Alberta government investing in dual credit high school grants to boost interest in skilled trades

The province is ramping up its efforts to get more young people interested in skilled trades.

The Alberta government is investing more than $4.45 million into dual credit grants. The program lets high school students get credits that can count toward a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides made the announcement Tuesday at M.E. LaZerte High School in northeast Edmonton. 

"There are a large number of trades professionals retiring each and every year, and there are not enough young people filling the gap," Nicolaides said in an interview with CBC Monday. 

"We could very quickly find ourselves in a position where we do not have enough qualified tradespeople in our province, and that's very concerning." 

The purpose of the credits is to provide hands-on, experiential learning for students in grades 10, 11 and 12. 

Students can gain experience in fields ranging from engineering and carpentry to cooking.  

The funding is part of the province's 2024 budget. It's a bid to entice high school students to choose trades as a career path once they graduate. 

According to Statistics Canada, workers nearing retirement are quickly outnumbering young people of an age to enter the labour market, driving up the demand for new skilled tradespeople.

Last September, the province announced $12.4 million in funding for 2,000 apprenticeship seats. 

Earlier last year, the province announced $15 million in funding to add more than 1,000 apprenticeship spaces over three years.

Of the total funding, Alberta Health is providing $450,000 per year for three years to support health-care aide dual credit grants.

Health-care aides work with nurses and other licensed medical professionals to support patients daily.  

Dual credits have been an option for students since 2013. 

Since then, more than 9,000 high school students have participated in at least one dual credit course.

In 2023, more than 50 school authorities partnered with post-secondary institutions to provide students with opportunities to pursue their careers.

For 2024-25, school authorities can apply for one or both of these grants:

• Dual credit start-up grant of up to $50,000.
• Dual credit enhancement grant of up to $100,000.

School authorities have until May 3 to apply for grant money.