ACCOUNTABILITY
STATEMENT |
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The business plan for the three years commencing April 1,
2006 was prepared under my direction in accordance with the
Government Accountability Act and the government's
accounting policies. All of the government's policy decisions
as of February 23, 2006 with material economic or fiscal implications
of which I am aware have been considered in preparing the
business plan.
The Ministry's priorities outlined
in the business plan were developed in the context of the
government's business and fiscal plans. I am committed to
achieving the planned results laid out in this business plan
[Original Signed]
David Hancock, Minister
of Advanced Education
February 28, 2006
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THE
MINISTRY |
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Alberta's advanced learning
system comprises public board-governed institutions, the
apprenticeship and industry training system, community consortia,
private providers and community-based organizations. In
collaboration with the advanced learning system, industry,
communities, government agencies and non-governmental organizations,
Advanced Education strives to create accessible, affordable
and quality learning opportunities that are responsive to
the ongoing learning needs of Albertans. The Ministry's
2006-09 Business Plan identifies how it plans to work over
the next three years to enhance advanced education and learning
opportunities for all Albertans.
The Ministry of Advanced Education
consists of the Department of Advanced Education and the
Access to the Future Fund. The Department of Advanced Education
currently includes two core program divisions Adult Learning
and Apprenticeship and Industry Training and a supporting
division, Strategic Corporate Services. The core divisions
provide learning services and standards for the advanced
learning system. Strategic Corporate Services Division provides
services and support for department-wide operations. In
addition, the following councils and boards provide policies,
guidelines and advice to the Minister of Advanced Education:
the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer, the Alberta
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, the Campus Alberta
Quality Council and the Students Finance Board. A review
of the departmental organizational structure is planned,
to ensure alignment with the directions being determined
through the A Learning Alberta system-wide strategic
consultation process.
Advanced Education's vision,
mission and principles define the Ministry and support the
Government of Alberta's vision. The Ministry's vision is
its view of the future. The mission describes the Ministry's
purpose and reason for existence, and the principles identify
the Ministry's method of operating.
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ALBERTA'S
VISION |
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A
vibrant and prosperous province where Albertans enjoy a superior
quality of life and are confident about the future for themselves
and their children.
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MINISTRY
VISION |
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Alberta leads the world in inspiring and supporting life
long learning for all its peoples.
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MISSION |
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Advanced Education's mission is to assist Alberta to become
a learning society where all Albertans have access to the
opportunity to develop the learning, work and life skills
they need to achieve their aspirations and maximize their
potential to the benefit of themselves and Alberta.
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PRINCIPLES |
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Accessibility - Anyone who wants to pursue
advanced learning in Alberta should be able to do so. We must
inspire Albertans to take advantage of all opportunities to
improve themselves in whatever ways they want or need.
Quality - A
high quality education system must meet the needs of learners,
society and the economy.
Affordability -
Education must be affordable if it is to be an accessible
life long pursuit for Albertans.
Diversity -
Alberta's advanced learning system respects the rich diversity
of learners. It also acknowledges and adapts to the diversity
of communities, cultures and traditions, learner aspirations
and abilities.
Collaboration -
A resilient, responsive and adaptable learning system is built
on a strong foundation of partnerships, coalitions and networks
both formal and informal. Learning partners must be supported
in their efforts to collaborate in common purpose creating
a fully participating learning society.
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LINK
TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN |
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The
Government of Alberta business plan is an ongoing three-year
plan that describes the government's goals, strategies and
performance measures used to track progress towards achieving
outcomes. Each of the government's goals is directly aligned
with the strategic opportunities of the government's 20-year
strategic plan and with the Capital Plan. Advanced Education
ensures that its strategic priorities, core businesses, goals
and strategies support Goal Two of the Government of Alberta's
three-year business plan, which states: Albertans will be
well prepared for lifelong learning and work; and Goal Fourteen,
which states: Alberta will have a supportive and sustainable
infrastructure that promotes growth and enhances quality of
life.
Advanced Education supports the
achievement of the Government of Alberta's 20-year strategic
plan through strategic priorities and strategies identified
in the Ministry's business plan. The Leading in Learning
strategic opportunity provides the overarching direction for
the Ministry's strategic priorities, focusing on providing
Albertans with the opportunities they need to learn, adapt
and develop new knowledge and new skills.
The following table shows the
priority linkage between the Government of Alberta 20-year
strategic plan, the Government of Alberta 3-year business
plan and the Ministry business plan.
