Career task force report raises red flags

A task force report that aims to improve the way the grade 7–12 education system prepares students for careers is creating concerns about deprofessionalizing the teaching profession in Alberta.

Formed in September 2022, the government’s Career Education Task Force released its final report last week. Its 21 recommendations contain several that the Alberta Teachers’ Association has flagged as problematic for public education and the teaching profession. 

Among the problematic recommendations is a call to streamline and expand the use of alternative methods for industry experts to become certificated teachers without an education degree.

“These proposals are contrary to the interests of teachers and public education. They will continue to contribute to the denigration and deprofessionalization of teaching as a profession,” said ATA president Jason Schilling.

Another recommendation that the ATA finds problematic calls for teachers being removed from supervising off-campus placements and reduce requirements for safety inspection reports, thus putting students at potential risk. 

In a news release, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange seemed to endorse the task force’s work.

“Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring students have every opportunity to pursue their career interests and succeed in Alberta’s expanding job market. Thanks to the valuable advice of the Career Education Task Force, we have a plan to improve career education that will set students on the path to success, in the workplace and beyond,” she said.

The ATA continues to assess the task force recommendations and engage in internal discussions in order to create a co-ordinated response. ❚