NorQuest Career Skills Centre receives $4 million in Alberta Budget 2025

EDMONTON – The Government of Alberta’s Budget 2025 has invested $4 million at NorQuest College to connect people to the workforce and fill skill gaps in critical industries. The funding allows NorQuest to proceed to the planning and design stage for the Career Skills Centre (CSC), a new purpose-built facility on the college’s downtown campus that will shape the future of NorQuest and improve educational quality, learner experience, and learning outcomes.

“Unlocking NorQuest’s future growth is good for Alberta. It means more historically marginalized learners are being empowered with the skills and confidence they need to realize their potential,” says Carolyn Campbell, President and CEO, NorQuest College. “It also means more workforce-ready graduates who can step onto the front lines of Alberta’s economy, ready to contribute to employers across the province. I am grateful for Government’s support of the project and look forward to working with our community on its next steps.”

Located in the heart of Edmonton’s Education District, the proposed Career Skills Centre will be a 35,000 m² facility designed to accommodate 3500-4000 additional full-time learners. When complete, the facility will house purpose-built spaces for career-focused programs in Energy Management, Machine Learning, Engineering University Transfer, Digital Information Careers, Early Learning and Child Care, Environmental Technician, Arts and Sciences, and Health Care Aide. 

The CSC will also be home to NorQuest’s Indigenous House of Learning and Indigenous Career Centre to elevate Indigenous programs and learning philosophies and will also act as a research hub to develop responsive solutions to the most pressing problems of Alberta industries and communities.

A campus built for half the number of learners it serves

NorQuest’s enrolment has tripled since 2010, with the equivalent of 11,000 full-time learners on a campus built for 5,000. Projections suggest that by 2030, enrolment will exceed 15,000 full-time learners.

The total project cost is projected to be between $240 - $250 million, with a $185 - 190 million capital grant to be requested from Government. NorQuest will support the $55 - $65 million difference between the requested capital funding and the total project cost through a donor campaign, net asset contributions, and debt financing. 

Pending capital funding, the Career Skills Centre could begin construction in 2027 and open as early as 2029.

Media enquiries

Mike Reeves

External Media Consultant

Phone: 780.288.3651

Email: Mike.Reeves@NorQuest.ca