Targeted enrolment expansion

Introduction

Advanced Education plays an important role when it comes to supporting Alberta’s economy and growth. The ministry is responsible for ensuring that students gain the skills and qualifications they need to have successful careers in Alberta’s workforce.

Targeted enrolment expansion, which began in 2022, invests in new seats in high demand programs at post-secondary institutions across the province. By creating more space in high demand programs in key economic sectors, there will be more graduates with the skills and training that employers are looking for to support the growth of key industries. Students will have more pathways to successful careers, and our economy and communities will benefit.

Through the third round of Targeted Enrolment Expansion, Alberta is committing more than $148 million over three years in Budget 2026 to create more than 8,000 new post-secondary spaces. This brings the total investment through all three rounds to more than $461 million, supporting more than 23,000 new spaces across the province.

Investment by region

Total Funding and Seat Increases by Region

Region	Round 1 (2022-2026)		Round 2 (2023-2026)
Region	Total Funding ($)	Total Seats	Total Funding ($)	Total Seats
Calgary	123,227,073	4,199	21,998,703	735
Central	8,171,264	1,219	10,537,956	388
Edmonton	113,239,940	6,159	13,049,951	475
Northwestern	1,468,789	583	2,048,665	189
Northeastern	5,321,939	552	2,420,455	608
South	7,070,995	343	3,992,388	153

Investment by economic sector

Total Funding and Seat Increase by Economic Sector

Economic Sector	Round 1 (2022-2026)		Round 2 (2023-2026)
Economic Sector	Total Funding ($)	Total Seats	Total Funding ($)	Total Seats
Agriculture	451,838	48	-	-
Airline/Aviation Management	8,964,350	264	-	-
Animal Health & Veterinary Science	16,402,363	273	-	-
Business	76,795,859	4,349	2,816,850	222
Computer/Software Engineering	19,473,960	624	-	-
Early Childhood Education	3,733,975	258	-	-
Film & Animation	2,862,803	419	-	-
Health Care Aide	7,745,335	1,403	-	-
Engineering	19,273,446	609	-	-
Nursing	27,174,743	1,721	17,927,850	761
Paramedicine	1,166,800	66	6,919,763	327
Physician Assistant	-	-	6,845,274	40
Physical Sciences	19,398,600	600	-	-
Public Health	-	-	288,480	6
Social Work	1,766,504	177	-	-
Health Technician	179,286	96	4,951,766	33
Technology	53,110,138	2,148	5,528,825	726
Therapist	-	-	7,438,150	80
Other	-	-	1,330,160	156
Grand Total	258,500,000	13,055	54,048,117	2,548

Investment by institution

Total Funding and Seat Increase by Post-Secondary Institution

Post-Secondary Institution	Round 1 (2022-2026)		Round 2 (2023-2026)
Post-Secondary Institution	Total Funding ($)	Total Seats	Total Funding ($)	Total Seats
Alberta University for the Arts	-	-	394,704	66
Ambrose University	287,475	40	537,599	45
Athabasca University	165,000	120	637,000	420
Bow Valley College	6,056,310	533	1,692,318	98
Burman University	900,000	108	1,209,280	60
Concordia University of Edmonton	1,998,069	125	1,242,299	60
Keyano College	1,796,100	128	1,173,665	93
Lakeland College	1,117,534	188	-	-
Lethbridge Polytechnic	1,324,649	67	1,248,772	38
MacEwan University	5,235,400	632	5,220,476	216
Medicine Hat College	408,668	40	2,105,084	96
Mount Royal University	11,404,234	608	4,035,499	250
NAIT	13,796,852	564	2,308,859	48
NorQuest College	8,906,518	973	1,060,197	93
Northern Lakes College	582,560	200	429,090	60
Northwestern Polytechnic	721,229	263	1,354,364	128
Olds College	634,664	120	562,326	60
Portage College	2,408,305	236	875,000	96
Red Deer Polytechnic	6,636,600	991	1,328,200	180
SAIT	12,323,501	702	2,931,702	90
St. Mary's University	268,000	50	230,235	50
The King’s University	-	-	269,240	30
University of Alberta	83,303,101	3,865	10,387,030	116
University of Calgary	92,887,553	2,266	12,176,646	136
University of Lethbridge	5,337,678	236	638,532	16
Provincial Total	258,500,000	13,056	54,048,117	2,548

Round 1 Funding