Dates of founding and/or dissolution:
The Department of Advanced Education and Manpower was created in 1975 by means of Order in Council 0514/75 under the authority of the Public Service Administrative Transfers Act. Creation of the department was formalized by the passage and proclamation of the Department of Advanced Education Amendment Act that same year. This Act created a new government Department by merging the Department of Advanced Education with the Manpower Division of the previous Department of Manpower and Labour.
The Department of Advanced Education and Manpower was effectively dissolved in November 1982 through the appointment of a Minister of Advanced Education and a Minister of Manpower (renamed Career Development and Employment in 1986). Transfer to those Ministers of program responsibilities, budget appropriations, and certain positions occurred effective March 31, 1983. The creation of the two departments was formalized in 1983 through the passage and proclamation of the Department of Advanced Education Act and the Department of Manpower Act, formally dissolving the Department of Advanced Education and Manpower.
Functional responsibility:
The department had two principal functional responsibilities: - the planning, administration, and operation of the post-secondary educational system in Alberta, including programs delivered through universities, colleges, technical and vocational institutions, and
- the planning, development and implementation of programs designed to meet the present and anticipated future manpower needs of the province.
The department was responsible for the administration of the Department of Advanced Education and Manpower Act, Colleges Act, Universities Act, Banff Centre Act, Trade Schools Regulation Act, Private Vocational Schools Act, Education of Service Men's Children's Act, Private Vocational Schools Act, Students Loan Guarantee Act, Students Finance Act, Alberta Heritage Scholarship Act, Apprenticeship Act and Manpower Development Act and all regulations under these acts.
Predecessor and successor bodies:
The predecessors of the Department of Advanced Education and Manpower were the Department of Advanced Education (all advanced education functions and activities) and the Manpower Division of the Department of Manpower and Labour (all manpower development functions and activities).
The Department of Advanced Education and Manpower was succeeded in 1983 by two departments, the recreated Department of Advanced Education and the Department of Manpower.
Administrative relationships:
The Department of Advanced Education and Manpower reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister of Advanced Education and Manpower. The Minister also passed to the Legislative Assembly the annual reports of four semi-independent agencies which reported to him, the Students' Finance Board, the Manpower Advisory Council (1976-83), the Alberta Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Board, and the Private Vocational Schools Advisory Council (1979-83).
Administrative Structure:
The structure of the department was hierarchical. The principal components of the Department were the various divisions listed below, each in turn made up of a number of branches. As well, a number of semi-independent agencies reported directly to the Minister of Advanced Education and Manpower and some offices with purely administrative functions reported directly to the Deputy Minister. Provincially Administered Institutions functioned as divisions of the department, with their presidents reporting directly to the Deputy Minister, who acted in the role of Board of Directors for these institutions. Provincially Administered Institutions included Alberta Vocational Centres and, until April 1982, Alberta's three Technical Institutes. At this time, the three Technical Institutes became Board-governed institutions akin to public colleges and universities.
The principal functions of the department were performed by the following units:- administration and support functions: Administrative Services Division
- long-term planning: various branches in the Program Services Division and the Planning Secretariat
- post-secondary program planning, development, co-ordination, and delivery, and development of campus facilities: Program Services Division and Field Services Division
- policy development: various branches in the Manpower Services Division, Program Services Division, and the Planning Secretariat
- student support: Special Services Division (1975)
- manpower development: Manpower Services Division
Names of chief officers:
Ministers of Advanced Education and Manpower:
A.E. (Bert) Hohol 1975-1979
James D. Horsman 1979-1982
Dick Johnson (Minister of Advanced Education) and Ernie Isley (Minister of Manpower) joint responsibility November 1982-April 1983