Carnage continues in post-secondary education
CALGARY – Post-secondary education in Alberta has taken yet another hit, with government budget squeezes leading to jobs cut at Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts).
“Every week seems to bring more bad news for Albertans trying to learn new skills so they can get jobs,” says Bobby-Joe Borodey, vice-president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), which represents more than 95,000 workers, including about 10,000 in education.
“The Alberta University of the Arts has earned a world-class reputation for preparing people for successful careers. Right now, when so many Albertans have lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic and collapse in oil prices, Alberta should be investing in post-secondary education to help them,” she says.
“Instead, we see jobs being cut, programs being cut, supports being cut and the hopes and dreams of Albertans wanting to improve their skills and their prospects for employment being dashed. This government has clearly given up on its promise to create jobs.”
Four members of the AUPE have been told that their jobs will be gone on July 1. They are a woodshop technician, a registration analyst, a program assistant and a strategic lead in alumni engagement.
AUArts said the permanent job cuts were a result of reductions to budgets imposed by the government of Alberta. The university is facing a 12-per-cent or $3.15 million cut to its budget for the coming year and says it anticipates more cuts in the coming four years.
-30-
Bobby-Joe Borodey is available for interviews.
For more information, please contact Terry Inigo-Jones, AUPE communications, at 403-831-4394.