A partnership between Red Deer College and Olds College to ensure Central Albertan cities and towns have access to educational programs in their home communities is moving forward.
The colleges signed an agreement in May to offer non-credit and credit courses in smaller communities through the use of technologies like videoconferencing.
Red Deer College president Joel Ward expects the educational opportunities will include trades training, health programming and business programs. However, he said anything that the community would like and could provide students for could be delivered.
Olds College president Tom Thompson said a diverse board was established to oversee the project, including kindergarten to Grade 12 school system representatives, post-secondary and economic development leaders, adult learning, literacy and aboriginal education representatives.
Jean Madill was recently named executive director to oversee the Central Alberta College-Community Partnership and Jann Beeston has been named general manager of community programming for the project.
Madill has worked as the president and CEO of the College of the North Atlantic, vice-president of enrolment management and learner services with Lethbridge College and vice-president of college services at Grande Prairie Regional College.
Beeston most recently served as executive director of the Hannah Learning Centre. She has worked in Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, Innovative Communities Connecting and Networking and the Community Learning Network.
Ward said there are nine communities signed up within Central Alberta to create learning opportunities for citizens in their communities, with Sunchild First Nation being the first.
Thompson said he expects the joint venture will improve access significantly in smaller communities. “It’s built for responsiveness and affordability, so people don’t have to travel, and it’s built for improved access, so the proof will be in the pudding.”
sobrien@www.reddeeradvocate.com