Economic Impact Analysis: Lakeland College

Prepared for Lakeland College 2021

In the following report, Hanover Research (Hanover) analyzes the economic contribution of Lakeland College to Alberta through a supply-side analysis.

Executive Summary Supply-Side Overview Academic Impact

Alumni Impact Community Engagement and Impact

HIGHER EDUCATION

KEY TAKEAWAYS Based on a review of economic impact indicators, including Lakeland College’s academic, alumni, and community contributions, Hanover Research finds that:

Some of Lakeland’s notable quantifiable contributions in the 2019/20 academic year alone include 1,045 conferrals; 3,298 enrolments, including 229 indigenous students and 281 international students; employment of 400 full-time staff, resulting in $42 million in salaries and benefits to the Alberta economy this past year; and an estimated $9.4 million in additional annual income earned by graduates, reaching $12 million based on pre-COVID figures and accounting for inflation.

Lakeland’s non-quantifiable impacts include a strong mix of programs aligned with local workforce needs; increased economic mobility and earnings power for graduates; targeted student support services for underrepresented learner groups; regional stewardship and viable pathways to higher education; community access to research support and facilities; and COVID-19 support, such as expanding and sharing its virtual practicum simulations with other local colleges, donating food and supplies to community organizations, and raising funds to support students in need.

Combined, these economic contributions position Lakeland as a vital force in economic recovery for Alberta.

HIGHER EDUCATION

$130.6M

$61M in Local Alumni Impact $66.7M in Lakeland Operations $2.9M in Student Spending

METHODOLOGY Hanover Research’s Supply-Side Economic Impact Analysis is organized into three main components: ▪ Academic Impact analyzes the impact of Lakeland College’s (Lakeland) academic programs on Alberta, including snapshots of student enrollment and support.

▪ Alumni Impact evaluates the impact Lakeland alumni have on the community, including estimated additional earnings as a result of receiving a credential from Lakeland.

▪ Community Engagement and Impact evaluates the impact of Lakeland’s programs, research, and COVID-19 related support on the Alberta community.

Note that Hanover’s analysis includes both quantifiable and nonquantifiable data to determine Lakeland’s role in Alberta’s economic recovery, particularly in a post-COVID world.

“

Transforming the future through innovative learning.

-Lakeland College Vision

HIGHER EDUCATION

1,045 conferrals Enrolment of 229 indigenous students and 281 international students 1,048 scholarships valued at $1,352,534 $42 million in staff salaries and benefits Estimated additional alumni income of $9,460,385 per year Programs aligned with local workforce needs Targeted student support services and financial aid for underrepresented learner groups

Community outreach and engagement

ENROLLMENT SPREAD Lakeland continues to attract a diverse student body and provide a strong mix of programs aligned with local workforce needs, despite the effects of COVID-19. Lakeland, for instance, enrolled 229 indigenous students and 281 international students in the 2019/2020 academic year alone (out of 3,298 enrolments total).

FULL-LOAD EQUIVALENT (FLE) ENROLLMENT BY PROGRAM (TOP 10), 2019/20 240.3

University Studies

233.6

Business Administration Diploma

ENROLMENTS AND COMPLETIONS, 2019/20 4,000

3,690

3,298

3,000 2,500 Enrollments

2,000

1,500

1,220

1,240

159.2

126.8

Apprenticeship

3,632

3,500

Animal Science Technology Diploma

Completions 1,045

Animal Health Technology Diploma

123

Environmental Scinces Diploma

122

Heavy Oil Power Engineering Diploma

116.6 92.7

Agribusiness Diploma

1,000 Early Learning and Childcare Certificate

500 0

82.3 71.5

Child and Youth Care Diploma 2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

Source: 2019-20 Lakeland College Annual Report (p. 32-33) Note: Enrolments reflect credit unique students.

