The post-secondary education system plays a crucial role in Alberta’s economy and society. In 2023-24, our world-class network of universities, colleges and polytechnic institutes provided knowledge and training to approximately 292,600 students.
Alberta’s economy has incredible momentum. We expect to lead the country in economic growth in the years ahead, but in order to maintain that momentum, we need a workforce with the necessary skills and training to meet the demand for labour and expertise.
All Albertans deserve to reap the benefits of this prosperity. That’s why we're making investing in the post-secondary system a priority.
Investment highlights
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$6.4 billion for post-secondary education
We increased the funding for post-secondary education by $410 million in 2024-25.
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$1.3 billion in capital investment
Over the last 3 years, we have invested in capital projects to make sure our students have the best learning facilities available.
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$234 million over 3 years for skilled trades and apprenticeship training
Our investment in skilled trades and apprenticeships programs is helping drive career growth and workforce development for Albertans.
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$1.4 billion in direct support to students
Through scholarships and awards, grants, and loans, we ensure that our students received direct support for their studies.
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$1.8 billion in operating and program support
Through operating and program support grants, we provide comprehensive support to Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.
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$312 million over 4 years to create seats in high-demand programs
Through the Targeted Enrolment Expansion Initiative, we’re creating over 15,000 new seats in programs that support high-demand industries.
Investing in tomorrow's economy
Alberta's government partners with post-secondary institutions across the province to analyze industry trends, identify economic opportunities and invest in forward-thinking solutions.
Building the skilled trades
As part of more than $2 billion we’re investing in adult learning this year, we are increasing funding for skilled trades and apprenticeship training by $24 million per year. With the additional funding, a total of $78 million will be invested per year, or $234 million over the next 3 years.
Some recent investments include:
- $1.5 million over 3 years to support Trade Winds to Success in the delivery of their Residential Construction Program.
- $300,000 toward Helmets to Hardhats to help veterans, reservists and others in the military community bridge the gap between their military service and Alberta’s growing demand for skilled labour.
- $11.3 million for a state-of-the-art power engineering lab at Northwestern Polytechnic to support the growing demand for power-engineers in northwestern Alberta.
- $350,000 to support the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955 in delivering training for the Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator – Mobile Crane Operator apprenticeship program.
- Almost $900,000 in funding to the TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary to create a series of exploration spaces designed to encourage young people to pursue a career in the trades.
We’re investing $10 million per year, or $30 million over the next 3 years, to modernize our apprenticeship programs to meet the changing needs of industry.
Strengthening health care
Training more doctors
We’re adding an additional $6.8 million over 3 years to increase the number of student spaces in the Doctor of Medicine programs at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary. Along with funding we announced in 2023, this makes for a total of nearly $38 million over 4 years to create 180 new seats for training more doctors.
Improving access to health care in rural and remote areas
To improve access to physicians for Albertans in rural and remote areas, we’re investing $43.2 million in capital funding over the next 4 years and $55.6 million to support operating expenses over the next 3 years. This investment will create Rural Medical Education Program Training Centres at the University of Lethbridge and Northwestern Polytechnic.
Investing in mental health
We’re investing $10 million over the next 3 years to add an additional 760 seats to in-demand mental health professional programs at Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.
The creation of new program seats will enable institutions to increase program capacities, improve educational offerings and prepare a new generation of mental health professionals to meet the emerging needs of our communities.
Mental health on campus
Students have told us that mental health services on campus are essential. We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to student mental health through ongoing dedicated funding to mental health programming and services on post-secondary campuses.
We’re investing $8.7 million to foster healthy campuses and support student mental health.
Developing more talent in Alberta
To keep up with demand, we are expanding high-demand post-secondary programs throughout the province, allowing students to upgrade skills or re-train for a new career closer to home.
Meeting aviation demand
Our government is committed to addressing the skilled labour shortage in the aviation industry. To do this, we're committing $6 million over 3 years to establish and grow Mount Royal University’s new Bachelor of Aviation Management program, enrolling 120 students.
Bridging the gap for internationally educated nurses
We’ve invested more than $18 million to expand and create over 1,800 new seats in nurse bridging programs for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) at post-secondary institutions across the province.
Expanding technology talent
From 2018 to 2026, through 3 rounds of seat expansion, Alberta’s government is providing $25.9 million to create more than 3,100 additional seats in technology programs.
Capital projects
As part of our plan to ensure the best learning facilities for Albertans, we have new and ongoing capital projects over the next 3 years.
An investment of $43 million to add 4,200 seats annually.
$63 million to add 440 seats for trade programs and 100 dual credit programs.
A $55 million investment to add 2,000 seats annually.
$12.9 million to offer programs to 450 post secondary students, an additional 2,000 students annually by 2030.
Making post-secondary education more affordable
In response to the inflationary pressures we’ve seen over the past few years, Advanced Education has mandated a maximum 2% domestic tuition increase per year for all public post-secondary institutions in Alberta. The new limit took effect in the 2024-25 academic year.
Additionally, to give domestic students better predictability for their tuition fees, exceptional tuition increases will not be approved for the 2025-26 academic year.
*Exceptional tuition increases occur when an institution applies to increase tuition for a program that would not be included in the 2% tuition cap.
To support graduates with student loans, we’ve also:
- reduced the interest rate on Alberta Student Loans
- extended the payment and interest free grace period to 12 months after a student completes their studies
- increased eligibility for the Repayment Assistance Plan
- modernized student aid shelter allowances to better reflect actual rental housing costs faced by most post-secondary students