve
entered most faculties—including applied
sciences, arts and social sciences, business,
communications, technology, education,
and health sciences.26
While Aboriginal students still comprise a
small share of total post-secondary graduates,
their numbers are growing. Between 20052006 and 2011-2012, the number of postsecondary credentials awarded to Aboriginal
students in BC rose from 2,10027 to 3,010.28
These credentials include diplomas, certificates, and university degrees. The provincial
government’s Aboriginal Post-Secondary
Education and Training Policy Framework
and Action Plan aims to boost this number
to 4,609 by 2020/2021.29
Engagement in the labour force
As the number of Aboriginal post-secondary graduates rises in BC, so too will the number of
economic opportunities available to them.
On completion of post-secondary education, a large percentage of Aboriginal graduates stay
and work in the urban areas where they grew up.30 Some, however, return to live and work
on their home reserves, and some move to rural areas for work separate from their home communities. Their occupations are similarly diverse. Many First Nations university graduates
have arts degrees, giving them a range of options in the workforce.31 Others choose to work in
education, health care, law, public service, and the criminal justice system, while some start
their own businesses.
YOU SEE A DREAM PROPERTY
we see its
real value
Want to know the value of a property before buying or
selling? Bring an AIC-designated appraiser on board
to help make your investment decision. AACI and CRA
appraisers are real estate experts, providing reliable,
independent and unbiased appraisals on all property
types based on current and emerging market trends.
When property is involved, involve us.
Ministry of Advanced Education,
26
Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and
Training Policy Framework and Action
Plan – 2020 Vision for the Future, 2012.
(aved.gov.bc.ca/aboriginal/policyframework.htm).
27
Census Canada data cited in the
Government of British Columbia’s
Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and
Training Policy Framework and Action
Plan.
Ministry of Advanced Education,
28
Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and
Training Policy Framework & Action Plan.
Ibid.
29
Author interview with representative of
30
SFU Office for Aboriginal Peoples, Simon
Fraser University, conducted in May 2015.
Ibid.
31
Valuations appraisal reView Consulting
Feasibility studies due diligenCe
Find a real estate appraiser in your area by visiting online now.
aicanada.ca/British-columbia
CPABC in Focus • Nov/Dec 2015 23