Government
of Alberta 20-Year Strategic Plan:
Leading in Learning Strategic Opportunity
Government of Alberta
3-Year Business Plan: Goal 2 Albertans will
be well prepared for lifelong learning and work
Advanced Education
Strategic Priorities for 2006-09:
Building and Educating
Tomorrow's Workforce
Access for All Learners
Affordability for All Learners
Quality and Innovation in the Advanced Learning System
Post-secondary Infrastructure
Key Advanced Education
Strategies for 2006-09:
Strategy 1.1
Implement an overall advanced learning policy framework
to guide the strategic direction of the advanced learning
system. To facilitate this, the Ministry will align
the organizational structure, as well as measures of
performance, so that they are supportive of the objectives
of the A Learning Alberta review.
Strategy 1.2
Implement the accessibility, affordability and quality
requirements in the Access to the Future Act.
Strategy 1.3
Support the development of a post-secondary application
process, and complete the development of the web-site
providing access to information and application processes
for scholarships, to enable learners to better access
learning opportunities.
Strategy 1.7
Further develop Alberta's unique cooperative arrangements
and strengthen Alberta's leadership in pan-Canadian
initiatives through the Council of Ministers of Education,
Canada; Canadian apprenticeship councils; and others.
Strategy 1.8
Co-champion the Building and Educating Tomorrow's
Workforce Top Priority and support other government
top priorities.
Strategy 1.9
Enhance Alberta's capacity for innovation, knowledge
creation and knowledge transfer in collaboration with
the Ministry of Innovation and Science, post-secondary
institutions and other stakeholders.
Strategy 1.11
Support the implementation of Alberta's policy framework
on immigration to Alberta by working with partners and
stakeholders to increase opportunities for English as
a Second Language, improve ways for international students
to access Alberta's labour market and enhance foreign
credential recognition.
Strategy 2.2
Develop strategies to increase participation in learning
opportunities by Aboriginal, immigrant and other under-represented
groups.
Strategy 2.6
Provide opportunities in local communities for adults
including Aboriginal, immigrant, youth and other under-represented
groups to return to learning to meet their personal
learning and employment goals. |
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SIGNIFICANT
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES |
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The key to our future prosperity and economic growth is a
robust knowledge-based economy, spurred by Albertans with
a desire to learn and adapt throughout their lives. It is
people and their ideas, creativity, knowledge and wisdom that
will secure the prosperity, economic growth and healthy communities
needed to improve the quality of life for Alberta's citizens
and advance us into the 21st century.
Advanced Education's mission
is to help Albertans acquire the learning, work and life skills
they need to achieve their full potential to the benefit of
themselves, their communities and the economy. The following
opportunities and challenges are considered significant in
that they could impact the Ministry's ability to achieve its
mission and goals. Advanced Education examines these challenges
and opportunities to determine the strategic priorities, strategies
and initiatives to support an advanced learning system that
focuses on quality, accessibility, affordability, diversity
and collaboration.
Globalization |
The world is increasingly
dynamic and interconnected. This changing geo-political
context includes rapidly growing Asian economies with
increasing demand for resources and competitive, skilled
workforces. The Alberta government works to maintain reliable
export markets, keep Alberta companies and citizens competitive,
develop the future supply of skilled workers and ensure
the full participation of all of its communities in the
economy. In the changing geo-political context, this means
Alberta and its advanced learning system will continue
to be influenced by international competition for foreign
direct investments, learning opportunities and high value-added
industries as well as the need for a highly skilled, knowledgeable
and creative workforce. |
Building Community
Capacity through Collaboration |
There is growing recognition
that affordable, accessible, high quality and innovative
advanced learning is a key to facilitating and securing
social prosperity, economic success and a knowledgeable
and healthy citizenry. To accomplish this, the Ministry
must continue to build strong community capacity through
collaboration with stakeholders and partners including
community-based educators, public and private post-secondary
institutions, literacy groups, students, Aboriginal educators
and leaders, business and industry, and immigrant and
disabled communities and other under-represented groups.
This collaboration will focus on expanded and locally
relevant regional access through the strategic application
of technology, expansion of degree granting capacity and
providing the tools necessary to allow all learners to
succeed. |
Diversification
of the Economy |
Alberta must sustain a globally
competitive economy for the future. This is an economy
that adds value across its traditional resource sectors
as well as new and emerging sectors such as life sciences,
nanotechnology, environmental and information technologies
and value-added manufacturing. At the same time, Alberta
must support learning in the arts and humanities to foster
the creativity that drives truly innovative societies.
