Province invests $79 million to enhance students’ career pathways

Career and technology studies program changes will help address needs for skilled labour

Edmonton... Students who choose career and technology studies (CTS) as an option will benefit from the Alberta government’s refocused curriculum, an expansion of programs and $79 million in funding support.

“As a government, our focus is on providing opportunities for Alberta students to find their passions and interests in a variety of career areas,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “By expanding these career programs, students will have new learning opportunities in a range of areas from skills training to health programs.”

Making good on a commitment to expand Alberta’s skilled labour force in areas such as health, Alberta Education’s 2008/09 budget provides $21.5 million per year over the next three years to expand CTS programming, support curriculum development and upgrade equipment.

“Enhancing CTS options for our students opens a wide variety of opportunities to become part of Alberta’s skilled and knowledgeable workforce,” said Education Minister Dave Hancock. “Such training is essential to support the province’s industries and improve the long-run sustainability of our economy.”

In addition, through Skills Canada Alberta, the provincial government provided more than $14 million to school jurisdictions for equipment upgrades to more than 100 CTS labs throughout the province. Out of the province’s 62 school boards and authorities, a total of 53 proposals (some containing multiple lab project upgrades) were submitted and approved for funding.

“This partnership between Skills Canada Alberta and the government complements innovative strategies such as regional skills centres and mobile CTS labs,” said Hancock. “Education will also be working with the ministries of Advanced Education and Technology and Employment and Immigration to further enhance CTS delivery, accessibility and students’ transitions into their chosen careers.”

The funding increase coincides with an aggressive overhaul of the CTS curriculum to support greater options for students. The CTS program options include Health, Recreation and Human Services; Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation; Business, Administration, Finance and Information Technology; Natural Resources, and; Media, Design and Communication Arts. Implementation of the phased-in programming is scheduled to begin in September 2009.

Backgrounder

$14 million for 53 CTS proposals  

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