Palliser School Division, Lethbridge School Division, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, Horizon School Division, Westwind School Division, and Livingstone Range School Division are thrilled to receive over $6M in funding from Alberta Education. This funding will help create the Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute in partnership with Lethbridge College and Career Transitions and will encourage students to find career pathways and build capacity in areas such as trades, agriculture and the medical profession.
The foundational programming this funding will support will have a significant influence on the lives of students with the expansion of educational opportunities and career development programs. The proposal for the new collegiate emerged from the work of the Pathway Partnership of Southern Alberta. This group has been working collaboratively for several years to create opportunities for southern Alberta students to explore career opportunities, including dual credit programs.
Plans for this funding include creating a dedicated education space for secondary students at Lethbridge College. It will also further strengthen the partnership between Lethbridge College and the six school divisions involved. This opportunity will create more room for students to explore post-secondary options and experience hands-on, technical training.
“This announcement is fantastic news for our students and we are so pleased to be a part of the Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute”, says Jason Kupery, Director of Learning for Palliser School Division. “This collaboration with our neighbouring divisions and Lethbridge College, and Career Transitions will increase the scope of programs offered and give students meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities that will increase their skills and develop their interests. Career exploration is foundational to this Collegiate and we are very grateful for this opportunity to provide more avenues for our students to explore career possibilities”.
“Lethbridge College is pleased to see the approval of and funding for, the Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute which will be located on our campus,” says Dr. Samantha Lenci, Provost and Vice President Academic, Lethbridge College. “We are grateful for the meaningful partnerships we have built with area school divisions, industry, and community organizations and we look forward to continuing to work together to support students of all ages through their educational journeys.”
“When coupled with the strong support from business and industry for career path experiences, this initiative with Lethbridge College and the other school divisions will showcase the optimal model for career pathways that can be implemented on a larger scale,” said Lethbridge School Division Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Gilmore.
“Horizon School Division is grateful for its relationships with neighbouring school divisions and Lethbridge College”, says Superintendent Dr. Wilco Tymensen. “It is programs such as this that demonstrate our collective commitment to all the children of Southwest Alberta. We remain committed to ongoing collaborative endeavours that enhance our children’s learning opportunities.”
Livingstone Range School Division Superintendent Darryl Seguin says, “This partnership is a great example of what can happen as neighbouring school divisions including post-secondary institutions work together and collaborate in providing a broad range of programming options for students. The Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute will better prepare our students to successfully transition to career paths that may not have been available to them otherwise. We are extremely grateful for the funding from Alberta Education.”
Students enrolled in the collegiate will have the opportunity to pursue career exploration and training in trades programs offered at Lethbridge College, including: Agricultural Equipment Technician, Automotive Service Technician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Parts Technician, Carpentry, Baking, Cooking, Electrical, Powerline Technician, Plumbing, Welding and Wind Turbine Technician.