The advanced learning system plays a key role in developing
and supplying this capacity. |
Sustainability of
the Advanced Learning System |
It is a government priority
to ensure Alberta's advanced learning system provides
affordable learning opportunities, increased access to
those opportunities, seamless transitions throughout the
system, more research support and the flexibility learners
need to pursue their career aspirations. To do this, the
Alberta government will need to build on the high quality
advanced learning foundation we currently have with strategic
investments in needs-based student assistance and debt-repayment
mechanisms, human resources, facilities, equipment, technology
and other supports. |
Public Values and
Expectations |
Albertans value their learning
opportunities and recognize their personal role in obtaining
them. They believe in an advanced learning system where
financial need is not a barrier to learning, one which
is fiscally responsible and accountable for results. Albertans
also want a system that improves continuously and responds
to diverse learner needs and considers their input to
decisions impacting the advanced learning system. In the
face of these expectations, there is a greater need to
communicate complex issues and demonstrate the return
on investment in advanced learning. |
Information
and Communications Technology |
To succeed in
a knowledge-based economy, Albertans need information
and communications technology that is integrated into
life long learning. The advanced learning system faces
ongoing opportunities and challenges to expand and build
technology knowledge and skills into learning experiences,
using the most effective and efficient technological innovations
available. |
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STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES 2006-09 |
The
Ministry has identified strategic priorities to support the
Government of Alberta Strategic Business Plan and respond to
the significant opportunities and challenges influencing Advanced
Education's ability to achieve its mission and goals for 2006-09. |
1.
Building and Educating Tomorrow's Workforce
Linkage:
Goals 1 and 2 |
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Alberta's economic strength depends on a knowledgeable citizenry
and a highly skilled workforce. This requires a learning system
that gives learners the opportunities and tools to succeed
and excel. To enable the advanced learning system to meet
the learning goals of Albertans and support a vibrant and
growing economy, Advanced Education will co-lead a Government
of Alberta top priority and work with partners and stakeholders
on strategies that support the Leading in Learning
strategic opportunity of the Government of Alberta's 20-year
strategic plan. The strategic and policy directions from A
Learning Alberta will also support this strategic opportunity.
This will help Albertans build the learning, work and life
skills they need to achieve their aspirations and maximize
their potential to the benefit of themselves and all Albertans.
Advanced Education will work
toward taking Alberta's advanced learning system to the next
level in a way that ensures it is affordable, accessible and
of the highest quality. |
2.
Access for All Learners
Linkage:
Goals 1 and 2 |
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People
are the key to Alberta's future prosperity. The success of
adult learners depends upon their ability to make smooth transitions
to, within and from the advanced learning system. Enhancing
these transitions, along with increasing access to learning
opportunities, will help Albertans achieve success in the
advanced learning system and the labour market.
It is particularly important
to ensure that under-represented groups have access to advanced
education opportunities. Collaborating with stakeholders to
improve First Nations, M้tis and Inuit learner success is
a priority for Advanced Education. Advanced Education will
also ensure high levels of awareness among students and their
parents of advanced education opportunities.
There will also be a focus on
expanded regional and community access through the strategic
application of technology, expansion of degree granting capacity
within the system, clarification of roles relative to communities
and provision of the tools necessary to allow learners to
succeed.
Increasing access to learning
opportunities will generate returns for Albertans for years
to come. |
3.
Affordability for All Learners
Linkage:
Goals 1 and 2 |
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Ensuring
Albertans have access to learning opportunities requires that
those opportunities be affordable to learners and their families.
Advanced Education will continue to work with the federal
government to ensure assistance levels support the cost of
learning and that debt levels are manageable.
It must also be recognized that
advanced education brings with it a substantial return on
investment to both the individual and society. Our policies
and programs must ensure that financial need is not a barrier
to learning. These policies and programs also must be responsive
to the increasingly diverse needs of learners and leverage
high rates of participation among all Albertans, including
Aboriginal learners, rural Albertans, immigrants and those
that are socio-economically disadvantaged.
Affordability for all learners
must address the priority of the system for assurance of inclusion.
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4.
Quality and Innovation in the Advanced Learning System
Linkage:
Goal 1 |
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Maintaining
the quality of advanced learning is a priority for Albertans.
The quality of the advanced learning system underpins the
ability of the system to meet the needs of learners, society
and the economy.
The achievement of national and
international standards is a key component in maintaining
and measuring quality. Advanced Education is actively involved
in cross-ministry, inter-provincial and international collaboration
that will lead to increased standards of performance. Some
of the current priorities for this collaboration include literacy,
Aboriginal education, system capacity and high standards of
excellence in the delivery of degree program opportunities.
Additionally, in collaboration
with Innovation and Science, Advanced Education will support
innovation and knowledge development within the advanced learning
system, and provide support for centres of excellence and
the transfer of knowledge to industry. |
5.
