Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides. (Government of Alberta/Chris Schwarz)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Provincial Politics

Collegiate schools and dual-credit programs see investments in Budget 2025

Mar 28, 2025 | 4:34 PM

If passed, Alberta’s Budget 2025 would provide more than $100 million over three years for school boards to grow career education programs, including funding for more collegiate and dual-credit programs across the province.

Career education programs let students gain credits toward graduation while gaining hands-on experience in fields like the trades, computer programming, health care, agriculture, culinary arts and more.

This money is helping schools partner with businesses, universities and colleges to create programs that will help students hit the ground running after they graduate,” said Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides.

Collegiate schools

Collegiate schools work with businesses, universities and colleges to offer classes that give students pathways to education and careers in the job of their choice.There are 12 of these schools in Alberta, offering different programming for Grades Seven to 12, including aviation, graphic design, trades and more.

If it’s passed, Budget 2025 will provide about $21 million to school boards to help fund special classrooms like carpentry workshops, film and media rooms, science laboratories, heavy equipment simulators and aircraft hangars, the government says. Another $6 million will go toward start-up costs for new collegiate schools.

Dual-credit programs

The 2025 budget also allocates $4.6 million in 2025-26 to start new, or improve, existing dual-credit programs. Of this, $550,000 would be provided by the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services for new and improved dual-credit health care aide programs.

“Health care aides play a critical role in ensuring Albertans receive the continuing care services they need to maintain their health, independence and quality of life,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services. “Our investments into career pathways for health care aides will provide opportunities for young Albertans to develop the skills they need to build a rewarding career in Alberta’s continuing care workforce.”

Officials say dual-credit programs give students a head start on certain careers by allowing them to earn high school and post-secondary credits at the same time.

An additional $1.4 million will also be invested to support students participating in off-campus career education programs through CAREERS. This non-profit connects students to jobs in high-demand fields, such as the trades, technology, health, forestry and agriculture.

“Before Fusion Collegiate, I felt lost and wasn’t really sure what to do after high school. Thanks to its career-focused learning and the opportunities through Fusion and The Educational Partnership Foundation, I’m now working as a first-year apprentice plumber with Mr. Rooter,” shared Francis Mazieta, a student of Fusion Collegiate. “The hands-on trades training, high school credits, safety certifications, and real-world skills I picked up completely changed my life. I’m excited about where my career is headed and really thankful for the support that helped me get here.”