Lakeland addresses budget challenges, suspends five programs
Back to SearchLakeland has suspended intakes into five programs as it adjusts to a reduction in its Campus Alberta Grant and reduces budgeted expenses by $12 million to meet 2020-21 fiscal year government targets.
The difficult decisions were approved by Lakeland College Board of Governors in April as the college prepares to finalize its 2020-21 budget. Lakeland also reduced department and academic school budgets and eliminated budget contingencies. Earlier this year a voluntary retirement incentive program was offered to employees.
“Lakeland must focus its resources on programming areas where student demand and the labour market align, and on research initiatives that advance innovation-based rural economic development,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Lakeland’s president and CEO.
The suspended programs include three apprenticeship programs and two certificate programs:
“Lakeland must focus its resources on programming areas where student demand and the labour market align, and on research initiatives that advance innovation-based rural economic development,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Lakeland’s president and CEO.
The suspended programs include three apprenticeship programs and two certificate programs:
- Gasfitter-Class A
- Steamfitter-pipefitter
- Instrumentation and control technician
- Pre-employment instrumentation and control technician
- Street rod technologies
No new students will be accepted to these programs for September 2020. Street rod technologies is offered at Lakeland’s County Energy Park Site near Lloydminster and the other programs are offered at the Vermilion campus.
“Our decision to suspend these programs is not a reflection of the value they bring to our region. We explored various options and gave careful consideration to factors such as enrolment trends, labour-market needs and program costs before deciding to suspend these programs,” says Wainwright-Stewart.
Lakeland will offer six other apprenticeship technical training programs plus two pre-employment programs at the Vermilion campus in the 2020-21 academic year. Different skill components of street rod technologies will continue to be offered through weekend vehicle restoration workshops, a continuing education model.
Along with reductions to non-permanent and contract positions, 35 permanent positions were eliminated, affecting people who served in administration, faculty and support staff roles.
“These decisions were not made lightly, and I wish the people whose positions were eliminated all the best. I know how hard they worked to help our students and our college succeed and how they’ve championed our college community. I thank each of them for their contributions,” says Wainwright-Stewart.
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