Post-Secondary Infrastructure
Linkage:
Goal 1 |
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Advanced
Education will collaborate with Infrastructure and Transportation
to enhance the infrastructure of Alberta's public post-secondary
system to facilitate delivery of high-quality advanced learning
opportunities throughout the province. This includes expansion,
modernization and functional renewal of post-secondary facilities
and equipment within the context of a 10-year strategic capital
plan. |
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CORE
BUSINESSES, GOALS, STRATEGIES & PERFORMANCE MEASURES: |
Advanced
Education has identified two core businesses that are the
ongoing key responsibilities of the Ministry. Within each
core business is a goal with specific outcomes that describe
the end results the Ministry wants to achieve in fulfilling
its mission. Advanced Education has identified strategies
for 2006-09 that support the two ministry goals and government's
20-year strategic plan.
Core performance measures indicate
the degree of success the ministry has in achieving its goals
and outcomes. In assessing progress, targets are considered
met if the result is within five per cent of the target value,
and targets are considered exceeded if the result is more
than five per cent above the target value. |
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Core
Business One: Support the Advanced Learning System to Provide
High Quality Learning Opportunities |
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Quality Advanced Learning Opportunities |
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Advanced Education
strives to provide increased access to high quality advanced
learning opportunities for all adult Albertans. It does this
through policy, programming and funding support to post-secondary
institutions and by working with industry to facilitate the
development of training and certification standards in the
apprenticeship and industry training system. Advanced Education
also continues to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders
to enhance quality learning opportunities for Albertans.
The following have been identified
as Goal 1 outcomes:
- Alberta's quality advanced
learning system meets the needs of learners, society and
the economy (linked to performance measures 1.a to 1.d).
- Albertans are well prepared
for employment and citizenship (linked to performance measures
1.e to 1.g).
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1.1 Implement
an overall advanced learning policy framework to guide the
strategic direction of the advanced learning system. To facilitate
this, the Ministry will align the organizational structure,
as well as measures of performance, so that they are supportive
of the objectives of the A Learning Alberta review.
1.2 Implement the accessibility,
affordability and quality requirements in the Access to
the Future Act.
1.3 Support the development of
a post-secondary application process, and complete the development
of the web-site providing access to information and application
processes for scholarships, to enable learners to better access
learning opportunities.
1.4 Implement responsive mechanisms
that support investment in the advanced learning system.
1.5 Develop a long-term capital
plan to address the infrastructure needed to support quality
learning opportunities in Alberta's public post-secondary
institutions.
1.6 Encourage increased industry
participation and investment in the apprenticeship and industry
training system in collaboration with the Alberta Apprenticeship
and Industry Training Board, employers and stakeholders.
1.7 Further develop Alberta's
unique cooperative arrangements and strengthen Alberta's leadership
in pan-Canadian initiatives through the Council of Ministers
of Education, Canada; Canadian apprenticeship councils; and
others.
1.8 Co-champion the Building
and Educating Tomorrow's Workforce Top Priority and support
other government top priorities.
1.9 Enhance Alberta's capacity
for innovation, knowledge creation and knowledge transfer
in collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation and Science,
post-secondary institutions and other stakeholders.
1.10 Implement the international
education action plan to position the international education
sector competitively and to facilitate the internationalization
of the post-secondary system.
1.11 Support the implementation
of Alberta's policy framework on immigration to Alberta by
working with partners and stakeholders to increase opportunities
for English as a Second Language, improve ways for international
students to access Alberta's labour market and enhance foreign
credential recognition. |
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Core
Business Two: Support Adult Learners to Achieve their Maximum
Potential |
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Adult Learners Participate in Advanced Education |
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Advanced Education
supports learners who aspire to participate in high quality,
accessible and affordable advanced learning opportunities.
This support enhances the opportunities for Albertans to develop
and apply the knowledge and skills that will secure Alberta's
ability to maximize its economic and human potential now and
into the future.
The following have been identified
as Goal 2 outcomes:
- Adult Albertans participate
in learning (linked to performance measures 2.a to 2.e).
- Alberta's advanced learning
system is affordable to learners (linked to performance
measures 2.f to 2.g).
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2.1 Conduct a
study to analyze the impact of the affordability of advanced
education and access to advanced learning opportunities.
2.2 Develop strategies to increase
participation in learning opportunities by Aboriginal, immigrant
and other under-represented groups.
2.3 Review affordability and
improve the design and delivery of student financial assistance
to continue to ensure that financial need is not a barrier
to participation in advanced learning opportunities.
2.4 Enhance the knowledge and
awareness of parents and learners about planning and saving
for post-secondary studies.
