NAIT, Wikimedia Commons, CC License
EDMONTON — Alberta is adding more than 8,000 post-secondary spaces as part of a $148-million investment aimed at training workers for high-demand fields.
The province says the funding will be provided over three years through the third round of its Targeted Enrolment Expansion program.
The new spaces will be added to degree, diploma and certificate programs in areas including health care, education, engineering, technology, early learning and skilled trades.
Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall said the investment is intended to expand programs sought by students while helping employers find skilled workers.
“This nearly $150 million commitment will create more spaces in the programs students want and employers need,” McDougall said.
“This funding will help build the skilled workforce that drives economic growth and keeps Alberta competitive for years to come.”
The province says the latest round will create almost 1,000 nursing spaces, more than 150 paramedicine spaces and more than 750 spaces in engineering.
More than $15 million over three years is also being directed toward almost 1,000 additional spaces in education programs.
Those include bachelor of education and after-degree programs, along with spaces offered through the province’s new expedited teaching certificate pathway.
Alberta School Boards Association president Shali Baziuk said the additional education spaces will help school boards recruit qualified teachers as they deal with growing kindergarten to Grade 12 enrolment.
The province says the third round of funding will support almost 8,000 additional student spaces by the 2028-29 academic year.
Post-secondary institutions submitted proposals for individual program expansions, with funding decisions based on factors including student and workforce demand, costs, institutional capacity and provincial priorities.
The spaces are intended to expand opportunities for domestic students in Alberta, who will continue to pay applicable tuition and fees.
The latest funding builds on almost $313 million provided through the first two rounds of the program, which the province says will add more than 15,000 funded spaces.
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