When Premier Alison Redford put newly elected St. Albert MLA Stephen Khan in cabinet last week, she also blended two old departments together to create a new ministry for him to lead.
Both ministries existed previously, but enterprise and advanced education, the portfolio Khan now leads, were not combined in previous governments. In the pre-election cabinet, advanced education stood on its own, while enterprise was part of the treasury board portfolio.
Advanced education deals with the province’s post-secondary educations, while enterprise has been a portfolio dealing with business competiveness, labour attraction and other issues facing Alberta’s hot economy.
Still adapting to his new ministry, Khan said it was too early for him to say how the work of the two departments would be blended together, but said it was important for the province.
“There is a real initiative to harness knowledge-based industry and to position Alberta as a knowledge-based industry leader and bringing these two departments is a part of that vision and a big step.”
Creating a knowledge-based industry doesn't mean abandoning Alberta's traditional industries, but strengthening them and creating new ones, he said.
“There is certainly a component to diversifying our markets, but a lot of our knowledge-based industry is going to be an offshoot and drive some of our initiatives in the energy sector.”
In the government’s first throne speech under Redford’s leadership the linkage between the two issues was made clear.
“Your government will strengthen Alberta’s post-secondary sector, recognizing it as a key driver of a robust knowledge-inspired economy. By enhancing our trade and technology institutes and colleges, this government will help Alberta nurture the most highly skilled and trained workforce anywhere,” read the February speech.
In addition to recognizing the need for skilled labour, the speech also spoke of the need for good quality research to address the government’s problems.
“Your government will attract the world’s top talent to Alberta to contribute to a research agenda that will position this province on the international stage as a leader in helping to solve many of the world’s challenges in energy, water, food, health and improving our quality of life.”
The new focus on enterprise as part of the portfolio is a welcome change for NAIT, according to the college’s president.
“If one looks at leading systems around the world, competiveness really does require that there be tangible links to enterprise,” said NAIT president Glenn Feltham.
Industry is already deeply connected to what NAIT does, said Feltham and it is working.
“There is an awful lot of good that can happen with everybody at the table.”
Edmonton’s largest university also welcomed the change, University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera was not available for an interview, but in an email statement said the change was welcome.
“Our province recognizes the importance of advanced education, particularly as the province of Alberta extends its reach globally and considers the economic and social needs of the future, and we think the new ministry of enterprise and advanced education reflects that commitment.”
Students spoke with more caution in their optimism about the change.
“Hopefully that this is a sign that the government understands economic growth and innovations comes from the work of post-secondary institutes,” said University of Alberta Student Union vice-president Petros Kusmu.
He said the focus on linking Alberta’s education system with business shouldn’t exclude some programs.
“We want to make sure that the desire to promote enterprise and business doesn’t interfere with academic freedom.”
The NDP expressed similar concerns.
“Our advanced education needs to be nurtured and valued and students need to be central to that process,” said party education critic Rachel Notley. “I am a little concerned that this new configuration is going to make advanced education subject to the economic and enterprise interests of this province.”
