Native Education College
Native Education College is a Vancouver-based nonprofit Indigenous post-secondary institution founded in 1967 that delivers culturally grounded certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners across British Columbia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Native Education College does
Native Education College (NEC), founded in 1967 and operated since 1979 by the Native Education College Society (a nonprofit governed by an all-Indigenous Board of Directors), is a designated private post-secondary institution headquartered at a Longhouse campus in Vancouver, British Columbia. It serves First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners through a portfolio of roughly 12 certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs spanning Adult Upgrading, Early Childhood Education, Health Care Assistance, Family and Community Counselling, Indigenous Justice Studies, Indigenous Land Stewardship, Information Technology Support, and Office Administration, with the Associate of Arts Indigenous Studies being offered under written Ministerial consent effective June 21, 2025. Programs are delivered on-campus, online (synchronous and asynchronous), and via outreach partnerships in Indigenous communities across BC, with average class sizes of about 15 students and wrap-around supports including holistic counselling, Elders' teachings, wellness programming, the Grace Mirehouse Memorial Library, and Financial Aid advisory.
The underlying operating model combines regulated tuition (program fees $4,900-$6,820 plus ancillary costs) with substantial government funding — the Health Care Assistant and Indigenous Adult Basic Education programs are fully funded by the provincial government — alongside corporate sponsorships, individual donations, an annual Feast & Gala fundraiser, and Longhouse facility rentals. NEC holds transfer pathways into UBC's NITEP, NVIT's Social Work program, VCC, and the BC Transfer Guide. The institution is currently mid-transition from a private college to a public post-secondary institute with provincial reach, a structural change that will alter its revenue base and regulatory standing but requires it to drop 'College' from its name.
The organization runs on roughly 100 staff (many of them alumni) under a leadership team comprising a President (T. Harkey), VP of Academics (T. Starblanket), VP of Finance and Enrollments (N. Xue), Associate VP Operations (D. Fantaziu), and four Deans, with partnerships in place with TECHNATION, ICBC, UBC, NVIT, and VCC. No PE/VC ownership is indicated.
Native Education College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Native Education College
- Legal name
- Native Education College
- Website
- https://necvancouver.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Native Education College is a Vancouver-based nonprofit Indigenous post-secondary institution founded in 1967 that delivers culturally grounded certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners across British Columbia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Native Education College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indigenous Post-Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community/Tribal Two-Year Colleges (Associate Degree–Granting) (EDAHANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tribal Teacher Education & Indigenous Language Colleges (Educator Prep/Language Revitalization) (EDAHANAG), Tribal Health Sciences & Allied Health Colleges (Nursing/Allied Health Focus) (EDAHANAF)
Keywords
Where Native Education College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Native Education College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition Revenue: Tuition-based revenue from certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs. Various tuition rates ranging from $4,900 to $6,820 per program. Some programs fully funded by provincial government.
- Government Grants and Subsidies: Indigenous Adult Basic Education and Health Care Assistant programs fully funded by provincial government. Additional funding through StudentAidBC, Adult Upgrading Grant, band sponsorships.
- Donations and Fundraising: Corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and fundraising events (Feast & Gala) supporting student food programs, scholarships, and cultural activities.
- Longhouse Facility Rentals: Rental revenue from Longhouse facilities including classrooms and Fireside Lounge for community events and workshops.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Indigenous Early Childhood Educator Certificate - 44 weeks |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Indigenous Early Childhood Education Diploma - 32 weeks |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Family & Community Counselling Diploma - 42 weeks |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Information Technology Support Technician Certificate - 28 weeks |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Office Administration & Employment Training Certificate - 28 weeks |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Indigenous Land Stewardship Certificate - 1 year |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Indigenous Justice Studies Certificate - 43 weeks |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Associate of Arts Indigenous Studies - 2 years |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Health Care Assistant Program - 32 weeks |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Sponsorship Tiers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Native Education College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Native Education College is a private Indigenous post-secondary college in Vancouver, BC, founded in 1967, that delivers certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs in Indigenous Early Childhood Education, Family & Community Counselling, Indigenous Justice Studies, Indigenous Land Stewardship, Information Technology Support Technician, Office Administration & Employment Training, Health Care Assistant, Indigenous Adult Basic Education, and Associate of Arts Indigenous Studies. All programs integrate Indigenous worldview, knowledge, and culturally appropriate wrap-around student services, with transfer pathways to UBC and NVIT.
Product overview
Native Education College offers a portfolio of 12 certificate and diploma programs and associate degree across Adult Upgrading, Business/IT, Health Sciences, and Humanities/Social Sciences disciplines. Programs include Indigenous Adult Basic Education, Information Technology Support Technician, Office Administration & Employment Training, Indigenous Early Childhood Educator (Certificate and Diploma), Health Care Assistant, Family & Community Counselling (Certificate and Diploma), Indigenous Land Stewardship, Indigenous Justice Studies, and Associate of Arts Indigenous Studies. All programs incorporate culturally appropriate and supportive learning environments based on Longhouse Values, with wrap-around student support services including counselling, wellness programs, athletics, and library resources. Programs are delivered on-campus, online synchronous, or asynchronous formats with practicum components.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Associate of Arts Indigenous Studies (AAIS)
Quantifiable outcome
- Average class size of 15 students
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Native Education College
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Native Education College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Native Education College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- TECHNATIONcoreTECHNATION Indigenous Mentorship Initiative provides structured mentorship for ITST students. All mentors are Indigenous tech professionals and industry leaders. Students build confidence, explore career pathways, attend industry events, visit workplaces, and develop professional skills.
