Students deserve to pursue educational pathways that will set them up for their futures in post-secondary education, trade designations and meaningful careers in Alberta's growing economy. To help Alberta's youth get a head start on the future, Alberta's government is continuing to enhance career education opportunities for students across the province.
Through the Alberta government's mandate to support career education in the province's education system, government is providing almost $4.9 million in dual credit grants to support 55 new programs and enhance 22 existing programs for the 2024-25 school year. These programs are available to students in 58 school authorities across the province.
"We are committed to providing students with every opportunity to pursue and explore career pathways throughout their education. This new funding for dual credit programming will help students discover and pursue their passions, all while helping them get a head start on their future by gaining valuable skills and post-secondary credit."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education
"Health care aides are an essential part of Alberta's health care system. The health care aide dual credit programming offers students a valuable opportunity to begin their health care careers early and develop the skills needed to enter and strengthen our province's health care workforce."
Adrianna LaGrange, Minister of Health
The dual credit program funding will lead students to pursue meaningful apprenticeship pathways in the skilled trades, and meaningful careers in agriculture, health care and much more. This expansion of dual credit programming will enable school authorities to help their students pursue career pathways and post-secondary opportunities around their interests and passions.
"We thank the Alberta government for its commitment to expanding dual credit education programming in Catholic schools. Together, we are equipping our youth with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. Dual credit programming empowers our high school students to explore and build on their career interests, setting them on a path towards reaching their full potential."
Bryan Szumlas, chief superintendent, Calgary Catholic School District
"We are grateful for this grant, which allows us to expand our dual credit programming by offering a health care aide course next semester. This program will provide more students with the opportunity to explore health care pathways, earn high school and post-secondary credits and build the skills needed to succeed in careers that are vital to Alberta's future."
Sandra Palazzo, board chair, Edmonton Catholic Schools
Dual credit programs are operated in partnership with post-secondary schools or in line with apprenticeship education pathways and are available to students in the public, separate, francophone, charter, First Nations and independent school systems. These programs provide career-based courses for students in grades 10, 11 and 12 to earn both high school credits and credits that count toward a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.
Quick facts
- Since 2019, $18.6 million has been provided to school authorities for dual credit programming.
- School authorities receive up to $50,000 to support the startup costs for new dual credit programs and up to $100,000 to enhance existing dual credit programs.
- Alberta Education is providing $4.3 million of the funding for dual credit programs this year.
- Alberta Health is providing $550,000 to support eight health care aide dual credit programs among the 77 funded programs.
- Between 2013 and 2023, about 83,000 high school students participated in at least one dual credit course.
Related information
