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LABOUR: Alberta to invest more than $8 billion to enhance education and employment programs
        (AlbertaIndex, April 30, Wednesday) --- The Alberta government has announced that it will be investing more than $8 billion in education and employment programs as part of this year’s budget to help build a skilled workforce and improve the long-term sustainability of the province.
        Adult learning to help boost student access to post-secondary programs will receive a hefty 12.1% increase in investment to more than $2 billion.

Post-secondary support in health-care, apprenticeship, engineering and technology programs will get a $125 million boost while $86 million will support base operating grants and $23 million will support the policy of limiting tuition fees.

Almost $835 million will be invested in post-secondary capital projects as part of a three-year investment of almost $1.5 billion.

The budget will enhance affordability by continuing to provide student assistance and student debt relief programs in Canada. In 2008-2009, the total student assistance and debt will amount to $188 million. This includes a $103 million in scholarships, bursaries and grants, $18 million in grants to ‘Registered Education Savings’ plans and $67 million for Alberta’s student loan and debt relief programs.

The interest rate for student loans will be reduced from Prime plus 2.5 percent to prime. Meanwhile, student loans of about $126 million are expected to be disbursed in 2008 to 2009.

Advanced Education and Technology Minister Doug Horner said: “With the biggest ever advanced education budget, we’re focused on enhancing the accessibility, quality and affordability of Alberta’s post-secondary system for students.

“At the same time we are strategically investing in advanced education to address the province’s increased demand to grow and maintain a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.”

Operating support for Alberta’s kindergarten to grade 12 education system will be increased by $217 million to $5.2 billion which does not include a $187 million school property taxes collected by opted-out school boards. Teachers will receive a pay raise determined by the past year’s Alberta Average Weekly Earnings Index of 4.53 percent.

Education Minister Dave Hancock said: “Budget2008 will ensure Alberta’s students, teachers and school boards continue to excel. This funds essential technology and curriculum materials, innovative school improvement initiatives and numerous school construction and maintenance projects.”

The government has committed $18.5 million each year from 2008 to 2011 to further integrate technology into Alberta’s classrooms. This is in addition to the $36 million ongoing funding which includes video-conferencing and online resources enhancement and support.

The government will also be providing $21.5 million per year over the next three years to expand career and technology studies while equipment upgrading and curriculum development will receive $ 016.5 million each year and an additional $5 million for health career strategies for high school students. Additional increases to education include Class Size Initiative, Alberta initiative for School Improvement, and Special Needs Support.

School infrastructure capital support of more than $1.6 billion which includes the $624 million set aside for 2008 to 2009 will be used for the development of new schools, upgrading projects and capital maintenance and renewal.

More than $149 million in 2008-09 and nearly $450 million in 2008-11 will be used for employment and training programs which include initiatives under the Canada-Alberta Labour Market Agreement that is being finalized. The agreement will provide $52.6 million each year over a six-year period for career information and counseling.

It will also provide more support for under-represented groups such as Aboriginal Albertans, women, the disabled, people with low-literacy levels and immigrants moving into the work force. About $80 million is budgeted for immigration programs in 2008-09 and more than $248 million funds will be used for these programs over the next three years.

The new Community Development Trust is intended to support communities most affected by changes in the global economy while total of $104 million will be invested in Alberta’s communities and Aboriginal Albertans to support training and skills development over the next three years.


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