- ICBCmajorICBC actively recruits Indigenous graduates from the ITST program into roles across their organization. ITST graduates may be considered for paid internship opportunities with possibility of direct employment. Creates ongoing pathways into meaningful, well-paid careers.
- University of British Columbia (UBC)coreTransfer agreement allowing IECE Certificate graduates to transfer into UBC's Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP), entering second year of Bachelor of Education degree. Also provides free library cards for Aboriginal community members.
- Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT)coreFCC Diploma program transfers to NVIT Social Work program, providing pathway for further education.
- Vancouver Community College (VCC)coreIABE program accredited by BC Ministry of Advanced Education and affiliated with VCC. NEC students eligible to access VCC online academic resources and libraries. Students can obtain VCC library cards to borrow materials.
- BC Post-Secondary InstitutionscoreBlock transfer agreements with multiple BC post-secondary institutions through BC Transfer Guide. NEC certificate and diploma program credits transferrable to BC institutions listed on bctransferguide.ca.
- Indigenous Nations and Communities in BCcoreOngoing partnerships with First Nations, Métis, and Indigenous community agencies to deliver accredited post-secondary and adult upgrading programs across British Columbia. Outreach programs guided by partner community's vision and needs.
- Nuba RestaurantminorPartnership for Truth and Reconciliation Day. Nuba donates $1 per appetizer sold to NEC supporting education as pathway to reconciliation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Native Education College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blue Quills First Nations College: First Nations-governed post-secondary institution in Alberta offering certificates, diplomas, and university-transfer programming rooted in Indigenous culture. Comparable as a TCU operating under a society/board governance structure similar to NEC, with a culturally integrated curriculum and adult-upgrading focus.
- Portage College: Alberta public post-secondary with strong Indigenous programming, including Indigenous careers and community studies certificates/diplomas. Comparable for its mix of trades, health, and Indigenous-knowledge programs delivered on-campus and through community partnerships across northern communities.
- Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT): Indigenous-owned and governed post-secondary institute in BC serving First Nations learners. NVIT is the closest comparable TCU in the same province, with overlapping certificate/diploma offerings, similar university-transfer pathways, and a direct credit-transfer relationship with NEC's FCC Diploma (Social Work).
- First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv): Federally funded Indigenous university in Saskatchewan offering certificate, diploma, and degree programs rooted in Indigenous knowledge. Comparable as a TCU offering culturally grounded post-secondary education to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners, with a comparable wrap-around student-support model.
- Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT): Indigenous-led post-secondary institution providing certificates and diplomas across trades, health, business, and community studies to First Nations learners. Comparable to NEC in mission (Indigenous workforce development), program mix (healthcare, IT, office admin), and BC Transfer Guide-style articulation role.
Others
- ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia): BC Crown corporation actively recruiting NEC's ITST graduates for paid internship-to-employment roles. Comparable as an employer-of-choice partner for NEC IT graduates, illustrating the employer pipeline NEC is building — not a direct competitor but a key downstream customer.
- Native Women's Healing Centre / Indigenous Education Coalition: Adjacent Indigenous education advocacy organization supporting Indigenous learner access to post-secondary education in BC. Comparable ecosystem-level peer: not a direct competitor but addresses similar barriers (funding, wrap-around services) and represents potential partner or referral source for NEC.
- TECHNATION: Canadian tech-industry association operating the Indigenous Mentorship Initiative that supports NEC's ITST students. Comparable as a strategic workforce-development partner rather than a competitor, but its career-pathway work for Indigenous tech talent directly overlaps NEC's IT Support Technician outcome.
Broad incumbents
- Vancouver Community College (VCC): Public BC post-secondary institution that affiliates with NEC's IABE program and provides library access and resources to NEC students. Comparable as a BC credential-granting college serving similar adult-upgrading and career-program populations, but VCC is broader and not Indigenous-specialized.
Emerging players
- University of British Columbia – NITEP (Indigenous Teacher Education Program): UBC's Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP) is a direct articulation partner for NEC's IECE Certificate graduates, who enter second year of the B.Ed. Comparable as an Indigenous-centered higher-education pathway with overlapping teacher-education outcomes and student demographic.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Native Education College social profiles
Digital presenceNative Education College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Native Education College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Native Education College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Native Education College M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Native Education College
What does Native Education College do?
Native Education College is a private Indigenous post-secondary college in Vancouver, BC, founded in 1967, that delivers certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs in Indigenous Early Childhood Education, Family & Community Counselling, Indigenous Justice Studies, Indigenous Land Stewardship, Information Technology Support Technician, Office Administration & Employment Training, Health Care Assistant, Indigenous Adult Basic Education, and Associate of Arts Indigenous Studies. All programs integrate Indigenous worldview, knowledge, and culturally appropriate wrap-around student services, with transfer pathways to UBC and NVIT.
Is Native Education College a public or private company?
Native Education College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Native Education College founded?
Native Education College was founded in 1967. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Native Education College based?
Native Education College is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Native Education College make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition Revenue is the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Subsidies, donations and Fundraising and longhouse Facility Rentals.
Who are Native Education College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blue Quills First Nations College, Portage College, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT). Others are ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia), Native Women's Healing Centre / Indigenous Education Coalition and TECHNATION. Vancouver Community College (VCC) is listed as a broad incumbent. University of British Columbia – NITEP (Indigenous Teacher Education Program) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Native Education College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Native Education College.
What industry is Native Education College in?
Native Education College's product category is Indigenous Post-Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHANAA, Community/Tribal Two-Year Colleges (Associate Degree–Granting), with a secondary code of EDAHANAG, Tribal Teacher Education & Indigenous Language Colleges (Educator Prep/Language Revitalization). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.