Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education is developing a new private career college registry, following an increase in student complaints about shady diploma mills operating in the province.
The Alberta government said the effort will help hold post-secondary institutions accountable.
A March 31 news release from the Alberta government reads, “Albert’s government is taking action to protect students by holding private career colleges accountable if they are not following legislative requirements or failing to meet their licensing obligations.”
Jeff Loomis, the executive director of Momentum, said that “a searchable online registry is a welcome change that can help improve student outcomes.”
“This change makes it easier for students to find out if a college is breaking the rules. Students need transparent information on private career college costs and performance to make informed decisions on the schools and programs to attend,” said Loomis.
Local Canadian students have fallen victim to private colleges selling degree programs with limited or no credibility, these institutions are known as ‘diploma mills’.
Diploma mills have received renewed attention due to institutions conspiring to abuse the international student visa system, by offering their study programs to both willing and oblivious students in order to gain a visa to enter Canada.
Colleges that carry a registered student population higher than the expected capacity have been highlighted by the provincial government for potential violations.
The Alberta news statement mentions 15 institutions by name that the Ministry of Advanced Education has issued compliance orders to, suspecting possible rule-breaking.
The ministry has already taken action against institutions that have broken provincial rules by revoking the private vocational training licences of two institutions while revoking the financial aid eligibility of five other schools. Last year the government revoked the status of AGA Academy, Capstone Edge College, Hamptons College and Peerless Training Institute.
