Alberta rolls out $8M for post-secondary 'micro-credentials'
"There simply aren't enough skilled workers available to help keep pace with labour market needs and demands"
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The Alberta government is rolling out $8 million in funding for “micro-credential” programs at 21 post-secondary schools across the province.
Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced the step at Edmonton’s NorQuest College Thursday as part of the government’s efforts to gear higher education toward in-demand labour market skills.
He said the short-term specialized training programs can help jobseekers get skills quickly or let those looking to switch careers learn with more flexibility.
“There simply aren’t enough skilled workers available to help keep pace with labour market needs and demands,” Nicolaides said.
“Whenever I travel across the province and talk with employers, in many industries … one of the recurring things that I continue to hear about is the need for more skilled workers and the need for highly skilled talent.”
The government initially launched a $5.6-million micro-credential pilot program in 2021.
In total, the $8 million announced Tuesday will fund 69 programs targeting various skills at post-secondary institutions that submitted successful applications. Roughly one-third of the programs are at Edmonton universities and colleges, followed by 15 in Calgary, seven in Lethbridge and 26 in other areas.
Programs related to technology and innovation got the largest share of funding at about $2.4 million spread across different schools, followed by health care credentials at $1.9 million.
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