2.5 Improve learning access for
Albertans by enhancing transitions into and within the advanced
learning system.
2.6 Provide opportunities in
local communities for adults including Aboriginal, immigrant,
youth and other under-represented groups to return to learning
to meet their personal learning and employment goals.
2.7 Develop innovative approaches
to improve participation and achievement in apprenticeship
and industry training, in response to industry needs. |
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ORGANIZATIONAL
STRUCTURE SUPPORTING OUR BUSINESS PLAN |
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CORE
PROGRAM DIVISIONS |
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Advanced Education's two core program divisions, Adult Learning
and Apprenticeship and Industry Training, provide learning
services and standards for the advanced learning system. They
carry out the Ministry's mission and provide a framework for
achieving results and allocating resources. The core divisions
work closely with advanced learning system stakeholders and
provincial ministry partners to ensure program continuity
and smooth transitions for learners. Advanced Education's
core program divisions support the two Ministry core businesses.
Adult Learning
The Adult Learning Division works with adult learners and
the public and private post-secondary institutions to support
learners, provide learning opportunities and enhance the advanced
learning system. Specifically, the Division: funds post-secondary
learning providers; provides student financial assistance
to Albertans; coordinates and approves programs of study at
public institutions; licenses and approves programs offered
by private providers; funds, supports and provides community
adult learning opportunities; evaluates credentials of new
Albertans for learning and employment opportunities; and provides
information and policy support to the advanced learning system.
Apprenticeship and Industry
Training
The Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division works with
industry, employer and employee organizations, technical training
providers, government and ministry divisions to support the
development, maintenance and delivery of designated trade
and occupation programs. Specifically, the Division: provides
planning, coordination and policy support to the Alberta Apprenticeship
and Industry Training Board and its network of industry committees;
facilitates industry's development of training and certification
standards; counsels apprentices and employers; provides funding
for approved programs; promotes participation and certifies
individuals in designated trades and occupations; and
monitors the workplace for compliance with the Apprenticeship
and Industry Training Act and regulations.
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SUPPORTING
DIVISION |
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Strategic Corporate Services
Similar to core program divisions, the Strategic Corporate
Services Division is also part of the ongoing work that the
department undertakes to achieve its goals by providing services
that focus on department-wide operations and by facilitating
integration and accountability across the department and the
advanced learning system. The Division serves as a strategic
partner in program development and delivery through the provision
of department-wide business planning, performance measurement
and consultation, legislative planning, financial services,
human resource planning and information management and technology
services.
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ADVISORY
BOARDS AND COUNCILS |
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Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer
The Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer is a 15-member
Council, with representation from the public, students, the
universities, public colleges and technical institutions,
private colleges and Alberta Education. As an independent
body, which reports annually to the Minister of Advanced Education,
it is responsible for developing policies, guidelines and
procedures designed to facilitate transfer agreements among
post-secondary institutions. The framework for these admissions
and transfer agreements is contained in the Council's principles,
policies and procedures, published in the Alberta Transfer
Guide.
Alberta Apprenticeship
and Industry Training Board
The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board works
with industry to establish the standards and requirements
for training and certification in programs under the Apprenticeship
and Industry Training Act. The Board makes recommendations
to the Minister of Advanced Education about the needs of Alberta's
labour market for skilled and trained workers and the designation
of trades and occupations. The Board establishes or recognizes
trade and occupation-specific industry committees and appoints
members to these committees, and promotes participation in
careers, training and certification in trades and occupations.
The Board consists of 13 members, appointed by the Lieutenant
Governor in Council, who are knowledgeable about training
in trades and occupations and the needs of the Alberta labour
market. Employers and employees are represented in equal numbers.
Eight of the members represent employers and employees in
designated trades and four represent employers and employees
in other industries.
Campus Alberta Quality
Council
In spring 2004, the Post-secondary Learning Act was
proclaimed into law, which provides for the establishment
of the Campus Alberta Quality Council. The Campus Alberta
Quality Council is an 11-member Council that provides advice
to the Minister of Advanced Education with respect to the
quality of all proposed degree programs at both public and
private institutions. It is also responsible for monitoring
the programs once approved to ensure that the Council's conditions
and quality standards continue to be met.
Students Finance Board
The Students Finance Board is an 11-member Board appointed
by the Minister of Advanced Education. The members of the
Board serve three-year terms, and may serve no more than two
terms. The Board provides advice to the Minister on matters
pertaining to student financial assistance, including scholarships
under the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Act.
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EXPENSE
BY CORE BUSINESS |
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MINISTRY
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS |
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CONSOLIDATED
NET OPERATING RESULT |
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Go
to: Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Business Plan
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