1. Caylee Kreller Master of Integrated Arts Final Thesis October 28, 2017
Bridging the Gap : An Examination into the Relationship Between Indigenous Students & Private Career Colleges in Alberta
Caylee Kreller
Master of Integrated Arts Final Thesis
October 28, 2017

2. Equity in Education: A Social Justice Perspective
The Purpose of Education "Education is part of being a global citizen and is necessary for the empowerment of individuals in order to reduce systematic oppression" (Baker, 2004, 141).

3. Four Major Issues
1) Equality in Resources 2) Respect and Recognition 3) Equality in Power 4) Love, Care and Solidarity

4. Private Career Colleges in Alberta
Over 150 PCC institutions in Alberta
16,000 graduates in 2014/2015
4/5 graduates were female vs. 1/5 male
Average age range is 31-40
1/5 students live in rural areas
47% had 1 or more dependents
87% employment rate after graduation
$26,742 is the average debt load at graduation
$44,791 annual total income among 2013/2014 graduates
93% felt qualified for their main job
69% of Aboriginal graduates had a grade 12 education upon entrance vs 81% of non-Aboriginal students
7% of graduates self-identify as Aboriginal (48% Status Indian / 38% Metis) vs. 4% at larger public institutions
Alberta Advanced Education- highlights for PVT schools 2013/2014
Advanced Education Annual Report 2015/2016

5. Distinctions & Benefits
Two critical distinctions from publicly funded institutions:
1) Length of programs
2) Student demographics
Benefits:
PCC's are heavily regulated by the province
Increased regulations means students are monitored closely on a daily basis
Students need to demonstrate high school equivalency or less for entrance
Students do not have to spend time or money upgrading
Smaller class sizes means increased personalized attention
Focused on specific skills training

6. Indigenous Students in Alberta
Many of the barriers facing marginalized PCC student populations are similar to the barriers Indigenous students face when trying to obtain post secondary education.
Examining the issues:
Legacy of distrust for the educational system due to historical practices/assimilation
Lack of preparation for university
Social discrimination, isolation, and loneliness
Lack of respect for Aboriginal culture
Significant family demands that act as financial/time restraints
Quoted from Best Practices in Increasing Aboriginal Postsecondary Enrollment Rates, The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC)

7. Aboriginal Student Fact Sheet
47% of Aboriginal people in Alberta aged have a certificate, diploma, or degree
30.4% do not have a certificate, diploma or degree
23% have high school or equivalent
3.1% have a university certificate or diploma below the bachelor level
8.5% have certificate, diploma, or degree at the bachelor level or higher
The median income for Aboriginal populations without post secondary education was $15,000
For those with a credential, the yearly income increased to $34,000
Aboriginal Peoples: Fact Sheet for Alberta, Statistics Canada, 2016

8. How do we foster meaningful relationships? Areas for further research
Where do we go from here?
How do we foster meaningful relationships?
Areas for further research

9. Works cited
Alberta Advanced Education. (2017). Graduate Outcomes Survey: Class of 2013/2014 Highlights for Private Vocational training Institutions. 1-2.
Arriagada, Paula. (2016). Aboriginal Peoples: Fact Sheet for Alberta. Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division. Canada. 1-8.
Baker, John. et al., (2004). "Equality: From Theory to Action." New York: Palgrave MacMillan.
Davis, Barry. (2017). Alberta Advanced Education: Alberta Graduate Outcomes Survey, Class of 2013/2014 Private Vocational Training Institutions Report. Edmonton: Ledger, The Research Intelligence Group
R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. (2002). Best Practices in Increasing Aboriginal Postsecondary Enrolment Rates (Prepared for the Council of Ministers in Education, Canada CMEC)