WHISTLER2020
Whistler 2020 Strategy: Learning
Whistler 2020 Priority: Enriching Community Life

Learning Opportunities

Why monitor this indicator?

Lifelong learning is identified as an important aspect of community life in Whistler. Learning is valued by the community for a variety of reasons including personal growth and skill enhancement for employment.

What does this indicator measure?

This indicator seeks to understand how satisfied residents who are 18 years and older are with their personal opportunities for formal and informal learning. Formal learning includes post secondary schools, colleges, and other organizations offering accredited courses in Whistler and in the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Informal learning opportunities include speakers, luncheons and dialogue events.
Indicator DefinitionProportion of residents satisfied with their opportunities for formal and informal learning in the Sea to Sky Corridor
CalculationResponses of 18 year old or above respondents to the survey questions: “How satisfied are you with your personal opportunities for formal learning through schools and colleges and other organizations with accredited courses in Whistler and in the Sea-to-Sky corridor?” and “And how about your opportunities for informal learning? Includes speakers, luncheons, dialogue events, newspaper articles and community centre courses.” Count those ‘very satisfied’ or ‘somewhat satisfied’ satisfied and divide by the total number of respondents. Equally weight both questions and combine.
Time PeriodSnapshot
Collection FrequencyAnnually
SourceChamber
1 year trend
Down away from vision
3 year average trend
Not enough data
Latest Analysis
All Learning
  • Of approximately 87% of adult permanent residents with an opinion, 43% are satisfied with learning opportunities, while only 33% of seasonal residents with an opinion (97%) are satisifed.
Formal Learning (see chart below)

Permanent Residents

  • Of permanent residents, 27% are satisfied with formal learning opportunities, with year over year results are trending slightly downwards.
  • Higher income residents are less satisfied with formal learning opportunities than lower income residents.Top 3 choices for additional learning opportunities included: accredited college and university courses (53%), technical and trades courses (47%), professional and skills development (44%).

Seasonal Residents

  • Of seasonal residents, 27% are satisfied with formal learing opportunities, with year over year results trending slightly downwards.
  • No demographic differences were identified and 61% had no suggestions for learning opportunities they would like to see more of.
  • The top 3 suggestions for additional learning opportunities included: languages (11%), recreation related certifications / first Aid (7%), art/film Courses (5%)

Informal Learning (see chart below)

Permanent Residents

  • In 2006 58% of permanent residents were satisfied with informal learning opportunities with results  down from 2005.
  • Older residents are less likely than younger ones to be very satisfied with informal learning opportunities.
  • Higher income residents are less likely to be very satisfied with informal learning opportunities.
  • The top choices for additional informal learning include: speakers and presentations 32%, dialogue and discussion forums 23%

Seasonal Residents

  • Within the seasonal resident populaiton 39% were satsifed with informal learning opportunities.
  • No demographic differences were identified.
Links to Related Priorities
Links to Whistler's Sustainability Objectives:
(click on icon to find out more)
1. To reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to ongoing build-up of substances taken from the earth's crust (e.g. renewable energy)2. To reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to ongoing build-up of substances produced by society (e.g. non-toxic, biodegradable materials)3. To reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to ongoing degradation of natural systems by physical means (e.g. sustainably harvested fish)4. To reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to undermining the ability of other people to meet their needs (e.g. providing fair wages, access to information etc)

Check out the 2020explorer

Whistler 2020 explorer