HIGHER EDUCATION

0

50

100 150 200 250 300

ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING AND CAMPUS EXPANSION

•Agribusiness and Commercial Agriculture (crop and livestock) programming •Canada’s only studentmanaged farm •Student-led and scientistsupported research teams in commercial crop and beef production •Student-led sustainability team •Ag-technology curriculum •Energy and Environmental Sciences programming •Construction of Energy Centre •Training in energy production sector, wildlife conservation, and environmental monitoring

Source: 2019-20 Lakeland College Annual Report (p. 52), Lakeland College Comprehensive Institutional Plan (p. 20)

HIGHER EDUCATION

Campus Expansion Planning

•Firefighter training •Emergency services technology •American Sign Language and deaf culture studies •Real estate appraisal and assessment •Practical nursing in partnership with Northern Lakes College •Bachelor of Management in partnership with Athabasca University •Bachelor of General Studies in partnership with Athabasca University

Established Programming Strengths

Niche and Collaborative Programming

In fields tailored to the Alberta employment landscape, Lakeland offers a robust portfolio of certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees at its campuses in Vermilion and Lloydminster, along with pathways to bachelor’s degree with four-year universities (samples shown below).

To support the expanding postsecondary student body in Albert as well as graduate skilled workers, Lakeland intends to upgrade and expand its campus infrastructure as outlined in its ‘Capital Plan’.

•Vermilion campus revitalization through science labs, IT office space, student services office space, Animal Science Centre, student commons, alumni hall, and Bentley building.

•Student-Managed Farm renewal •Emergency Training Centre Lab upgrade •Student residence redevelopment

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES, AND DIRECTED SERVICES In the last academic year, Lakeland students received 1,048 scholarships valued at $1,352,534. Lakeland and its partners continue to financially support key student groups in Alberta, such as low-income learners (more than 200 of whom received nearly $350,000 in directed bursaries). Lakeland also provides targeted student support services for underrepresented learner groups, such as students with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ students, indigenous students, and low-income learners.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES ($ THOUSANDS) 1,300

$1,204

1,100

900

•Elder in Residence Program •Annual Tepee Raising •Beading Workshops •Reconciliation Speakers Series •Aboriginal Teacher Education Program with UAlberta

Low-Income Learners

500

$180

100

-100

Indigenous Learners

$692

700

300

SAMPLE TARGET STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

2018

2019

Source: 2019-20 Lakeland College Annual Report (p. 57, 38)

HIGHER EDUCATION

2020

•Access to Perishable Food Items •Access to Transportation •Participation in Great Canadian Giving Challenge •Learner Success Workshops •Preparatory courses, primarily massive open online courses at no charge

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES, AND AWARDS

Transfer Students $168,438

In the previous academic year, Lakeland students received scholarships, bursaries, and awards across a number of academic programs. In particular, Lakeland has offered robust support to transfer (84), business (34), agricultural sciences (34), and human services (10) students (monetary awards to the right).

This support aligns with Alberta’s labour market demand and positions Lakeland as a prominent institution for career success and readiness.

Business $83,003

Agricultural Sciences $36,880

Human Services $9,136

350 299 300 250

218

200 133

150 100

85

84 65

34

50

71

61

50

34 10

8

4

41 3

20 1

0

0

8

0

0 Transfer Students

Business

Agricultural Sciences

Human Services

Environmental Sciences

Energy and Petroleum Technology

Total

HIGHER EDUCATION

Lakeland

Interior Design

Fire and Emergency Services

Health and Wellness

Trades and Technology

Pre-Employment

EXPENSES BY FUNCTION ($ THOUSANDS)

REVENUE AND EXPENSES As an employer of more than 400 full-time staff, Lakeland contributed nearly $42 million in salaries and benefits to the Alberta economy this past year, approximately 62.5 percent of its total expenses. Government support and student tuition/fees are the top sources of revenue. Out-of-region students, in particular, contribute approximately $10,210 per student per year to the Alberta economy through housing, food, travel, utilities, personal care, and other necessary spending. The majority of Lakeland’s revenue supports instruction and training ($27.9 million) and academic and student support ($15.0 million).

