Pitt Meadows politicians are expressing frustration that there will be no post-secondary education facilities coming to Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows in the near future.
The results of a post-secondary feasibility study did not bring good news for those who wanted to see a college serving the two cities.
“I have to say I am somewhat disappointed,” said Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald at the Feb. 10 council meeting.
She said the report offers “Band-Aids for the real issue,” – the problem that students from School District 42 face barriers to post-secondary education.
“What was really disappointing is that really the economic feasibility seemed to be the driving force behind this feasibility study, basically saying ‘Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge, there’s no money for it from the higher levels of government,’” added MacDonald.
She highlighted the first line in the report: “The Ridge-Meadows area is one of the fastest-growing regions in Metro Vancouver, yet it remains one of the few communities in the Lower Mainland without a public post-secondary education campus that offers a broad range of programs.”
The study reported a lower rate of Ridge Meadows students enrolled in post-secondary institutions compared to the provincial average. In Ridge Meadows, 24 per cent of those aged 18-29 were enrolled in post-secondary, compared with a provincial average of 35 per cent. This was calculated for the years 2016-17 to 2020-21. The report pegged the unmet need at 1,775 students, based on numbers from five years ago.
The report also noted the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School district is one of just 10 in B.C. without a public post-secondary campus offering a range of programming. Most of the others are rural or remote, with comparatively small enrolment numbers. School District 42 is by far the largest, notes the report.
“This is not an issue or need that’s going away,” said MacDonald.
Coun. Alison Evans called the results of the study “heartbreaking,” with suggestions for shuttling students rather than building a new facility.
She said the region is also under served by public transit, and said she heard from a student who said he will need to spend 2.5 hours to get to university.
“Hugely disappointing – hoping we can look to the province to invest in Pitt Meadows,” said Evans.
The report said the current financial situation of the post-secondary sector makes investment to address this demonstrated need challenging.
Options such as shuttles, apprentice training in K-12 facilities, and increasing promotion of blended programs would help students access post-secondary without creating new facilities, and were promoted in the report. It said a small learning centre with integrated supports for mature learners would help to demonstrate local demand for a campus.
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy was also aware of the findings, and said the city is developing a response.
“The City of Maple Ridge has a long history of advocating for post-secondary education to serve our rapidly growing community,” he said. “We provided input to this study and we have been engaged in advocacy to the Province on this issue, with the goal of having facilities located here in our community.
“While I appreciate there are factors impacting the post-secondary sector at this time, there remains a need for higher education and skills training to ensure Maple Ridge has a future-ready workforce to support economic growth.”
A copy of the report was sent to Pitt Meadows council from Jamie Edwardson, executive director, strategic policy and initiatives with the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
“The report identifies 12 potential options to improve access to post-secondary education for residents of Ridge Meadows,” wrote Edwardson. “The options for consideration span a range of approaches, costs, and anticipated impacts. The Ministry encourages all interested organizations to consider their opportunities to improve access to post-secondary education for local residents.
“The Ministry will consider the report’s findings, assessing sustainability, regional and economic benefits, and alignment with the broader goals of British Columbia’s post-secondary system.”
The study was conducted by Kwantlen Polytechnic University in collaboration with Douglas College, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, and the University of the Fraser Valley, with funding from the Province.