Budget 2022 – Getting Albertans back to work

Budget 2022 is about getting Albertans back to work and Advanced Education is investing in people, infrastructure, and research capacity in the post-secondary sector to provide the skills needed for Albertans to get back to work and meet labour market demands.

The budget allows my ministry to continue the ongoing successful implementation of the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs Strategy across the post-secondary system. We are committed to developing a highly skilled workforce, one that strengthens innovation and commercialization, while ensuring future generations have the knowledge needed to succeed.

Advanced Education is investing $171 million over the next three years towards targeted enrolment in technology, agriculture, financial services, and aviation programs. This will create more seats in high-demand programs with strong post-graduate success rates to ensure Albertans are learning the skills needed to enter to workforce of tomorrow.

Alberta’s government is also making post-secondary more affordable, we are increasing our investment into financial supports for students by more than $12 million over three years. Plus, we’re adding $15 million in bursaries over the next three years to support low income students. Every Albertan should have the opportunity to attend post-secondary and with this funding we are ensuring more Albertans can receive a high quality education. Budget 2022 also includes $5 million over three years to increase access to post-secondary education for Indigenous learners.

Advanced Education is also creating 1,200 new work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students by investing $6 million over three years. This gives students greater access to on-the-job learning to make sure they have the technical skills to pursue post-graduate opportunities. Along with that Budget 2022 includes $8 million to fund the creation of more micro-credential programs. More and more Albertans are looking for re-skilling or up-skilling opportunities to stay ahead of the changing nature of work and this new funding will help ensure Albertans have access to the training opportunities they need.

Budget 2022 continues the critical work we have done to bolster the trades in Alberta by investing over $30 million over three years to expand apprenticeship education. Alberta’s government understands our province will face a shortage in skilled labour in years to come which is why it is important we provide Albertans with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to succeed in the trades.

Lastly, Budget 2022 includes a capital plan investment of $1.4 billion over three years which will create jobs and stimulate the economy while providing Alberta’s learners with access to more world class learning facilities.

The time is now to invest in people and learning. Supporting Alberta at Work through our post-secondary system is vitally important as our province emerges from one of the most challenging periods in generations. We are determined and focused on helping our students, institutions and province realize the bright future we are creating today and going forward.

I look forward to updating you further on initiatives from Budget 2022, Alberta at Work and Alberta 2030 in the weeks ahead.

For more information on Budget 2022 visit alberta.ca/budget.aspx.

For information on Alberta 2030 visit alberta.ca/alberta-2030-building-skills-for-jobs.aspx.