SAIT Cuts Jobs, Blames Funding Squeeze

0:00SAIT and Calgary is slashing at least 30 permanent faculty jobs by months end, blaming it on tough funding squeezes from fewer international. Students signing up. Schools like this one leaned hard on those out-of-proven fees to stay afloat, but federal policy shifts tanked enrollments forcing these cuts. Adding to the pain, Alberta's government slapped a 2 percent cap on tuition hikes for local students while provincial funding dipped 10 percent over recent years. Tuition now covers 31 percent of college revenues, up from 23 percent just 5 years back, with international cash jumping from 7 to 10 percent before the draw-off hit. Experts aren't shocked folks like Tiffany McLinnon from higher education strategy associates point to a 30 percent plunge in provincial transfers. Over 5 years, leaving schools without diverse revenue streams, SAIT's also pausing peer mentorship, English shats, and student engagement programs, hitting staff and services hard.

1:01Meanwhile, the province's advanced administer says they're pumping in $63 million extra this year and sticking with the tuition cap, but a revamped funding model is in the works for next budget to match job needs and student demands. Domestic enrollments are set to surge 21 percent by 2033, so if institutions and government team up on stable, long term, planning, they might dodge more shocks and keep the talent flowing. I'm Corey with the story. That's your Calgary News Today update, AI powered and always on.