Administrators

Education Sector Workforce Planning

Attracting, developing and engaging Alberta’s ECS-12 education workforce

In the midst of Alberta’s changing economy, school systems across the province are facing some significant workforce planning challenges:

  • Increased retirement rates - the number of educators who are eligible for retirement is at an all time high.
  • Increasing student population - student enrolment is increasing in more than 80 per cent of school authorities in Alberta.
  • High demand for specialty teachers - the number of qualified teachers who are available to teach in certain geographic regions and subject areas is decreasing.
  • Attrition rates of teachers - the attrition rate for new teachers and teachers who work in rural and remote areas of Alberta.
  • Reduced number of graduates - declining interest in the education faculty of study.

To address these concerns, Alberta Education and education stakeholder organizations are developing ongoing strategies to support school authorities, alleviate pressures on the system and enhance opportunities for educators and people who are interested in a career in education.

A Transformation in Progress: Alberta's ECS-12 Education Workforce 2011/2012 provides a snapshot of Alberta's current student and teacher demographic portraits and projections. This snapshot includes information regarding student population growth, teacher supply and demand, information on specific student populations (i.e. students who speak English as a second language and those who are First Nations, Metis or Inuit) and other education workforce data. 

Education Sector Workforce Planning Framework for Action 

This Education Sector Workforce Planning Framework for Action is a 5 year strategic plan designed to provide proactive solutions to emerging demands in the education sector workforce. It is intended to serve as a roadmap for change in the endeavour to provide students in Alberta with access to high quality education professionals, now and in the future. The development of this comprehensive document represents the education sector’s commitment to attract, develop and retain professional teachers in Alberta’s education system. It articulates key challenges facing the education sector workforce and offers strategic recommendations aligned with the vision of having the right people with the right skills in the right places at the right times to meet the needs of learners.

New Teacher Bridging to Advanced CTS Programming – Carpentry Project

This bridging program is to prepare teachers to offer advanced dual credit programs in carpentry and complements the successful three-year old bridging program for journey people, health care and information technology professionals.

To qualify for funding to support a bridging program participant in your jurisdiction, superintendents are asked to please complete the CTS application and return it to marc.prefontaine@gov.ab.ca by February 28, 2012.

CTS Bridge to Teacher Certification 

School systems across the province face significant workforce planning challenges. Alberta Education is proactively focused on addressing the Education Sector Workforce Planning Framework for Action to address the lack of qualified CTS teachers needed to offer dual-credit advanced CTS courses to high school students. 

To qualify for funding to support a bridging program participant in your jurisdiction, please complete the CTS application and return it to satinder.dhillon@gov.ab.ca by November 25, 2011.

New bursary to attract teachers to northern Alberta communities

The new Northern Student Teacher Bursary, available this coming September, will provide financial support for post-secondary students who are interested in teaching in northern Alberta communities. 

New education subsidy to enable First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults to become teachers

The Government of Alberta has teamed up with Northland School Division and other northern school jurisdictions to provide a tuition and cost-of-living subsidy to support up to 40 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) adults in northern communities as they study to become teachers.

Learn more about the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) population:

A new provincial goal—Goal 3: Success for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students—has been added to the 2009–2012 Alberta Education Business Plan. Success for FNMI students is a priority for the Government of Alberta. Alberta Education will support the efforts of schools and school jurisdictions in developing, promoting and implementing strategies for greater FNMI learner success. 

ALIS

Alberta School Leadership Framework

The School Leadership Framework supports the Education Sector Workforce Planning Framework for Action, and it aims to attract, prepare, retain and engage leaders within the education sector workforce. It was developed by a committee made up of representatives from Alberta’s education sector stakeholder organizations and institutions. The framework reflects a strong consensus among Alberta’s education sector stakeholders about school leadership issues and the reforms needed to effectively address them.

Alberta School Leadership Framework

Practicum funding to attract student teachers to rural Alberta communities


The Rural Practicum Program, a pilot program now in its second year, is available for University of Alberta student teachers who are in their third or fourth year of studies. This program provides financial support for students who are interested in doing their practicum in rural Alberta communities. Partnering school authorities coordinate social activities, match the student teacher with a mentor teacher and organize a welcome orientation. Post-secondary institutions facilitate student teacher cohort meetings and provide additional support to the student teachers.

For more information contact Dan Ferguson by e-mail dan.ferguson@gov.ab.ca or phone 780-422-4604 (toll free in Alberta by dialing 310-0000 first)  

Information Sheet for Alberta Education’s Rural Practicum Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curriculum Coordinator Corner

The Curriculum Coordinator Corner is a resource that facilitates the twice yearly Curriculum Coordinator meetings. These meetings:

  • Are held during each school year in each of the six zones across the province.      
  • Bring together educational leaders who are responsible for curriculum implementation in their school authorities.
  • Provide an opportunity for these educational leaders to better understand new programs and share feedback.