Combined, these academic data broadly demonstrate Lakeland’s direct contribution not only to students but to other local stakeholders, including faculty, staff, community members, and government entities.

SOURCES OF REVENUE ($ THOUSANDS) $40,000

$27.9

Instruction and training Academic and Student Support

$15.0

Facilities and Operation Management

$10.6 $7.4

Institutional Support

$4.8

Ancillary Services $0.8

Sponsored Research

$0.1

Special Purpose $0

$37,801

$10

$20

$30

$30,000 $15,021

$20,000

$8,494

$10,000

$1,657

$1,624

$1,389

Federal and other government grants

Investment income

$Government of Alberta Grants

Student tuition and fees

Source: 2019-20 Lakeland College Annual Report (p. 55, 58-9, 61)

HIGHER EDUCATION

Sales of products and Donations and other services grants

LAKELAND ALUMNI EARNINGS PREMIUM Lakeland makes a significant economic contribution via increased economic mobility and earnings power for graduates, with the average Lakeland alumni earning $9,000 more than those without postsecondary education. Statistics Canada (2016) finds that the average income for workers in Alberta (and nationally) increases with each educational credential earned; However, Lakeland alumni data drawn from Lakeland’s 2016 Graduate Survey show that graduates can expect to earn just under the average of workers with a four-year degree or higher, as well as above the average of workers with postgraduate education below the bachelor’s level.

On the page that follows, Hanover provides a province-level “value added” analysis intended to provide a broad illustration of the potential monetary value that graduates of Lakeland programs receive via increased earnings. To estimate this value, Hanover cross-referenced awards conferred by Lakeland in the 2019/2020 academic year with the differences between mean income for Lakeland alumni and the average for individuals without a certificate, diploma, or degree. This analysis makes several assumptions:

MEAN ANNUAL EARNINGS BY EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IN ALBERTA (2016) Premium

$9,053

Lakeland Alumni

$6,337

University certificate or diploma below bachelor level

$11,432

College, CEGEP and other nonuniversity certificate or diploma

HIGHER EDUCATION

$50,807 $42,367 $47,462

$31,415

Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma $5,923

Secondary (high) school diploma or equivanet $0

0

$67,445

$41,953 $36,030

$11,943

All workers, ages 25-29

▪ Does not account for variations by award type or specialization.

▪ Estimates income premium based on median salaries for workers ages 25 through 29 without a certificate, diploma, or degree.

$45,083

$14,777

University certificate or degree at bachelor level or above

No certificate, diploma or degree

▪ Assumes Lakeland graduates pursue employment in Alberta and earn at least the alumni survey mean ($45,083).

Alberta

$47,973

20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000

Source: Statistics Canada, Lakeland Graduate Survey (Lakeland-provided, p. 45) Note: Comparison earnings for ages 25 to 29 used as approximately 47 percent of Lakeland respondents fit into this age range (total respondents = 444). Premium is calculated in comparison to “no certificate, diploma, or degree” average for the province, as some Lakeland programs do not require a secondary diploma.

ADDITIONAL ANNUAL INCOME FROM LAKELAND GRADUATES Based on Hanover’s “value-added” analysis, Lakeland’s graduates represent more than $9.4 million in additional annual income to the Alberta economy, reaching $11.2 million based on pre-COVID figures. During the 2019/2020 academic year, Lakeland reported 1,045 program completions, down from 1,240 the prior year. Based on the estimated salary premium per graduate, Lakeland graduates represent a total of $9.4 million in annual income premium province-wide for 2019/2020 graduates and $11.2 million for 2018/2019 graduates.

