Chilean Education Market Opportunities and Strategies Brenda Wills - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Chilean Education Market Opportunities and Strategies

Brenda Wills 2014 CAPS-I Conference Victoria, British Columbia May 26-27 2014

COUNTRY KEY FIGURES

Population (April 2013): 16,634,603

Urban: 14,462,858 / Rural: 2,171,745

Greater Santiago area: 6,685,685 Strong and stable economy Inflation rate: 3.5% (March 2014) Consistent economic growth and development make it an attractive destination for student recruitment

SUMMARY OF THE MARKET:

Education is a top priority for the new Chilean Government Education is seen as a vehicle for social mobility Study abroad opportunities in great demand at both secondary and post-secondary level, as well as language training Market of highly qualified students, low English/French level Students value face-to-face contact (“handholding”) Perception of Canada as a safe though far away country with severe climate and little to offer in terms of activities and entertainment

MARKET SIZE

Constantly increasing number of Chileans studying in Canada

• No. of Chilean students in Canada 2013: 512; 324 Study permit

applications; 379 SX-1 (short-term studies, ESL/FSL) TR visas Since 2008: Creation of scholarships to develop human capital Canada’s main competitors in Chile’s education market are other English-speaking OECD countries (USA, UK, AUS, NZ) Other popular destinations: Spain, France, Germany

K-12

Significant growth in demand for short and long term exchanges over the past 3 years Short term: 2-3 months (preferably during Chilean summer months: January and February) Pinguinos sin Fronteras: Scholarship program for high school students (CORFO, agency under the Ministry of Economy) Greater affluence, the rise of the middle class, a more competitive labour market, and greater access to credit all favor a rising demand

COMMUNITY COLLEGES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND CEGEP

High demand for technical skills in local labour market For cultural reasons, students are more inclined to pursue university studies rather than at college/technical institutes Opportunities for Canadian colleges to partner with Técnicos para Chile (2-year study abroad opportunity, full scholarship). Priority areas: Mining, Mechanics, Health, Renewable Energies, Agricultural Industry, Telecommunications Low level English/French skills

UNIVERSITY (UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES)

Little, but growing demand for full undergraduate studies Independence of Chilean youth at later age Some Chilean universities held in high regard Emerging Leaders of the Americas and Leadership Canada- Chile scholarship programs: Short-term exchanges facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between Canadian and Chilean institutions Numerous student exchange agreements between Chilean and Canadian post-secondary institutions

UNIVERSITY (GRADUATE STUDIES)

High Demand for Master studies Becas Chile provides full scholarships for Master’s and Doctorate studies abroad Letter of Acceptance needed for Becas Chile Preference for prestigious and well-known universities (USA and UK)

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS (ESL/FSL)

High demand for ESL (young professionals) Private agents act as intermediaries Limited demand for FSL International Experience Canada Program Duration: max. 1 year Enables to travel, study (max. 6 months) and work (max. 1 year) 18-35 years 750 spots for 2014

725 Working Holiday (waiting list) 15 Young Professionals 10 International Co-op

MARKET ENTRY CONSIDERATIONS

Open business environment Embassy of Canada main actor in Chile for promotion 2-3 major recruitment fairs per year Long term studies require study permit Service standard: 5-15 days Visa Application Centre (VAC)

LATIN AMERICAN TOUR 2014

SANTIAGO DE CHILE OCTOBER 3-4

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

MARKET BRIEFING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WITH LOCAL INSTITUTIONS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

RECRUITMENT FAIR

TARGET AUDIENCE:

K-12, POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS AND ACCREDITED LANGUAGE SCHOOLS

CONTACT INFORMATION BRENDA WILLS – TRADE COMMISSIONER (EDUCATION)

BRENDA.WILLS@INTERNATIONAL.GC.CA

ALEXANDRA BUCHER – ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COORDINATOR

ALEXANDRA.BUCHER@INTERNATIONAL.GC.CA