ALBERTA
Motive-Action Youth Pre-apprenticeship Trades Program
Provincial Dual Credit Strategy
Alberta Learning Information Service
Trades Work Program for Metis Persons
Provincial Dual Credit Strategy
PURPOSE: To support secondary, postsecondary, and business/industry partnerships that expands and creates sustainable dual credit opportunities for Alberta students.
MINISTRY
Ministries of Education (lead), Innovation and Advanced Education, Human Services and Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, Government of Alberta
DESCRIPTION
The Strategy was announced in May 2013 with the vision that high school students would have access to more dual credit opportunities.
Dual credit opportunities support learner pathways and student success by enabling high school students to earn credits for high school and postsecondary coursework at the same time, including preferred placement (postsecondary course exemption) and/or workplace certification. This approach offers learners a seamless, personalized pathway as they transition from high school to postsecondary training to future employment.
The program directly aligns education and labour market needs with the goals of the Strategy, which are to:
• Increase the learner retention and completion rates of high school programs;
• Increase the participation of young adults in postsecondary programs;
• Assist young adults in making meaningful connections to the current and emerging labour markets; and,
• Expand local partnerships to offer dual credit programming.
The Strategy is ongoing and spans three years (2013–16), with the Government of Alberta having committed more than $11 million to date, including $5.35 million that went directly to dual credit partners (school authorities, postsecondary institutions, and business or industry).
These partnerships allow for dual credit opportunities for Alberta’s students in the areas of agriculture, business and entrepreneurship, information technology, natural resources and environmental science, oil and gas, tourism and hospitality, health care, athletic development, health sciences, trades (e.g. automotive carpentry, cosmetology, electrical, and welding) and more.
Key areas for funding allocations include: Comprehensive Community Institutions to support regional partnerships and high school to postsecondary pathways, the AlbertaDualCredit.ca website on eCampus Alberta, maintenance of an arms-length Provincial Dual Credit Steering Committee and Dual Credit Coordinator (College of Alberta School Superintendents), education provincial dual credit pathways (including Career and Technology Studies Apprenticeship pathways), and student opportunities offered via system and community partnerships (largest source of funding).
Partnerships competed in an application process, with successful applicants receiving grants to be used to set up or enhance sustainable dual credit opportunities for students in Alberta. Alignment with labour market needs was one of the required criteria for proposals/funding. To date, 51 partnerships are in the process of receiving grant funding to provide a wide range of courses in identified program areas to students, including business, health care, liberal arts, tourism, and many trades.
Dual credit partnerships led by secondary, postsecondary, and business/industry provide students with more opportunities to earn postsecondary credits or workplace certification while completing high school. These unique partnerships are vital in providing Alberta’s students greater learning opportunities while helping to build Alberta’s workforce. Data will be collected from all partnerships and about the Strategy, with evaluation and information regarding next steps for dual credit in Alberta estimated to follow in 2016–17.
Related to the Strategy, a system-led Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer Dual Credit Articulation Committee has also been approved by Council, with its first formal meetings as a committee in January and March 2015. Committee work is led by postsecondary, secondary, and business/industry dual credit voting members, focusing on closer relationships, communication, information sharing, and facilitation of dual credit learner pathways and student mobility. The Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer Secretariat supports this work, with other non-voting ministry representatives/guests advising as needed.
RESULTS
A review of the implementation of the program is planned for year three. Meanwhile, planning and development for data collection tools and processes for all partnership grants and related stakeholders is in progress at this time. The Steering Committee is also contributing ongoing guidance. Results for the Strategy including recommendations and next steps are estimated to be available in 2016–17.
FURTHER INFORMATION
