Private career colleges

Overview

Vocational training programs span a wide range of occupations, such as office administration, IT support, hairstyling and health care aide. These programs are designed to teach students the specific skills required for particular jobs.

In Alberta, private career colleges are privately owned businesses that require a licence to provide vocational training programs to the public.

Private vocational training legislation and licences

Alberta’s Private Vocational Training Act and Regulation:

• require vocational training programs that cost more than $1,000 to be licensed
• allow privately owned institutions to be part of the province’s post-secondary system
• provide consumer protection to students enrolled in licensed programs

Licensees must ensure the programs they offer meet industry standards and provide students with the knowledge and skills required for success in the workplace.

View the legislation:

• Private Vocational Training Act
• Private Vocational Training Regulation

Find out how to obtain a vocational training program licence:

• Apply for a career training licence

Find a private career college

Alberta maintains the Private Career College Registry, a public registry that allows users to search licensed vocational training programs at privately owned institutions.

Users can filter the registry by:

• college name
• license status (active, stop order, or suspended)
• program name
• program location (city)
• program length
• a combination of the above elements

Access the registry

Admission requirements

Admission requirements and enrolment dates vary by licensed program and private career college. Training is typically offered in cohorts that begin at various times throughout the year. For specific details, contact the private career colleges you are considering.

Find out what to consider before you enrol in a private vocational training program:

• Student rights and responsibilities

Eligibility for student aid

Some licensed vocational training programs may be eligible for provincial and/or federal student aid. Private career colleges are not automatically designated for student aid and must apply for this designation after they are licensed.

Learn more about student aid eligibility:

• Eligibility for Student Aid

International students

Canadian study permits are only provided to students enrolled in designated learning institutions. Private career colleges are not automatically designated learning institutions and must apply for this designation after they are licensed.

Program reporting and inspections

Annual reporting

Private career colleges submit annual reports to government, including data on:

• student graduation
• job placement
• student enrolment
• student withdrawals

If a program does not maintain graduation and job placement rates above 70% for 4 consecutive reporting periods, that program's licence could be suspended or cancelled.

Compliance inspections

Inspectors can collect a wide range of records to verify that the licensee complies with:

• Private Vocational Training Act and Regulation
• terms and conditions of licensing
• student enrolment contract

Inspectors may inspect any premises where licensed vocational training is provided and interview staff and students. Desk reviews may also be conducted to ensure licensees are compliant, and students are protected from false and misleading practices.

Find out more about career college accountability and reporting:

• Reporting and compliance – Private career colleges

More vocational training opportunities

Vocational training is also available at publicly funded post-secondary institutions. For more information, see:

• Types of publicly funded institutions