A Provincial Tuition Waiver (PTW) Program implemented in 2017 has helped over 800 former youth in care enroll in post-secondary educations across the province, some of whom are studying at Okanagan College.

OC is one of the 25 public post-secondary institutions in BC with students benefitting from the program.

Photo Credit: BC Gov't

It helps former youth in care, who make up approximately 7,500 children and youth in the province, transition into post-secondary by waiving the daunting price of tuition and mandatory fees.

“We look forward to helping as many former youth in care as possible access higher learning at Okanagan College and find pathways into the world,” says Okanagan College President, Jim Hamilton.

“This is an exciting initiative that is yielding results.”

File Photo

Since its launch in 2017, the program has increased by 326% with 806 students benefitting from the program while studying in various disciplines across the province.

According to the latest labour market projections, post-secondary education is a necessity.

Projections suggest that almost 80% of the 903,000 jobs that are anticipated to be created or open in BC between 2019 and 2028 will require a post-secondary education.

To learn more about the PTW program, click here.