This release was issued under a previous government.

Starting this fall, an additional 25 students and social work practitioners will be able to complete their Bachelor of Social Work degree online. The number will increase to a total of 100 seats by 2017/18. The Master of Social Work will also increase by 25 spots starting in January 2015. In an effort to ensure Alberta has the best trained child intervention workers in Canada, the government is also striking a task force with the university to create an educational focus on child protection. 

“One of the pillars of our plan to improve the child intervention system is to focus on enhancing education, training and support for workers to help prepare them for the complexities of the child intervention practice. Developing new programs focused on child intervention will reinforce our frontline workers and their ability to achieve positive results for vulnerable children and families.”

Manmeet S. Bhullar, Minister of Human Services

“We’re pleased that the University of Calgary has not only identified the need to increase the number of social work seats, but is also working with government to ensure these seats are specialized in child protection. We have a responsibility to do all we can to help protect of our most vulnerable citizens, so increasing educational supports for social workers is an important step and consistent with the Children First legislation to transform how government supports the well-being and success of Alberta’s children.”

Dave Hancock, Premier and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education

This initiative signals a more formalized partnership between the Ministry of Human Services and the University of Calgary.  As we move forward we will be working together to enhance child protection training in Alberta and ensure best practices and innovative approaches are being used.

“"This additional investment in the University of Calgary's Faculty of Social Work enables us to graduate even more insightful and skilled social workers who are ready to support the well-being of families and communities across our province and around the world. We are committed to working with the Ministry of Human Services to better protect Alberta's children and improve the child welfare system.”

Elizabeth Cannon, President, University of Calgary

The province is providing $1.3 million for this expansion as part of the $3.7 million the University of Calgary received in Budget 2014 to increase access to high-demand programs.

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.