Alberta government investing millions in hands-on learning for students

The government of Alberta proposed a budget on Friday, saying it will invest over $100 million in the next three years for school boards to grow career programs in Alberta high schools.

Budget 2025 would provide $102.4 million in the next three years for school boards to grow career education programs and fund more collegiate and dual-credit programs across Alberta.

Of that, $8.4 million would be invested from 2026 to 2027 to make students and families more aware about the career education programs and pathways available to them.

The government said in a news release that the purpose of Budget 2025 is to meet the challenges facing Alberta communities by investing in education and health, lowering taxes for families and focusing on the economy.

Alberta said career education helps students gain hands-on learning experience for their respective vocations while working towards graduation.

Career education in Alberta includes career and technology courses, Career and Life Management (CALM), dual-credit courses, collegiate schools, apprenticeships and off-campus education programming.

“We are working to set students up for success by strengthening job-focused education,” said Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides. “This money is helping schools partner with businesses, universities and colleges to create programs that will help students hit the ground running after they graduate.”

Collegiate schools work with the above institutions to make classes that let students gain experience in their chosen career while completing their education.

Budget 2025 proposes that it will provide more than $21 million to school boards to help fund special classrooms like carpentry workshops, film and media rooms, science laboratories, heavy equipment simulators and aircraft hangars.

Another $6 million is being invested to support the start-up costs for new collegiate schools.

Alberta has 12 collegiate schools for grades 7-12, including aviation, graphic design, trades and more.

Francis Mazieta, a student at Fusion Collegiate, spoke about his collegiate experience, saying it is “thanks to its career-focused learning and the opportunities through Fusion and The Educational Partnership Foundation” that he now works at Mr. Rooter as a first-year apprentice plumber.

“The hands-on trades training, high school credits, safety certifications, and real-world skills I picked up completely changed my life,” Mazieta said. “I’m excited about where my career is headed and really thankful for the support that helped me get here.”

Budget 2025 also proposes providing $4.6 million in 2025-26 to start new or improve existing dual-credit programs.

Alberta’s ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services is providing $550,000 of that amount for dual-credit health care aide programs.

“Health care aides play a critical role in ensuring Albertans receive the continuing care services they need to maintain their health, independence and quality of life,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.

Since 2013, more than 95,000 high school students participated in at least one dual–credit course, according to Alberta.

Dual-credit programs let students earn high-school and post-secondary credits simultaneously, partnering with universities and colleges.

Another $1.4 million is being invested to support students participating in off-campus career education programs through CAREERS, a non-profit that connects students to jobs in high-demand like the trades, technology, health, forestry and agriculture.

“Investments in collegiate and dual-credit programming are significant for Calgary Catholic as they further strengthen our collegiate and dual-credit programming,” said chair of the Calgary Catholic School District Shannon Cook.

Since 2022, education partners and almost 5,000 Albertans have provided their feedback on career education and workforce needs, according to the province.

Alberta Education will talk with education partners on the best practices to bring more career education opportunities to students.