Manitoba's Action Strategy for Economic Growth
Education and Skills
Manitoba’s economic strategy begins with a comprehensive education and
skills development plan. The province is making great strides in expanding
the quality, accessibility and affordability of post-secondary education
and training, providing the knowledge and skills Manitobans need in an
increasingly competitive economy.
Manitoba’s strategy is designed to meet the demands of the future by increasing enrolments and training opportunities through:
- keeping education affordable – a 10% tuition reduction has helped to support dramatic enrolment increases of 34% for universities and 32% for colleges;
- providing fully offsetting revenue to universities and colleges to compensate for the tuition reduction – a total of $95 million since 2000;
funding over 80 new and expanded programs through the College
Expansion Initiative to address skill shortages in key growth sectors; and- increasing support to ACCESS programs to enhance accessibility and successful completion of post-secondary education for under-represented groups.
In support of education excellence, Manitoba made a $60 million three-year funding commitment for post-secondary education in 2006 – the largest commitment of its kind in Manitoba’s history. In 2007, Manitoba strengthened this commitment by providing colleges and universities with an average funding increase of 7%.
Another element of Manitoba’s strategy is to encourage young people who
have completed their education and training to put down roots and start
their careers in Manitoba. This initiative includes:
- creating a new 60% tuition rebate for all post-secondary graduates who live and work in the province;
- committing $2 million for new Manitoba Graduate Scholarships and adding $2 million to Manitoba bursaries to help post-secondary students reduce their education debt;
- expanding the 10% Co-operative Education Tax Credit to more employers; and
- introducing a Co-operative Graduates Hiring Incentive to support employers who hire recent graduates of co-op education programs.
The government has also supported major post-secondary capital projects
totalling over $400 million, including:
- contributing $50 million to kick start the University of Manitoba’s successful $237 million capital campaign;
- committing up to $25 million to the University of Winnipeg for its capital campaign and the new Richardson College for the Environment;
- working with the City of Brandon to relocate Assiniboine Community College to its new home at North Hill;
- committing an additional $45 million for the University College of the North for capital improvements at The Pas and Thompson, and new regional centres; and
- funding capital improvements at Brandon University and Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface.
The booming mining and construction sectors coupled with strong
economic growth generally have increased labour market pressures in
Manitoba. Business leaders have made it clear that the availability of skilled
labour is critical to maintaining growth. The province is committed to
investing in the training and development needed to remain competitive.
Manitoba is taking action by:
- modernizing the current apprenticeship system to keep pace with industry needs;
- expanding the sector councils which have delivered training to over 12,000 new and existing workers in 2006, a 65% increase since 2000;
- developing an alternative diploma to recognize work experience and academic credentials;
- supporting new credit transfer arrangements between colleges and universities;
- advancing Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition in educational institutions and in the workplace;
- committing more flexible funding to address training needs in key areas of the economy; and
- providing valuable training and work experience on major infrastructure projects, including the Red River Floodway Expansion and Hydro Northern Training Initiative.
Through sustained efforts in promoting trades and trades training, the
province’s apprenticeships have increased by 52% since 1999. Aboriginal
apprentice registrations more than tripled and the number of certified
journeypersons increased by 47%. Further investments over the next four
years will build on the accomplishments of the Technical Vocational Initiative
to address current and emerging industry and labour market needs.
The government also recognizes the need to invest in higher levels of literacy and essential skills to support the long-term well-being of individuals, families and the provincial workforce. Manitoba has created a new system of well-regulated Adult Learning Centres offering high-quality programming. In 2006, the province introduced The Adult Literacy Act – the first of its kind in Canada. This approach is delivering results – the number of Adult Learning Centre graduates has risen 96% in five years.
Support for education in the early years is also showing positive results. Manitoba’s high school graduation rate continues to improve. The government has supported high-quality public school education through increasing funding for public schools by the rate of economic growth, with total funding reaching $956 million in 2007. Building on this commitment, the province has committed to increase the provincial share of public school funding from 70% to 80% of total public school expenditures.
