Alberta Tightens Private Career College Rules

Summary#

This bill updates Alberta’s rules for private career colleges. It aims to protect students, raise program quality, and make schools more transparent. It adds a new registration system for schools, keeps program licensing, and creates a Student Protection Fund for refunds.

• Creates a Student Protection Fund so students can get fee refunds when required.
• Requires schools to register as institutions and also hold licences for each program.
• Sets rules for clear student contracts and lets the government publish information about schools.
• Regulates third‑party recruiters and strengthens inspection and enforcement powers.
• Recognizes in‑person, online, and hybrid training, and allows standards for program quality and credential names.
• Requires approval before a change in control of a school’s ownership; otherwise, registration and licences are suspended.

What it means for you#

• Students and prospective students

  • You must sign a student contract before training starts. The contract must follow set rules.
  • A Student Protection Fund will help ensure you get refunds of fees when the law says you should.
  • Courses and credentials may have standard names, making it easier to compare programs.
  • The government may publish school information to help you make informed choices.
  • Your rights under this law cannot be waived by the school.

• Private career colleges (schools)

  • You must register as an institution and also get licences for each program you offer.
  • You must post your registration certificate and licences where people can see them.
  • You must pay into the Student Protection Fund; late or missed payments can lead to interest and penalties.
  • If you use third‑party recruiters or agents, you must follow new recruitment rules.
  • Inspectors can enter your campus during business hours, review and retain records, and speak with staff.
  • If ownership control changes, you need prior approval. Without it, your registration and licences are suspended.
  • You may be required to publish certain information, and the Director can publish information about your school.
  • Existing licensees are automatically deemed registered to ease the transition.

• Instructors and recruiters

  • Instructors must meet qualifications set in regulation.
  • Third‑party recruiters (including paid agents) will be regulated, affecting how you market and enroll students.

• Employers

  • More consistent program standards and credential naming may improve clarity about graduate skills.
  • The bill encourages programs to align with Alberta’s labour market needs.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Strengthens student protection through required contracts, a refund fund, and tougher oversight.
• Improves quality and consistency by allowing standard program and credential requirements.
• Increases transparency so students and employers can compare schools and programs.
• Aligns training with labour market needs, helping fill skills gaps faster.
• Curbs misleading marketing by regulating third‑party recruiters.
• Speeds action against bad actors with clearer stop‑order powers and stronger inspection tools.

Opponents' View#

• Adds red tape and costs for schools (registration plus licensing, fund payments, admin fees), which could raise tuition.
• Smaller providers may struggle with compliance and cash flow, risking program cuts or closures.
• Gives the government broad discretion over standards and publications, which some see as overreach.
• Delays and limits in appealing stop orders (minimum court wait increased from 2 to 10 days, narrower evidence) may reduce due‑process protections for schools.
• Change‑of‑control approval could slow investment, mergers, or succession planning.
• Publishing information about schools could harm reputations before issues are fully resolved.