1. Faculty of Arts
Introduction to selected topics in Environmental Scan

2. Higher Education Trends – Millennials & Generation Z
Two generations comprise the majority of new post-secondary students: millennials and Generation Z.
See EAB infographic: Who are the Millennials?
Generation Z learners are concerned about education and employment, but are skeptical about the cost and value of higher education.
Born with technology between mid-1990s and roughly 2012 have just started coming to college or university
Loyal, compassionate, and open-minded;
Crave predictability & order
Determined, innovative, entrepreneurial
Concerned about education , employment but skeptical about cost and value of higher ed
In contrast to Millennials, Generation Z is not as motivated by money on the job.
Society for College and University Planning. (2016). Are you prepared for tomorrow's students? Trends for Higher Education.

3. Higher Education Trends – Online Learning
US online education market size and 2020 projections
According to a study by Eduventures Insights, Innovation in educational technology is expected to increase market share; 20% of US students are expected to be learning online by 2020
Decreased enrolment in Education and Teaching programs; increases in Computers & IT over the last 2 years
Open Educational Resources
MOOCs

4. Non-Traditional Students – the new norm?
Independent for financial aid purposes
Having one or more dependents
Being a single caregiver
Not having a traditional high school diploma
Delaying postsecondary enrolment
Attending school part time
Being employed full time

5. Labour Market 934,000 BC job openings 2015-2025
36% of the jobs will require a university credential and/or significant work experience and 42% will require a diploma, certificate or apprenticeship
Canadian employment rates improving
Increased need for trades
“NEETs” – non-educated, non-working youth: 13% of Canadians age are neither employed nor in education or training

6. Immediate High School Transition
82% of SD 73 graduates who immediately transitioned to PSE chose TRU
SD 73 Gr. 12 graduates will decline until 2018
Immediate transition is declining slightly each year – more students choose to take a year or more off before attending post secondary
Traditional sources of TRU students are ‘drying up’; will not recover in the foreseeable future

7. Life-long Learners – ‘Experience Gap’
Employers need experience + education. A credential is not enough
About 63% of BC residents currently hold a PSE credential, but labour market need will be 78% in 2020.
Experienced, educated employees are needed to replace retiring supervisors and managers.
Recruiting life-long leaners will help to augment the projected shortage of traditionally-aged (18-24) high school graduates upon which TRU has traditionally relied.

8. Flexible Options Education Employment Higher demand
Low-investment (time), high-return options for working adults who are looking to move into upcoming vacancies
Education
Higher demand
Retiring managers & supervisors
Credentials needed
Employment
More jobs
Better economy
Experience needed
Local adult population has lower educational attainment than BC overall
10% of Kamloops, 15% of all of BC had a university certificate or degree

9. Aboriginal Population & TRU Students
Growing population (higher birth rates = more high school graduates)
In 2011, only 48% of adults (aged 25 to 64) who identified as Aboriginal had a postsecondary qualification, compared to 65% of the non-Aboriginal population
Ethnic migration – particularly for people who are identifying as Métis

10. Headcount by Student Type – Faculty of Arts

11. Population Trends Increases Decreases Mature learners
Aboriginal birth rates
Retirees
New residents (intra-provincial and interprovincial)
Transitions to public post-secondary education in BC
High school graduates
Overall birth rates
Need to diversify – immediate high school transitions 1/3 of all new students in Fall 2015

12. Physical Capacity – TRU has Space
TRU has 1.60 net assignable square meters (NASM) per FTE student of classroom space; proposed standard is NASM per FTE student (Educational Consulting Services Corp., 2015, p. 10 Section 2).
TRU’s average utilization rate of Kamloops classrooms in Winter 2015 was 59%, and about 67% for Fall This is below the 75% utilization benchmark considered to be the threshold of utilization beyond which an institution should consider adding classrooms to its inventory (Educational Consulting Services Corp., 2015, p. 3 Section 3).

13. STEEP – Liberal Arts & Humanities

14. Opportunities & Threats
Growth of Communications discipline
Rejuvenate Liberal Arts programs:
Incorporate technical skills in Liberal Arts programs
Offer global skills for Liberal Arts students
Requirements for digital literacy
Desirability of T-shaped professionals
Will Humanities programs appeal to students in the future?
Job challenges for Humanities graduates
Salary challenges for Humanities graduates
Skills for jobs of the future
Long-term job prospects
Investment from the Canadian government
Society needs liberal arts to navigate social and technological development
Canada’s employers value soft skills AND technical knowledge