Learning Programs Branch

The Learning Programs Branch provides direction, leadership and support to Aboriginal education, developmental programs and international education.

Aboriginal education initiatives are designed to increase access, retention and participation of Aboriginal learners. These include:

• Hosting an annual Aboriginal post-secondary forum to consult with partners and stakeholders across B.C. on Aboriginal post-secondary education
• Providing Aboriginal special project funding to help public post-secondary institutions promote culturally sensitive educational programs and support activities for Aboriginal learners
• Policy development, including development of an Aboriginal post-secondary education strategy, to address the challenges and barriers faced by Aboriginal learners.

Developmental programs are for adults who are not ready to enter an academic or career program at a public post-secondary college or institute. Developmental programs delivered in the public post-secondary education system include:

• Adult basic education, which provides upgrading courses that will enable students to qualify for academic or career programs of their choice
• Adult special education, for students with permanent disabilities or combinations of learning difficulties that hinder their success in regular post-secondary program offerings
• English as a second language programs, which provide language instruction to people whose first language is not English to help them graduate from high school, find jobs, and/or take vocational, career/technical and academic programs
• Adult literacy, including the community adult literacy program, which provides funding to public post-secondary education institutions and community agencies to enhance adult literacy activities in B.C.

International education is increasingly being recognized as an important economic sector in addition to its educational and social benefits. The branch’s responsibilities include:

• Consulting with institutions and other stakeholders to promote international education and support internationalizing the curriculum
• Addressing policy issues related to international education to enhance B.C.'s comparative advantage
• Developing international relationships that underpin increased educational co-operation internationally
• Marketing, promotion and trade shows to increase international education activity.

Liaises with:

Aboriginal

• B.C. Ministry of Education - Aboriginal Education
• B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Adult basic education

• Ministry of Education - Adult Graduation Program
• Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program

English as a second language

• Ministry of Attorney General - Settlement and Immigrant Division
• Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks

Adult special education

• Disability Services Network
• Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities Annual Report

Literacy

• National Literacy Secretariat
• Literacy BC

International education

• British Columbia Centre for International Education
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Contact details:

Branch Phone Directory