What will apprenticeship education look like in Alberta in the year 2030? This will be the focus of my speculative futures essay. More specifically, I would like to focus on the delivery of technical training at post-secondary institutions across Alberta. I believe that with the new Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Act (2022) and the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs Initiative, there could be drastic changes to how technical training is delivered across the province. Based on trade enrolment statistics and the previously stated government policies, there could also be a large influx of apprenticeship students needing technical training by 2030. Looking at this influx optimistically, there could be increased investment in technical training institutions, further improving student experiences. On the pessimistic side, the Government of Alberta has cut funding to colleges across the province which deliver technical training. This could lead to a significant raise in tuition, reduction of course offerings and few academic and support staff to aid in student success.
Regardless of the future I choose to explore (pessimistic or optimistic), post-secondary institutions will have to innovate by incorporating more technology and blended learning into course delivery while maintaining face-to-face learning options. With these technologies, students could benefit from increased flexibility and accessibility in training.
Edit (Oct.19 2022):
After reading and reflecting some more, I have decided to make three predictions in my essay.
- There will be a large influx of students and apprentices needing training
- Blended learning enrolment will surpass face-to-face enrolment
- Despite advancements in technology by 2030 there is still a need for some face-to-face learning
October 18, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Yes they will! I keep seeing TikToks about how the traditional college route is no longer a good idea for young people and how they are better served by eschewing university for a trade. I wonder if there’s been formal study of that trend that you can reference?
October 20, 2022 at 12:31 pm
Thanks for replying, Sarah. I will look for some studies like that! I found this article pretty interesting: https://stratatech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Full-Results-StrataTech3.pdf
“57% of those who enrolled in or have considered enrolling in a trade school in the past 12 months say the COVID-19 pandemic motivated them to do so.”
I think there are a lot of benefits to starting a trade, and I defiantly encourage people to check them out. But some downsides aren’t always brought up to have a balanced conversation. It will be interesting to see where the conversation will go in the future!
October 19, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Hello Tim, I look forward to reading your essay. Your three clarifying questions are well done and have helped me to think about how I might approach my writing. Is there support in your institution for the shift to more blended learning? Is there support or opinions from Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training system?
I am also looking at Blended Learning for trades education. Following are some resources that may be of interest to you.
Blended learning: the new normal and emerging technologies. https://educationaltechnologyjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41239-017-0087-5
Flexibility and Innovation in Apprenticeship Technical Training. https://caf-fca.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FIATT-Journal_Oct2017.pdf
Experiences with Blended Learning Program Delivery for Apprenticeship Trades: A Case Study. https://www.sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/ijhe/article/view/5639
How organisations are using blended e-learning to deliver more flexible approaches to trade training. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281059319_How_organisations_are_using_blended_e-learning_to_deliver_more_flexible_approaches_to_trade_training
October 20, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Hi Jessica, thank you for your comment and for sharing some great resources! Since the pandemic, there has been a shift to blended options. Interestingly enough, the government passed a new Skilled Trades Act in 2021, granting training institutions more autonomy in setting curriculum and delivering instruction. I know some trades currently offer blended options within the institution, and I would expect this to grow as time goes on.
October 19, 2022 at 10:40 pm
I also wonder about the differences between virtual and in-person education when it comes to the trades, whether it is a foundational trade or an apprenticeship. I currently believe that as advancements are made within education, there will always be a component of face-to-face learning that cannot be replaced. Do you think face-to-face, hands-on experience can be replaced by simulation machines that replicate real-world interactions?
October 20, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Thanks for commenting Agia! During the pandemic we shifted our theory classes online without much trouble. However the lab/shop parts are difficult to simulate. I think an example of this is cooking/baking. A great deal of the profession is based on the sight and smell of the food. I think it would be pretty difficult to simulate this. Maybe one day but not anytime soon!