Estimated Salary Premium per Graduate

Estimated Total Additional Annual Earnings (2020 Graduates)

Estimated Total Additional Annual Earnings (2019 Graduates)

Lakeland Alumni (2016)

$9,053

$9,460,385

$11,225,720

CPI-Adjusted (2020)

$9,688

$10,123,496

$12,012,570

Lakeland Alumni Remaining in Alberta

$9,053

$5,581,627

$6,623,175

CPI-Adjusted (2020)

$9,688

$5,972,863

$7,087,416

Alumni in Vermilion and Lloydminster

$9,053

$56,554,091*

CPI-Adjusted (2020)

$9,688

$61,014,193*

Source: Statistics Canada, Lakeland Graduate Survey (Lakeland-provided, p. 23, 45), Bank of Canada (see embedded link) Note: Non CPI-adjusted reflects 2016 salary rates. *Graduate dates unavailable for local alumni volume in Vermilion and Lloydminster.

When adjusted for inflation, Lakeland added $10.1 million to Alberta economy last year and $12.0 million the year prior. When adjusted to reflect the proportion of students who stayed in Alberta after completing their program (59 percent), Lakeland’s graduates represent just under $5.6 million in annual income premium for 2019/2020 graduates and $6.6 million for 2018/2019 graduates, increasing to $6.0 million and $7.1 million respectively by graduation year when accounting for inflation.

HIGHER EDUCATION

ADDITIONAL INCOME FROM:

RETAINING ALUMNI IN ALBERTA

Excel Alumni Magazine is published twice each year; it features alumni profiles, class notes, events, campus news and fundraising activities.

Alumni information database to keep track of alumni and send information about alumni events and activities.

Events such as alumni socials, Feast on the Farm, President’s Gala, Homecoming, Rustlers Golf, and more.

Alumni Association that engages socially as well as assists the College in understanding local community needs and providing financial support to students.

Alumni recognition such as the Distinguished Alumni awards, Generation Alumni Recognition, and the President’s Circle.

Number of alumni

Alumni Benefits, such as discounts on insurance, Lakeland gear and academic courses, and events.

Lakeland campus

ALUMNI LOCATION WITHIN ALBERTA

A significant number of Lakeland graduates stay in Alberta, including those whose home prior to matriculation was outside the province. To retain these alumni, Lakeland engages in a variety of outreach strategies:

Source: Institutional website (see embedded link), Lakeland-provided alumni location data Note: Lloydminster reflects total across Saskatchewan and Alberta. Not all cities shown (e.g., some reserves due to geolocation limitations).

HIGHER EDUCATION

Alumni in Vermilion and Lloydminster

$56,554,091

CPI-Adjusted (2020)

$61,014,193

PROVIDING PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Lakeland actively contributes to the local community through its regional stewardship and pathways to higher education in particular.

Exemplar initiatives include: Foundational learning, transitional programming, and academic upgrading initiatives •14 students enrolled in employment skills enhancement •10 enrolments in adult basic education essential skills for the workplace (ABE ESWP) •13 enrolments in heavy oil and gas •45 enrolments in adult 12 •6 enrolments for in retail reception host Dual credit opportunities highand school students •11 students took automotive service technician through partnership with Buffalo Trail School Division •4 students took carpentry through partnership with Buffalo Trail School Division •3 students took carpentry through partnership with East Central Alberta Catholic School Division •215 students took other dual enrolment courses, such as in intro to heavy gas and oil (77) and health care aide (39)

Engagement with community partners to ensure alignment with local training needs •Membership in the East Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (ECARIN), which is committed to creating jobs, increasing revenue and opportunities for local businesses to export to the global market, and providing entrepreneurs access to high quality support and services.

•Virtual participation in Learning Council meetings to review programming and partnerships related to adult learning

Post-secondary collaboration to offer in-demand programming •Partnership with Northern Lakes College to deliver practical nurse, renewable energy and conservation, and academic upgrading.

•Partnership with Athabasca University for 12 new degree pathways through the university transfer program.

•Block transfer agreement with University of Saskatchewan for the business administration diploma to degree program.

•Co-delivery of the business administration program at Cumberland College’s Saskatchewan campus

Pathways for underserved communities •Supporting the University of Alberta’s Aboriginal Teacher Education program at the Lloydminster campus •Northern Lakes College serves over 50 communities, including 15 First Nations and four Métis settlements, with its innovative Supported Distance Learning model, which ensures access to education for all, including learners in rural locations.

