MH College president/CEO says budget is ‘favourable’

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 26, 2022.

kking@medicinehatnews.com

Officials at Medicine Hat College are pleased with funding increases outlined in the province’s 2022 budget, despite decreases it receives from several operating and capital maintenance grants.

“Yesterday’s announcement is favourable for Medicine Hat College,” president and CEO Kevin Shufflebotham said in a Friday press release. “We are aware of the government’s commitment to a post-secondary system that aligns to the workplace and we’ve worked hard to ensure our own plans support access to programs that lead to jobs.”

In the release, Shufflebotham highlighted Alberta’s $6-million investment in Work Integrated Learning opportunities, particularly those within the fields of technology, energy, finance, aviation and health care. Shufflebotham believes such investments align with MHC’s interests in offering more WIL opportunities and creating additional spaces for students joining in-demand fields of study.

“We’re steadily expanding WIL opportunities across our programs,” he said. “We’re also planning to welcome more students in the Practical Nurse program and will have a new apprenticeship-style program in Data Analytic ready for students in 2023.”

Shufflebotham also touched on the college’s goal of creating more spaces and enhancing supports for Indigenous students.

MHC did lose one per cent of its Operating and Program Support Base Grant – which totals $183,794 – and 33 per cent of its capital maintenance grant – totalling $673,879.

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