Formal education broadens employment opportunities, while lifelong learning speaks to our curiosity and openness as a community. Understanding how we learn can help direct resources and innovate new teaching types and tools.

High school graduation

Things are improving, but our youth are still struggling to graduate from high school. In the 2007/08 and 2009/10 school years, 35.2% of 18 year olds did not graduate, compared to the provincial average of 29.0% for that period. More than 50% of the students enrolled in grade 12 did not write or did not pass the provincial English exam in 2007/08–2009/10, notably higher than the provincial non-completion rate of 32.7%.

Education

In 2001, 28.6% of residents between 25 and 64 had not graduated from high school, but by 2006 that figure was down to 15%. This is still higher than the BC-wide average of 12.4%, but we’re well on our way to closing the gap.

Post-secondary education

Powell Riverites like to make things, fix things, and we tend to be good with our hands. In 2006, 37% of the working age population (15 and older) had a post-secondary diploma or a trades’ certificate, which is higher than the BC average of 33%. Even so, we have lots of room to grow in our pursuit of knowledge. For the same period, the working age population with a university degree was 11%, lower than the 19% provincial average.

Composite Learning Index

Although some of us struggle through high school, we seem to love learning. The Composite Learning Index (CLI) measures lifelong learning by combining various indicators including learning in school, in the home, at work, and within the community. Powell River had an overall CLI score of 83 in 2010, easily exceeding both the national score of 75 and the provincial score of 78.

From the survey:

How do you rate the community’s commitment to see that everyone gets the skills and support they need to reach a good level of literacy and education?

How do you rate the availability of library and learning facilities?

The majority rated the space and facilities as fair or worse—except on Texada, where a significant number of residents rated the facilities there as good.

What you think about learning:

Build a new library and cultural centre. Invest in community literacy initiatives. • We have an excellent school system, a new library would be nice.• Employers and families should promote education. • Help for those who fall between the cracks. • Adult literacy is crucial. • Engage families. Address the gap between on & off reserve children through cultural and community oriented programs. • Publicize literacy help in ways that don’t involve people having to read. • New library, a positive learning environment. • Better elementary schools, better library. • Get the new library built as part of a thriving community centre. Expand the courses at university level. • More funding to education. • A new library, one that’s easily accessible to all. • Extended library hours, more programs for the illiterate/barely literate. • New library and better support for learning disabilities. • Foster a yearning to learn.

Know someone who needs support?

The Powell River Literacy Council promotes awareness of the importance of literacy for all citizens, regardless of age. They run a variety of campaigns, including Heroes Read, BookCrossing and the Read program, and they promote local services, programs and events.

Library use and space

Check this out: we have one of the smallest public library spaces per capita in BC (only Fraser Lake and Fort St. John have less space), and yet we are avid library users. In 2010 there were 138,804 visits to the Powell River library. That’s about 6.75 visits per year for every person in Powell River, similar to the provincial average. Annual 2010 circulation was 8.6 items per person, well below the provincial average of 12.9 Makes you wonder if lack of space to display and grow our collection could be an impediment.

High speed internet access

Is our population patient enough to put up with dial-up internet—or is it that we’re patiently waiting for high-speed internet infrastructure? According to the Composite Learning Index survey in 2008, access to broadband internet was 87.8% for the City of Powell River, 0% for Area A (North), 98.5% for Area B (Paradise Valley), 47.7% for Area C (South) and 0% for Texada (Area D).