Mark Roy

Advocacy for federal support of digital/remote program delivery, increased youth employment pathways, and partnership on public awareness campaigns about the role of regulated career colleges. Promotion of employer-driven training, support for standardized national credential recognition (e.g., “Blue/Red Seal” programs), and advocacy for increased labour mobility and rapid response to workforce needs. Requesting equal access to input tax credits (GST/HST rebates) and inclusion in federal student aid, loan forgiveness, and repayment assistance programs, similar to public institutions. Support for a pilot program enabling international students at Regulated Career Colleges (RCCs) to qualify for Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWP), linking study permits to in-demand jobs, enhanced quality assurance for international students, and anti-fraud measures in the regulated career college sector. Matching funding to support training for military personnel, their spouses, and dependents to secure in-demand jobs. Advocacy for expanding the Veterans Affairs Education & Training Benefit (ETB), developing scholarship programs for military spouses, and supporting veteran employment and transition strategies. The NACC is proposing an expansion to funding for active CAF members and veterans to support skills training and development for military personnel and their families. This includes potential expansions to the Education and Training Benefit for Veterans program.

Engage the Department of National Defence on upskilling and retraining of personnel. Align new post-graduate work permit restrictions to provincial labour market needs, and ensure that colleges have sufficient lead time to put new credit programs in place to provide the training required. Work with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to discuss international student visa processing times and the need to expand the Student Direct Stream. Engage with government officials regarding skills training opportunities under the Skills for Success, Sectoral Workplace Solutions, and Just Transition programs. Engage Innovation, Science, and Industry Canada and PrairiesCAN to expand the AI Pathways Partnership project to develop capacity at NorQuest for learning surrounding AI and upskill learners. Engage in discussions regarding health human resources to identify opportunities to expand training and employment for Indigenous and newcomer health care providers. Engage Indigenous Services Canada in discussions regarding funding opportunities for Indigenous students in Alberta seeking academic upgrade. Engage Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to expand the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Encourage flexibility in learning modalities to qualify for post-graduation work permits. Access federal funding for newcomer settlement services.