Alberta government boosting career education opportunities in schools

Alberta’s government says it is expanding dual credit programming for students to explore career paths and make meaningful transitions into post-secondary education, trade designations or the workplace.

Government officials say career-based programming better prepares students for the jobs they want and supports job creators with the skilled workers they need. To support students transitioning to post-secondary education or the workplace, Alberta Education has announced it is investing more than $3.6 million in dual credit grants to school authorities across the province for the 2023-24 school year.

“Alberta Education is committed to empowering students to pursue various career paths to support success inside and outside the classroom,” says Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education. “Through dual credit programs, students can transition seamlessly into their next opportunity, whether it is post-secondary education, trade designations or various workplaces. Enhancing these opportunities is essential to encouraging high school completion and building a skilled, educated and engaged workforce to support Alberta’s growing economy.”

Officials say dual credit courses are career-based courses in grades 10, 11 and 12, where students can earn both high school credits and credits that count toward a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. Forty-seven school authorities across Alberta are expected to receive a grant for the 2023-24 school year of up to $50,000 to create new dual credit opportunities and/or up to $100,000 to enhance existing dual credit courses.