Underlying the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training's work is the premise that accessible, high-quality education and training leading to good paying jobs provides numerous benefits to individuals and lifts up society as a whole. By supporting post-secondary education and skills training it ensures citizens have access to the opportunities they need to be productive, creative and innovative. This creates the conditions that produce the future innovators, builders, and shapers of British Columbia's diversified economy. A number of factors influence the Ministry's work. These include such things as availability of student housing, access to education and skills training, as well as relevance to the economy and labour market conditions. The Ministry plays a key role in promoting a collaborative approach to these factors, fostering opportunities for our partners in post-secondary education and skills training to work beyond regional boundaries and contribute to the prosperity and the success of all British Columbians. Following the Minister's Accountability Statement, this year's Service Plan is broken down into the following areas: (1) Purpose of the Ministry; (2) Strategic Direction and Alignment with Government Priorities; (3) Strategic Context; (4) Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Performance Measures; and (5) Resource Summary (Public Post-Secondary Institutions Resource Summary; Major Capital Projects; and Significant IT Projects). Ministry contact information is also included.