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Alberta is proud to have a post-secondary system that provides a wide range of high-quality options designed to prepare people for successful careers. In order to help Albertans re-skill and upskill to meet the needs of an ever-changing economy, our government is increasing funding for micro-credential programming.
Micro-credential programs are short, specialized certification programs that can run anywhere from a couple of hours in length to several weeks. Micro-credentials can be a component of a degree, diploma or certificate program, or they can be a stand-alone credential in a specific topic or skill area. Micro-credentials give Albertans the ability to develop the job-ready skills they need to be successful building a new career – or strengthening a current one.
Back in 2021, Alberta’s government invested $5.6M to launch a micro-credential pilot program. We knew we needed to explore more flexible learning options for Albertans, so that every single Albertan can access the skills training they need to build successful careers.
I’m proud to announce that the pilot program was a success. That’s why we’re investing an additional $8 million over the next two years to fund the development of 73 new micro-credential programs.
Total funding by post-secondary institution and program
| Institution | Program | Total Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Athabasca University | Health Economics | $330,000 |
| Total | $330,000 | |
| Bow Valley College | Digital Design | $250,000 |
| Software Development | $250,000 | |
| Total | $500,000 | |
| Burman University | Finance and Entrepreneurship | $170,000 |
| Total | $170,000 | |
| Keyano College | CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Programming Certificate | $47,250 |
| Digital Literacies | $10,000 | |
| Total | $57,250 | |
| The King's University | Sustainable Agriculture | $96,000 |
| Financial Accounting | $96,000 | |
| Total | $192,000 | |
| Lakeland College | Agricultural Sciences | $43,000 |
| American Sign Language | $60,000 | |
| Total | $103,000 | |
| Lethbridge College | Indigenous Policing (Niitsitapi Inakiikawaiks) | $92,500 |
| Trades Math | $85,650 | |
| Character Design and Animation | $72,000 | |
| Level Design and Environment | $67,500 | |
| Introduction to Game Design | $58,500 | |
| Game Play Programmer | $58,500 | |
| Game Engine Sound Artist | $58,500 | |
| Total | $493,150 | |
| MacEwan University | Pain Assessment | $58,000 |
| Intelligent Supply Chain: Warehousing | $54,500 | |
| Total | $112,500 | |
| Mount Royal University | Supply Chain Resilience and Scope 3 Reporting | $9,000 |
| Hormonal Contraception | $136,501 | |
| Bridge to Early Learning and Childcare | $90,000 | |
| Total | $235,501 | |
| NAIT | Construction Leadership and Supervision | $250,000 |
| Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) | $350,000 | |
| Intellectual Property | $50,000 | |
| Total | $650,000 | |
| NorQuest College | Introduction to Aviation Operations | $133,000 |
| Supply Chain for the Tourism Sector: Foundational Knowledge | $164,543 | |
| Introduction to Applied Research for Industry Innovation | $175,842 | |
| Introduction to E-Sports | $139,627 | |
| Total | $613,012 | |
| Northern Lakes College | Indigenous Administration Extension | $47,000 |
| Total | $47,000 | |
| Northwestern Polytechnic | Indigenous, Children's Mental Health and Addiction | $55,000 |
| Production Animal (Bovine) Ultrasound Pregnancy Detection | $15,050 | |
| Remotely Piloted Aircraft | $36,550 | |
| Medical Office Administrator | $40,000 | |
| Electric Vehicle Service (EVS) | $157,500 | |
| Materials Handler | $22,500 | |
| Master Electrician Certification | $16,250 | |
| Animal Care Aide (ACA) | $26,150 | |
| Total | $369,000 | |
| Olds College | ||
| Hydraulic Operations | $36,000 | |
| Vertical Farming Technology | $36,000 | |
| Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) - Anaesthesia Technology | $36,000 | |
| Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) - Dental Technologies | $36,000 | |
| Agri-food and Beverage Processing | $36,000 | |
| Agriculture Technology Equipment Operator | $36,000 | |
| Total | $216,000 | |
| Portage College | Management Essentials | $80,000 |
| Total | $80,000 | |
| Red Deer Polytechnic | Complex Care and Patient Navigator | $61,350 |
| Classroom Support Aide | $60,000 | |
| Statistical Consultant | $62,100 | |
| Photovoltaic Systems: Design and Install | $96,500 | |
| Substance and Addictions Support Worker | $65,000 | |
| Total | $340,950 | |
| SAIT | Sustainable Mass Timber Construction Management Program | $180,000 |
| Revit in the Construction Sector | $102,000 | |
| Event and Media Production Technician in the Entertainment and Cultural Sector | $85,000 | |
| Construction Management in the Construction Sector Program | $118,000 | |
| Musculoskeletal Ultrasound - Shoulder in the Healthcare Sector | $110,000 | |
| Liquified Natural Gas in the Energy Sector | $45,000 | |
| Total | $640,000 | |
| St. Mary's University | Funding and Practice of Ethical Science Certificate | $149,183 |
| Total | $149,183 | |
| University of Alberta | Computer Game Design Certificate | $497,183 |
| Tenue de livre (Bookkeeping) | $50,000 | |
| Interprofessional Healthcare Simulation Series | $247,000 | |
| Physics Inspired Neural Networks (PINNS) | $100,000 | |
| Accompagnement de l'enfant autiste (Autistic Children Support) | $50,000 | |
| Electricity Markets | $45,000 | |
| A Reinforcement Learning Approach to Artificial Intelligence | $67,500 | |
| Tourism and Recreation Series | $57,000 | |
| Blockchain for the Supply Chain | $15,250 | |
| Social Procurement and Environmental, Social, Governances (ESG) Leadership | $13,500 | |
| Total | $1,142,500 | |
| University of Calgary | Software Development | $145,000 |
| Subsurface Evaluation for Clean Energy | $141,250 | |
| Digital Design to Fabrication Specialist | $108,000 | |
| No-Code Digital Innovation and Operations | $315,000 | |
| Total | $706,250 | |
| University of Lethbridge | Personal Financial Planner | $443,750 |
| Trauma-Informed Care | $395,000 | |
| Total | $838,750 |
Total micro-credential programs by region
| Calgary | 16 |
| Edmonton | 21 |
| Lethbridge | 9 |
| Rural Alberta | 27 |
These new programs will give Albertans the skills they need to succeed in high-demand sectors, including healthcare, technology and innovation, and manufacturing and construction.
| Sector | # of Programs | Total Sector Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and Forestry | 7 | $298,050 |
| Aviation, Aerospace and Logistics | 3 | $224,050 |
| Construction and Manufacturing | 9 | $924,150 |
| Culture and Creative (TV/Film) | 8 | $457,000 |
| Early Childhood Care | 4 | $260,000 |
| Energy | 4 | $240,250 |
| Finance and Fintech | 5 | $773,250 |
| Healthcare | 12 | $1,874,001 |
| Other | 3 | $321,683 |
| Technology and Innovation | 16 | $2,399,070 |
| Tourism and Hospitality | 2 | $224,543 |
This investment is part of our government’s larger strategy Alberta 2030: Building Skills of Jobs strategy, which we designed to make sure Albertans can get the skills and knowledge the need to meet labour market needs, support industry, and secure Alberta’s prosperous future.
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Demetrios Nicolaides
Demetrios Nicolaides was sworn in as Minister of Advanced Education on April 30, 2019.