September 24, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Premier Danielle Smith is directing her ministers to develop a shorter path into the classroom for Albertans who already hold post-secondary credentials.
In mandate letters issued Monday, Smith instructed Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides and Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall to create an “abbreviated” teacher certification program for people with backgrounds in relevant fields, bypassing the traditional education degree requirement.
“The real goal here is to help individuals with expertise in any industry or field qualify to teach more quickly and bring their wisdom, experience and knowledge into the classroom,” Nicolaides said in an interview.
Currently, Alberta requires all classroom teachers to complete at least four years of university, including formal teacher training. The proposed change would mark a significant shift in that standard.
Smith has also tasked Nicolaides with negotiating a new federal-provincial child-care agreement.
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