Source: 2019-20 Lakeland College Annual Report (p. 38-9) HIGHER EDUCATION

EXPERTISE AND FACILITIES Lakeland offers industry partners access to dedicated research facilities, fulltime research scientists, and additional opportunities for applied research:

Areas of Excellence

Facilities Crop Research & Bioenergy Building

Business Development

RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS (2019/2020) Alignment with Alberta’s Needs •Lakeland’s research projects strongly align with the Alberta Research and Innovation Framework 2030 targets for food and agriculture.

•The combination of $913,000 in research revenue from grants and industry contracts, 40 active projects, and 42 external partnerships supports sustainability and commercial agriculture in Alberta.

Crop Research

Crops

Electronics & Fabrication Lab

Livestock

GN Sweet Livestock Research Facility

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Learning Centre

Lakeland assists community members by (adapted): • Helping them find a researcher to work with; • Facilitating direct engagement with researcher(s) to help define the problem and develop a research plan, including, budget, timelines, and deliverables; • Providing a one-stop shop for all paperwork regarding research; • Assisting them to find funding for the costs of research; and • Aiding the researcher with reporting.

HIGHER EDUCATION

•In 2020, Lakeland conducted 41 trials on seven fields sites with over 1,595 plots, nine crops, and a significant diversity of projects.

•Research projects were conducted with 22 industry and higher education partnerships Livestock Research •Lakeland contributes to the sustainability, competitiveness, and profitability of the local beef industry through its livestock research endeavours.

•Research projects were conducted with 26 industry and higher education partnerships Agriculture Technology •Lakeland supports research, innovation, and education in onfarm technologies and digital enhancement through its Student-Managed Farm and seven active research projects.

•A new degree in agriculture technology is in development.

Source: 2019-20 Lakeland College Annual Report (p. 43, adapted)

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DURING THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Lakeland has contributed to the local community in a variety of ways, such as expanding and sharing its virtual practicum simulations with other local colleges, donating food and supplies to community organizations, and raising funds to support students in need.

“

When Lakeland moved to online program delivery in mid-March due to COVID-19 protocols, the college accelerated the modernization of end-use technologies, Most teaching software were virtualized, and IT extended continued support of the online learning models for both students and instructors.

Lakeland College was ready to host the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference futsal championship with the banquet March 14 at Rolling Green Fairways. The meat was already in the oven when the event was cancelled due to COVID-19, so 180 pounds of roast beef was given to The Olive Tree in Lloydminster.

Source: Lakeland (verbatim, see embedded links)

HIGHER EDUCATION

When COVID-19 shut down in-person classes and derailed many practicums in spring 2020, Lakeland shared its virtual practicums simulations with Portage College’s early learning and child care students. This collaboration gave the students the opportunity to complete practicum hours virtually and continue their education.

Our Lakeland community asked for help with supplies and equipment, and we answered the call. We loaned the Lloydminster hospital four wheelchairs and 14 hospital beds. We also donated supplies to seniors’ homes in Vegreville and Two Hills, and five Vegreville group homes. Thank you to everyone that helped make this happen and to the many volunteers in our Lakeland community.

Another way Alberta’s colleges are supporting their communities is by finding innovative ways to support those in need.

Lakeland College is currently raising funds to grow the Support Our Students Enhanced Bursary Fund. The bursary supports students in financial need.

We continue to [help students develop industry-relevant skills] this academic year with physical distancing protocols in effect, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. We’ve adjusted how we deliver these essential work-integrated experiences for our students…Thanks to our faculty, 91.5 per cent of students participate in in-person activities. At any given point, 59 per cent of our students are on campus.

Lisa Bogert, Ph.D.

Content Director, Higher Education

E: lbogert@hanoverresearch.com

P: 202.559.0050 hanoverresearch.com