Providing new learning opportunities
By Leela Sharon Aheer Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
Hello Chestermere-Strathmore readers. I wanted to chat with you about a new program being offered by your government. A $4 million in dual credit grants will be made available for the 2022-23 school year so eligible school authorities can offer more dual credit learning experiences for students in Grades 10, 11 and 12.
Students may take this optional dual credit career-based programming to earn both high school credits and credits that count toward a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree, including a journeyperson certificate.
Dual credit grants will support new learning opportunities that span many industries and professions, such as health care, trades, agriculture, and business administration.
We are also providing $23 million for the development of Quantum City at the University of Calgary in a strategic partnership with the University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge. Quantum City will build on the incredible momentum in Alberta’s technology sector by accelerating the development, application, and uptake of Alberta-grown quantum technologies. The technology and innovation sector in Alberta continues to grow, with venture capital investment hitting record highs and the number of tech companies expanding rapidly.
Alberta’s Technology and Innovation Strategy aims to keep that momentum going and help create 20,000 new jobs and $5 billion more in annual revenue by 2030. Thank you to all the tech companies, and folks who helped bring this program to fruition. This partnership with the University of Calgary is part of diversifying our economy, as we all work towards job creation in this fantastic sector.
Finally, we are working on more supports for mental health in rural Alberta. The expansion of these services is to make sure that counselling is affordable and available to all Albertans no matter where you live. This is an amazing partnership with Counselling Alberta, to ensure that every Albertan has access to the support they may need to improve their mental health.
Counselling Alberta will provide virtual mental health counselling services across Alberta starting immediately.
Beginning this summer, they will also partner with local organizations across the province to provide affordable in-person mental health counselling options. Our government is providing Counselling Alberta with $6.75 million over two years to expand access to affordable and accessible mental health supports in Alberta.
Congratulations to all Albertans, to your resilience and your get ‘er done work ethic. The job numbers we have seen in this province is because of your hard work, and because you are the strongest and most innovative people in the world. I am so proud and optimistic about our future, as we head into the summer. Thank you for all you do! As always, we love to hear from you!
(Leela Sharon Aheer is the MLA Elect for Chestermere-Strathmore)