1. Government – A Key External Factor
What To Do About It.
Jim Reed, BCCP President
Feb. 2, 2004

2. Proactive and Strategic
Two Options
Reactive and Tactical
Proactive and Strategic

3. Reactive & Tactical Characterized by:
Short notice to changes in funding, policy or program offerings
No awareness or information within the college system on emerging government positions
Lack of coordination between institutions, departments, programs
Individual, ad hoc response to shifts in policy

4. Characterized by: Proactive & Strategic
A well informed public, government and key stakeholders of system’s priorities
System and institutions informed on emerging government policy
Vision and strategies are clear, focused, understood and supported
Institution or system seen as a leader

5. Get Organized Organize & coordinate advocacy
BC’s colleges have attempted to organize itself collectively from AECBC to COP – limited success
Applies to the institution the same way as the college system
Agreed set of strategic priorities, supported and advocated by all

6. Establishing A Context
The platform or mandate of government
Determine the key factors influencing government strategy
The strategic direction of government
e.g. BC Liberals 2000 New Era Document
The priorities of Ministry responsible

7. BCCP: Current Organization
The BCCP formed in Summer 2002
A consortium of the presidents of 11 colleges and Aboriginal Institutes
To advance college system’s strategy on policy and funding
“United we have influence – divided we are marginal”

8. Developing BCCP Strategic Direction
Determine drivers of government policy: Four key documents (BC)
New Era
Core Review
Government Fiscal Framework
AVED Service Plan

9. Developing BCCP Strategic Direction
Established a Strategic Government Relations Plan
Obtained consensus on vital few things (core strategies)
Getting everybody to work from the same page
Targeted advocacy in priority areas (3 to 4 strategies or themes)

10. Developing BCCP Strategic Direction
What it contains
Aligning BCCP priorities with government’s priorities
Creating awareness and productive government relations
External relations and strategic alliances
Information and communications
Establishing structure and processes for government relations

11. 2003/2004 BCCP Priorities System capacity and sustainability
Mandate & role
Increasing access for students to post secondary education
Trades training

12. BCCP Experience 2003/2004 Results
Consortium focused on strategic priorities
Targeted budget reduction (2.5% cut) for 2003/04 eliminated
Year-end 2003/04 funds disbursed to member institutions
Coordinated system response to policy, funding and program issues

13. Factors Effecting Government & Colleges 2004/05
Significant skills shortage facing BC
Approximately 300K job openings to 2011 – educated by public post secondary education
Increasing demand for access to post secondary education
18-29 cohort
Older than 29 cohort

14. Factors Effecting Government & Colleges 2004/05
2010 Olympics
Need for educated or skilled workforce
Need for services
Balanced budget for 2004/05
Targeted 3% reduction in operating budget
Heartlands Strategy

15. BCCP Response to 2004/05
Three year budget submission to Government 2004/05 to 2006/07
2004/05 budget / strategic priorities
Capacity
Scope & quality of opportunities to learn
Human Resource development for BC

16. Summary of BCCP Request
We challenge government to invest more in colleges
More funding per year to colleges to respond to growth in 18 to 29 & >29 cohort (1200 FTE/year) plus closure of demand/supply gap
Expand capital for new facilities and to adapt existing facilities

17. Summary of BCCP Request
New funding targeted at learning and innovation – supporting business/industry/educational partnerships
Adjustment to funding mechanisms that recognize production costs in regions with low population (rural) are necessarily greater than high population density regions

18. Summary of BCCP Request
Improve student financial assistance programs
Protect efficiency of transfer system through increase in upper division capacity at universities preferentially over increases in lower division
Target growth in 1st & 2nd year through colleges

19. Lessons Learned The collective has more influence
A proactive & strategic approach works
Establish & maintain relationships with key stakeholders
It’s not a science – but it is an art!

20. Jim Reed, BCCP President jimreed@synachor.com
Thank you!
Jim Reed, BCCP President