AB advanced education mandate letter proposes increased seats, supports for career colleges, mental health supports

In a mandate letter to Government of Alberta Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney, AB Premier Danielle Smith outlined a series of goals for the advanced education portfolio. The mandate letter goals include accelerating auto-credentialling, investing in more mental health professional spaces at postsecondary institutions, increasing seats in key program areas, and protecting free speech rights. CBC reports that advocacy groups have raised concerns about funding and oversight in relation to the mandate to work with private career colleges to create pathways to the delivery of accredited diploma and degree programs. Sawhney reportedly asserted that public funding would not be directed to for-profit institutions “unless there is a compelling economic reason.”