Alberta's economy is moving full speed ahead, with jobs ready to be filled in growing and emerging industries such as the skilled trades, aviation, engineering and much more. To ensure youth have clear pathways to pursuing higher education and good-paying jobs in growing industries, Alberta's government is continuing to enhance career education opportunities for students across the province.
Through the Alberta government's support for enhancing career education opportunities for students, $21.5 million in funding to support the start-up and expansion costs for collegiate schools is now available for school authorities in every corner of the province. This funding represents about one-third of the $64.3 million over three years provided in Budget 2024 to support new collegiate schools.
"The demand students have for hands-on, experiential career education programming is growing. Our commitment to expand collegiate programming across the province will connect more students to rewarding career pathways while giving them the skills and abilities they need to be successful after graduation."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education
Since collegiate schools were introduced in 2021, the demand for this type of career programming from students continues to grow. To date, Alberta's government has supported the opening of 12 collegiate schools to meet this demand. This funding will enable more school authorities in every corner of the province to have the ability to help students discover and pursue their passions by connecting them to career education opportunities in growing industries.
"Thanks to the Alberta government's support, we are sparking curiosity in our students about future possibilities and opening doors to rewarding careers in the skilled trades. The Calmar Collegiate Secondary School will provide students with hands-on learning experiences and connect them to industry pathways to build a strong foundation for Alberta's workforce needs."
Esther Eckert, board chair, Black Gold School Division
Collegiate schools are operated by school authorities in partnership with a post-secondary institution. Through these partnerships, students get a head start on their life after graduation by being connected to enhanced career education and apprenticeship programming, off-campus education opportunities at post-secondary institutions and the opportunity to gain post-secondary credits while in high school.
"Demand for career education continues to grow across Alberta. Alongside our excellent post secondary institutions and apprenticeship programs, collegiate schools play an important role in preparing Alberta students for the economy of today and tomorrow, and this funding will ensure more students across the province can take advantage of these incredible opportunities."
Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education
"Collegiates, in partnership with post-secondaries, will shape Alberta's future workforce by providing students with career education, technical skills and knowledge to accelerate their transition from high school, through post-secondary, and into meaningful and well-paying employment."
Laura Jo Gunter, president and CEO, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Alberta's government has recently made several improvements to the collegiate school application process to strengthen programming for students. This includes solidifying the role of industry, alongside the collegiate school and post-secondary, as an essential partner in collegiate school programming. The improvements will ensure that students can transition from the classroom to the workforce more easily and more competitively.
Quick facts
- Applications for new collegiate schools looking to open the 2025-26 school year are to be submitted by Jan. 31, 2025.
- Collegiate schools can be public (public, separate, francophone or public charter) or accredited funded independent (private) schools.
- Students can also explore career pathways in non-collegiate schools through optional programs, such as Career and Technology Foundations, Career and Technology Studies and Dual Credit.
Related information
