Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter

Province adds 400 new post-secondary program seats in the growing tech sector

Aug 22, 2018 | 11:02 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The provincial government has added 400 new post-secondary seats this September to keep pace with the province’s diversifying economy.

Working with post-secondary institutions in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge, the province is helping more students access training opportunities that will lead to employment in the tech sector in Alberta.

Most additional seats are being added to existing tech-related post-secondary programs that offer certificates, diploma or degrees and are one to two years in duration.

Lethbridge College received approval for 19 additional seats in its Computer Information Technology program as part of the government’s plan.

Accepted programs also had high student and labour market demand.

“Our government is making sure more students can train, grow and graduate with the expertise needed for good jobs in Alberta’s changing economy. Investing in more seats will ensure our booming tech sector gets the support of more highly skilled Albertans and will help our province continue to be an economic leader,” Minister of Advanced Education Marlin Schmidt said.

The additional seats are part of the government’s five-year, $50-million investment in growing Alberta’s tech sector.

By 2023, at least 3,000 new tech-related seats will be added to post-secondary institutions across the province.

The recently established Talent Advisory Council on Technology will work with the tech industry, students, labour and post-secondary institutions to advise the government on the best training opportunities to prepare Albertans for a more diversified and tech-savvy economy.

Lethbridge College Provost and Vice President Academic, Dr. Samantha Lenci, says they’re very pleased that the provincial government has recognized the value they can provide to Alberta’s technology sector.

“These increased seats will enhance not only our student access but also our community access. It will help grow our industries and increase our visibility in the technology sector.”

The college’s CIT program traditionally fills to capacity, with lengthy waitlists for admission. These seats will help to service that demand while adding to the college’s reputation as a leader in the technology field in a wide variety of program areas.

“This program is unique and extremely successful in Southern Alberta,” Lenci said. “We have instructors who are invested in students and student success, but we also have support from industry, the community and alumni that come back and stay involved in the program. This increase in our program size and investment from the province will show the community that Southern Alberta has a lot to offer as far as technology goes.”

The Growth and Diversification Act is part of the provincial government’s commitment to creating a diversified economic future that’s built to last.

Also included in the act are several tax credits intended to stimulate additional job creation in the tech sector.