Colleges join forces to address drops in enrollment

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Portage and Northern Lakes colleges have joined forces to get a message to the provincial government that First Nation students in Alberta need access to the same funding opportunities enjoyed by non-Native residents.

The two colleges have formed a joint task force to draw government attention to the problems created when Alberta Human Resources and Employment (AHRE) began implementing its Skills Investment Strategy in 2001. During that same time period, First Nation enrollment at the two schools had declined steadily. The number of First Nation students taking academic upgrading at Portage College has dropped by 44 per cent, while enrollment at Northern Lakes College has decreased by 60 per cent.

"It's a direct result of the policy that was instituted in 2001, where First Nation students aren't able to receive training allowances as they're taking the programs. And they're the only Albertan's that can't," explained Bill Persley, president of Portage College and one of the task force members.

"These are Albertans. I think they can debate whether they're a federal responsibility or provincial responsibility for a long time, but we have people in need that need their education and they're not able to access the same kind of ability to do that as other Albertans. And I don't think it's right," he said.

"I think it's a debate over whose responsibility First Nations learners are. And you know, I just hate to see this group of people being impacted by it because they're the ones that really need an education. And their ability to get it is not there right now."

Under the Skills Development Strategy students living on reserve don't qualify for a monthly living allowance from AHRE while they're studying. The level of funding available to all students enrolled in post-secondary education has also decreased.

The task force also points to problems with the philosophy of the Skills Investment Strategy, which focuses on solutions that may get people working in the short-term, but does little to prepare them for the long haul.

"The government's Skills Investment Strategy often encourages adults to forego a high school diploma in favor of short-term skills training," a press release issued by Portage College states.

"Though the training programs are well-designed, graduates of these programs do not improve their academic credentials, which limits their long-term employment and future career advancement."

The task force members met with David Hancock, the provincial minister of Advanced Education, on Jan. 18. Persley said the minister was receptive to the presentation made by representatives from the colleges.

"And I think he believes that we need to address the situation and that there is a way to help in training people for the workforce shortages that are coming," Persley said.

Although the policy in question has a direct impact on advanced education, it doesn't fall under Hancock's ministry. The ministry responsible is AHRE, and the minister responsible is Mike Cardinal. Setting up a meeting with Cardinal is the next item on the task force's agenda, Persley said, adding that the task force plans to continue to work on this issue until they see some results.