The B.C. government has announced a new post-secondary school campus will be built in Langford, which will be a partnership between four schools.
Royal Roads University, the University of Victoria, Camosun College and the Justice Institute of British Columbia will be offering a variety of programs at the new campus at 798 Goldstream Ave., scheduled to open in fall 2024.
The total cost is estimated at $ 98 million, with the province committing $77.8 million. RRU is investing $19 million, UVic $1 million and $200,000 will be coming from Camosun.
The Province of BC, Royal Roads University and the City of Langford all contributing funds to the new campus.
— April Lawrence (@AprilCHEK) August 3, 2022
Additionally, the City of Langford has committed $27.5 million to invest in parking for the campus and to make road infrastructure upgrades. This money will also include $1.5 million in funding over 10 years to support the Innovation Studio.
“This investment is so important for students,” said Philip Steenkamp, president, Royal Roads University, on behalf of the partner institutions. “As we see many more people looking for post-secondary training, this campus will allow us and our partners to offer an expanded suite of options for learners at every age and stage.”
Courses offered at the college will include business, hospitality, environmental practice and communications studies from RRU, UVic will offer computer science, engineering and humanities courses, Camosun College will offer health-care assistant and educational assistant training, and JIBC will offer paramedic and first-responder training.
Adult upgrading and education programs will also be offered from School District 62.
“This unique and innovative campus is a fantastic example of post-secondary institutions collaborating to invest in students, and the programs and infrastructure they need to be future ready for their careers,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training.
“This new model brings the strengths of four post-secondary institutions closer to people so that they can pursue the education they need to help build a stronger B.C.”
This project is being done, in part, to address the West Shore’s direct-to-post-secondary transition rates which are lower than the provincial average. The West Shore has a 38 per cent transition rate, compared to the provincial average at 51 per cent. Residents have cited the long commute as one of the barriers to pursuing a post-secondary education.
“As a high school student in Langford, we’re faced with quite a long commute if we want to go to school at UVic or at Camosun, and that can really affect our decision with what school we go to,” said Connor Hogan, student, Belmont High school. “When this new campus opens up, it will definitely help open some doors for us to study where we are, close to home.”
By the 2035-2036 school year, the campus is expected to have an estimated 1,300 full-time students enrolled.
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