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Training Opportunities Increase as Post-Secondary Education Gets More Money

Manjit Sing

Saskatchewan’s 2023-24 Common Spending plan will fortify post-optional instruction by growing preparation programs, subsidizing need foundation undertakings and supporting understudies monetarily. The post-secondary education sector will receive $764.8 million from the Saskatchewan government, an increase of $24.5 million, or 3.3%.

Growth that benefits everyone is facilitated by providing students with more opportunities to prepare for and pursue their preferred careers. The new money in the budget is $25.2 million, which will be used to expand training programs for important health professionals. In order to assist in meeting essential requirements of the labor market, approximately 550 seats will be added to 18 health training programs beginning in the fall of 2023.

In addition, $2.4 million will be used to train health care providers with international education, and $10 million will support the continuation of a 150-seat nursing program expansion. Subsidizing of $539,000 will uphold five new veterinary preparation seats for Saskatchewan understudies. These investments add to the capital and operating funding for these programs that was started in 2022 and 2023.

Infrastructure will receive $58.9 million from the Ministry of Advanced Education, representing a 90% increase in the capital budget. Equipment and renovations for expanded health training programs across the province, as well as the Saskatoon campus renewal project at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, are priority projects.

According to Advanced Education Minister Gordon Wyant, “investments in post-secondary education will benefit current and future students across Saskatchewan through expanded training opportunities, increased student financial aid, and facility improvements.” Our thriving and expanding economy is dependent on a diverse and educated workforce. We are determined to keep our students in Saskatchewan by offering them appealing local training options and fulfilling employment opportunities.

In the Ministry of Advanced Education’s budget for 2023-2014, additional significant investments include:

  • $8.7 million for an electrical infrastructure upgrade project at the University of Saskatchewan;
  • $6.0 million for design and planning work for Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s campus renewal project in Saskatoon; and
  • $4.0 million for renovations at the University of Saskatchewan’s Dental Clinic.

According to Wyant, “These strategic investments focus on our labor market’s most pressing needs and align with Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan and Health Human Resources Action Plan’s goals and direction.”

The third year of a four-year funding agreement with postsecondary institutions is represented in the budget for 2023–24. They will receive operating and capital grants totaling over $697.4 million, which include:

  • $431.8 million to the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and federated and affiliated colleges;
  • $171.1 million to Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and Dumont Technical Institute;
  • $35.6 million to Saskatchewan’s Regional Colleges; and
  • $58.9 million for capital projects and preventative maintenance and renewal throughout the post-secondary sector.

Financing to Territorial Schools for office upgrades incorporates $800,000 to extend Carlton Trail School’s specialized learning and exchanges office and $600,000 for another shop at Northlands School.

Due to increasing utilization of the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship and the Student Aid Fund, students will receive $47 million in direct financial assistance, an increase of 24%.

The following are included in funding:

  • $34.5 million (a 28 per cent increase) for the Student Aid Fund, which will provide loans and grants to more than 20,000 students; and
  • $12.2 million (a 15 per cent increase) for scholarships including, $8.6 million for the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship and $50,000 for new Indigenous Language Scholarships.

The Alumni Maintenance Program, the most liberal program of its sort in the nation, will keep on giving up to $20,000 in tax reductions to post-optional alumni who stay in Saskatchewan to work. These credits have been claimed by more than 81,000 graduates thus far.

Since 2007, Saskatchewan has made investments totaling $13.4 billion in postsecondary institutions and student assistance.

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