The Manitoba government is making it easier for students to make informed decisions about their education choices by requiring private post-secondary institutions to be more transparent with information and reporting, with the modernization of the Private Vocational Institutions Act. The new act came into effect on January 1, 2024.

“Private vocational institutions are a vital part of the post-secondary education system and play a critical role in Manitoba’s workforce development by offering convenient, flexible and career-focused training,” said Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable. “These changes will reduce unnecessary administrative requirements for institutions and enable them to focus on delivering quality, relevant skills programming that will benefit students.”

The updated PVI Regulation, under the PVI Act, better reflects the interests of institutions, while ensuring that students can make more informed decisions. The revisions were developed following a comprehensive public and stakeholder engagement process and include:

  • requiring private vocational institutions to publicly disclose key information including program dates, fees, and relevant institutional policies;
  • simplifying registration and reporting policies and processes;
  • introducing key performance indicators with new compliance measures; and
  • enabling educational institutions to focus on skills training needed in Manitoba’s economy.

“This change underscores the commitment of the Manitoba government to educational excellence and collaborative governance,” said Robin Day, president, Manitoba Association of Career Colleges. “In close consultation with the Manitoba Association of Career Colleges and extensive dialogues with numerous career colleges across our province, we have sculpted a forward-thinking framework that not only establishes robust standards, but also champions the pivotal role of career colleges in nurturing the goals and dreams of our students. This is more than a regulatory update; it is a testament to our collective vision of empowering each student to realize their dreams and fortify our community’s future.”

Private vocational institutions offer employment training in a wide range of occupational fields. Programs may be taught in the classroom, through practicums, by distance education or correspondence, or through a combination of these methods.

“Because of the changes to the PVI Act and regulation around transparency, I trust the college more and feel more secure about the program I am taking,” said Juwairiya Khan, pharmacy technician student, Robertson College.

Currently, more than 58 private vocational institutions operate in Manitoba and more than 4,000 students attend these schools each year.

The PVI Act governs private vocational institutions, which register programs with the Manitoba government to ensure accountability and compliance. The act has not been updated since 2002.