May 9, 2008

Alberta budget offers more than $8 billion for education, employment programs

Edmonton

The Alberta government has announced that it will be investing more than $8 billion in education and employment programs in this year’s budget to help build a skilled workforce and improve the long-term sustainability of the province.

Post-secondary support in health care, apprenticeship, engineering and technology programs will get a $125 million boost while $86 million will support base operating grants and $23 million will support the policy of limiting tuition fees, reports the Alberta Index.

Almost $835 million will be invested in post-secondary capital projects as part of a three-year investment of almost $1.5 billion.

School infrastructure capital support of more than $1.6 billion, which includes the $624 million set aside for 2008 to 2009, will be used for the development of new schools, upgrading projects and capital maintenance and renewal.

More than $149 million in 2008-09 and nearly $450 million from 2008 to 2011 will be used for employment and training programs which include initiatives under the Canada-Alberta Labour Market Agreement that is being finalized.

DCN News Services

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