Budget 2014 increases spaces for post-secondary students

The additional funding in Budget 2014 will add 2,000 new spaces to the Campus Alberta system to increase access to high-demand programs such as engineering, environmental science and occupational therapy in the upcoming year.

“Alberta has one of the best post-secondary systems in Canada but we can always do more to increase access for students and foster collaboration between institutions. That’s why we are creating more spaces so students can get the learning opportunities they want to pursue their dreams and increasing funding to create new programs and stimulate collaboration in the Campus Alberta system.”

“The delivery of the four-year Bachelor of Environmental Science degree in collaboration with Mount Royal University will benefit both students and employers in Wood Buffalo. We know that environmental science is a critical need in this region, and that by providing education locally, we can respond to the need in a manner that also directly contributes to the health, well-being and sustainability of our community.”

"I applaud the additional investment from the government, which will increase spaces for post-secondary students at the University of Alberta and across the province. This funding will help us address enrolment pressures in programs where we have some of the highest demand, such as in Engineering, as well as produce graduates who will be instrumental to driving Alberta's future prosperity."

"In the fall of 2013, Olds College consolidated our fashion programs at the Fashion Institute at Olds College located in the new Bow Valley College South Campus (BVC). Through a joint proposal with Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), we increased our available seats in this high demand program and provided our students with a degree pathway. We believe this is a great investment in Campus Alberta as we partner with BVC on space, increase seats in the program, and work with ACAD to provide a new learner pathway."

“With $1.2 million in new funding to support 100 additional learning spaces, Bow Valley College will continue to expand access and produce the work-ready graduates our economy needs. This funding will benefit our learners by improving access to career programming in rural communities and by creating new spaces in high-demand career areas.”

"The University of Calgary is pleased that the Government of Alberta is providing target enrolment funding to post-secondary institutions. We thank the government and applaud them for investing in students and the quality of their educational experience. Calgary is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, and this funding will help us address increasing student demand and create access in education, engineering, law, social work, and graduate programs in priority areas."

Highlights of the increased funding:

• $11.3 million will be invested in additional access for high-demand engineering, engineering technology, and power engineering programs at six post-secondary institutions.
  • This will create access for almost 1,200 more students in 2014-15 and increase to 2,700 students in these high demand programs by 2017-18.
• An additional $12.3 million in new or expanded programs at 19 post-secondary institutions.
  • These programs will cover a wide range of disciplines such as social work, occupational therapy, environmental science, and international development.
    Program initiatives will enhance learner access through online and distributed delivery models.
  • This will create additional access for 800 students in 2014-15 and grow to nearly 1,900 students in 2017-18.
• $7.0 million will be used to invest in one-time and system-wide collaborative initiatives that support all Campus Alberta learners such as the Lois Hole Digital Library and French Language Collaboration Programs.
• Apprenticeship Technical Training grants were increased by $900,000 to fund additional apprenticeship seats, curriculum enhancements and alternative program delivery to assist apprentices to complete their programs and meet industry demand.

The high-demand programs were chosen based on graduate employment outcomes, employer support, labour market demand and student enrolment.

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.