Rural education cuts
Posted Apr 13, 2013 5:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
An Alberta union says the province has targeted education in rural areas, with its latest budget cuts.
AUPE President Guy Smith says multiple programs will have to be eliminated at Lakeland College campuses including paramedic training, nursing, and business.
Smith tells 660News the cuts will have a terrible impact on small communities.
“Often times facilities like Lakeland College are the big employers of the town. It’s where people go to get educated if they don’t live in a bigger centre,” he said.
Smith says more than 60 employees will be out of work at Lakeland campuses.
He says because of the cuts, if you want to become a nurse, and you live in Lloydminster, you now have to leave your family behind and shoulder the expense of an education in Edmonton.
The Alberta government has yet to respond to interview requests.
