Higher education in Saskatchewan
[2] Over time the province's higher education system has changed significantly in response both to this demographic shift and to provincial politics.
[7] During this period, in 1964, the Liberals returned to power in Saskatchewan; between 1964 and 1961 they oversaw a program of "expansion and centralization of higher education".
[15] In response to the needs of rural residents, a Distance Education Program Review Committee was created in 1987[16] by 1989 the Saskatchewan Communications Network had been created to deliver "cultural, informational and educational programming and [act] as an enabler for the regional film and television industry".
[21] The new Minister, the Honourable Rob Norris, has the following mandate: [The Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment, and Labour] focuses on three strategic areas to meet its mandate of creating a vital, educated and skilled workforce that meets the labour demands of Saskatchewan employers.
[22]Among the first of the new government's actions was to introduce the $12 million Graduate Retention Program intended to address the mandated goal of retaining "educated and skilled workers" in Saskatchewan.
Even a cursory reading of Saskatchewan's post-secondary education history reveals the number and variety of institutions and programs specifically for Aboriginal students.
According to Bouvier and Karlenzig, Compared to other provinces, a relatively high proportion of Saskatchewan’s population is Aboriginal (13.5% according to the 2001 census).
[27] While some of this discrepancy is addressed in the 2008-09 Budget (see Finance, below), it remains to be seen how well Saskatchewan’s new government will do in terms of increasing access to post-secondary for First Nations and Métis students.
Increasing the level of education in this population, the report argues, would better position Aboriginal people to enter the workforce.
Non financial support plans include seamless credit transfer between the province post-secondary institutions, increase student accessibility to open education resources, focus on the underrepresented groups on post-secondary attainment and increase enrolment and retaining the people of Aboriginal descent.
It was a partnership, directed and managed by members, to support them in developing and advancing inter-institutional initiatives to achieve shared goals and priorities for the use of technology enhanced learning.
[39] Some of the regional colleges offer university-transfer programs while others are primarily focused on adult basic education and trades/ technical training.
Collège Mathieu is a small community college located in Gravelbourg while the Institut français of the University of Regina leads several degree programmes.
[54] The 2007 FNUC Board of Governors has 27 members, including Chiefs, Grand Chiefs, students, and both federal and provincial representatives[55] As recently as May 6, 2008, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) was contemplating censuring FNUC (or "FNUniv" as CAUT and others call the institution) "unless the university agrees to remedy gross violations of basic university governance principles, address concerns about academic freedom and respect collective agreements it has negotiated".
[59] Recently, SIIT's key goals for the year 2014 through 2019 focuses on responding to the needs of students ensuring that the graduates possess the necessary skills and knowledge to cultivate as self-motivated and continuous learners as well as contributing members of their respective communities.
Other goals include improving the quality of the academic staff, becoming an institution that values ethical leadership, maintaining transparency and accountability to itself and its stakeholders.
[61] It is "the only wholly Métis owned and controlled education institution of its kind in Canada" according to the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
[65][66][67] According to the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials: The legislation requires that institutions, programs, and instructors be registered with the ministry.
According to their website, Saskatchewan's Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Act 1999 establishes the Commission as a Corporation and Agent of the Crown.
[69]According to the SATCC strategic plan for 2012, key strategies include training which is to increase the number of individuals to move through the apprenticeship program seamlessly.
Support which is to increase the effectiveness between SATCC with government, industry, public and underrepresented groups especially women, First Nations, Metis and immigrants.
SATCC will also look into securing funding from the provincial government and relevant stakeholders to support labor market training needs.
[75] The Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loans Program offers a needs based supplement to your existing resources to help you fund your education.
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions and the ministry work together through the provincial TEL Action Plan to extend access to education and skills training and enrich learning by adapting technology-based tools, teaching methods and resources to meet the diverse needs of learners, both on- and off-campus.
The province passes the first Saskatchewan Apprenticeship Act, which provides a system for the training and certification of apprentices and the trades.
[84] 1952 The first National Conference on Apprenticeship in Trades and Industries provides a stimulus for the development of the Red Seal program.
[101] 2006 NDP Premier Lorne Calvert commissions Advanced Education, Employment, and Labour Minister Warren McCall to produce an extensive review of the post-secondary sector.
[103] 2010 Federal and Saskatchewan governments cuts more than $12 million in funding First Nations University of Canada over allegations of financial mismanagement.
"Expansion of Degree – Granting Status in the Province of Saskatchewan Report on Consultations and Recommendations" is published by Alex Usher 2011 (April) Dr. Brian Gillespie to lead Quality Assurance Review to develop a quality assurance review process that could be used to assess applications for new degree-granting institutions and programs in Saskatchewan.
The agreement commits to improving early childhood outcomes, increasing high school and post-secondary completion rates and improving participation in the labour market and employment rates 2011 Saskatchewan's Regional Colleges: Towards a New System is published, examining a new future for the regional colleges of the province 2011 The Saskatchewan Party and Premier Brad Wall re-elected 2011 Bridging the Aboriginal Education Gap in Saskatchewan by Eric Howe is published, suggesting increased education of the Aboriginal population in the province is key to creating an economic boom 2014 The Saskatchewan Party and Premier Brad Wall re-elected 2014 University of Regina celebrated 40 years of independence[106] 2014 University of Sasakatchewan fired President Ilene Busch-Vishniac[107] 2014 SIAST is renamed as Saskatchewan Polytechnic[108]
