A Step Forward for Students: Celebrating Amendments to Protect Private Career College Learners in Alberta

UPDATE: On November 19th Bill 3 – Private Vocational Training Amendment Act passed its third reading in the Alberta Legislature. This achievement is the ultimate policy success, from community advocacy to legislation change. In the legislature government officials celebrated and applauded the work Momentum and others have contributed to helping raise awareness of the issues and concerns with PCCs noting that this legislation would not have happened without community voice.

The Minister of Advanced Education, Myles McDougall shared “I agree with the member opposite that, you know, Momentum did a really good job of bringing to our attention the kinds of issues that were taking place [at PCCs]”.

We are grateful to the Ministry of Advanced Education and to the team at the Private Career College Branch for recognizing the importance of this issue. We also want to thank our fellow non-profit advocates and our generous donors — especially the Calgary Foundation and the Max Bell Foundation — for their steadfast support in helping make these changes a reality for students across Alberta. Most of all, we extend heartfelt appreciation to the students who bravely shared their stories. Your courage made this moment possible

What others are saying

• Government of Alberta News Release: Protecting Students, building confidence
• CTV News: UCP introduces bill to regulate private vocational colleges
• CBC News: Alberta government introduces stricter rules for private career colleges
• LiveWire: Alberta introduces new rules for private career colleges
• Education News Canada: Alberta is proposing updates to the rules for private career colleges to better protect students and ensure programs prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow

What’s next? Once Bill 3 becomes a law the Government will have to work on the regulations and enforcement. Momentum will continue to work with students, community advocates, and the government to inform and influence regulations.

What to learn more? Reach out to us at publicpolicy@momentum.org

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On October 28, 2025, the province announced proposed legislative amendments designed to strengthen protections for students and enhance accountability for private career colleges. These amendments include:

• Setting clear standards for how students are recruited, and limiting financial incentives tied to recruitment
• Making information about private career colleges and their programs publicly available so students can clearly understand the program offerings, costs, employment and graduation rates, and any compliance issues 
• Setting clearer standards on who can start or operate a private career college, and clearer standards on program quality
• Providing stronger enforcement tools to ensure private career colleges and their programs are meeting quality standards
• Allowing the government to have stronger controls and providing them with ability to step in when schools aren’t doing things properly

For many people across Alberta, education represents hope. It’s the promise of a better job, increased income, and a pathway to stability and independence. At Momentum, we work every day with people who are eager to train for a good job and grow their income and assets. For many, getting an education at a private career college sounds like the perfect solution, but not all education has led to opportunity. In fact, for many, private career college programs have been a very real gamble.

With more than 200 private career colleges in Alberta and 25,000 learners annually, this industry is vital to skills and employment training in our province. From truck driving to machine operators, to hairstyling and medical office assistants, students are working hard to get ahead—yet many end up on a path to nowhere with tens of thousands of dollars in debt due to poor quality private career colleges in our province. 

This is not just policy. This is about real people. We think of students who have trusted us with their stories so that no one else would have to walk the same painful path. 

Ausie, a recently arrived refugee, believed she was gaining specialized training, only to learn she had been signed up for a $9,000 loan at 30% interest—without her understanding at the time. Stories like hers are real, painful, and far too common. Read more stories from real students in our recent report.

Today, there is reason to feel encouraged.

These proposed changes have teeth. They raise the bar. They make it possible for a student to compare programs confidently and to ask better questions. They give recourse to a student who gets tangled up with a bad actor and enable the government to take action against those bad actors.