Manitoba Innovation Framework

Skilled Workforce Strategies

Manitoba Education and Youth and Manitoba Advanced Education and Training are responsible for leadership, policy and funding for Manitoba’s education and training systems. They direct educating and training in both an economic and social context for present and future needs. Education is fundamental to a prosperous population and province. It is a fundamental support to scientific and economic innovation and this approach is reflected in the departments’ policies and programs.

Clear evidence of the Manitoba government’s commitment to education, training and developing a skilled labour pool can be seen in several important recent actions.

• Cuts in tuition fees, introduced in 2002, means tuition fees for 2002/03 will be lower than 1999 levels.
  
  
• Nearly $16 million in bursaries, scholarships and grants will be made available to post-secondary students – the largest amount in the history of Manitoba.
  
  
• A total of $24 million is being spent to increase the number of student spaces at colleges through the College Expansion Initiative.
  
  
• Tuition fee reductions, more college spaces, bursaries and partnerships with employers have already increased post-secondary enrolments by almost 19 per cent over the past three years.

Guiding Strategies

Each of the following strategies addresses particular stakeholder needs but also represent a continuum of programming in response to shifting labour market conditions and demands.  

1. The Training Strategy

This strategy is based on three broad goals:

• Build a skilled workforce aligned with labour market needs and emerging opportunities.
  
  
• Enhance access to relevant learning opportunities for all Manitobans.
  
  
• Create an integrated and high quality education and training system.

2. The College Expansion Initiative (CEI)

This strategy is revitalizing the public college system through government investment in new and expanded programs and initiatives. The investments support development of Manitoba’s current and future labour market in such key sectors as aerospace and information and communications technology. An overall commitment of $24 million for the whole province, spread equitably between the colleges, will increase student access and build capacity to develop a sustainable work force. Whether it is investments in distributed learning, tri-college programming, or community based training, one of the primary goals of CEI is to work with colleges to develop a sustainable, highly skilled, knowledge-based work force.

A commitment to developing a skilled workforce is evident in Red River College’s new Princess Street Campus. The new campus is located in the information technology (IT) corridor of the Exchange District in Winnipeg. When fully completed in 2004, the college will accommodate 2,000 students from around the province. The focus of the Princess Street Campus will be on information, communication and technology programs in response to the needs of the new economy. Building on the province’s well-established aerospace industry, CEI has committed $1.5 million to new and expanded aerospace programs. More than 84 skilled engineers and technicians graduate from this program annually.

3. Priorities for Advanced Education

Closely linked to the Training Strategy, is the Priorities for Advanced Education Strategy that guides resource and activity planning. Contained in the strategy documents are guidelines for skilled workforce development. The strategy states five broad goals for the post-secondary system:

• Improve student success rates in all programs and institutions.
  
  
• Expand the range of students served.
  
  
• Better integrate and support knowledge and skill development based on economic and social priorities.
  
  
• Build the capacity of institutions and the community to support learning.
  
  
• Build a learning continuum (provide opportunities for lifelong learning) in the province.

4. The Kindergarten to Senior 4 Strategy

The following priorities have been identified:

• Improve outcomes especially for less successful learners.
• Strengthen links between schools, parents and communities.
• Strengthen school planning and reporting.
• Improve professional learning opportunities for educators.
• Strengthen pathways between secondary schools, post-secondary education and employment.
• Link policy and practice to research and evidence.

5. The Aboriginal Education Framework

Manitoba’s Aboriginal population is younger that its non-Aboriginal population and is likely to contribute an increasing proportion of the province’s labour force growth over the next few decades. Departmental activities include both the integration of Aboriginal education and training within current departmental activities and Aboriginal-focused initiatives. The framework goals are:

• Improve student success and education completion rates.
• Increase skills training and employment rates.
• Strengthen partnerships and make them more effective.

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