Educational partners, industry representatives and government officials learned about the impact of collegiate programming in Central Alberta during an information session.
The Cental Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) hosted the session at Red Deer Polytechnic on Friday, Jan. 24. The event featured panel discussions with CACI students and partners, as well as industry representatives.
"We're working to expand the understanding of the possibilities within that shared system," said Jackie Taylor, Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) executive director.
"The ability to name ourselves as a collegiate model has elevated our presence, which is why I think more and more people are asking, 'What is this?' We know that being able to do this is providing the right type of ready youth for industry."
CACI is a collaboration between Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division, Wolf Creek Public Schools, Chinook's Edge School Division, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, RDP, and CAREERS, which is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with schools to connect youth with employers, providing valuable paid internship opportunities.
The institute provides exploration, skill development and career coaching focused within skilled trades that successfully transitions students directly into their chosen career training and post-secondary programming.
CACI began offering dual credit skilled trades programming during the 2023/2024 academic year, with 190 middle school and high school students participating, and enrollment growing this year. Through CACI, partners collaborate to develop multiple career readiness pathways for students with a greater focus on a three- to four-year student career preparation journey.
"The collegiate model is about taking those building blocks from K-12, post-secondary and industry, and bring them together to create experience. What we've done (at CACI) is started with a focus on skilled trades," said Taylor.
"We're looking at how we can take those building blocks and create a multi-year experience of skill building, soft-skill building and industry readiness for our youth as they move from the age of 15 to 18. That's our focus. Our first iteration of the collegiate model is wrapped around the skilled trades need in Central Alberta."
Stuart Cullum, RDP president, said CACI has provided beneficial programming to the Central Alberta region.
"Today's all about sharing more information our industry partners about what CACI can provide in terms of supporting youth career readiness and pathways into post-secondary and careers," said Cullum.
"CACI represents the coming together of school divisions, CAREERS and two post-secondaries around the understanding that apprenticeship and dual-credit training is powerful. If we do it together, it can be that much more powerful."
Attendees of the information session also toured RDP facilities
Sophia Vilcsak participated last year in the Pre-Employment Industrial Mechanic program offered by the CACI.
“My interest in working with equipment started at an early age, as a good way to spend time with my dad and brothers. I learned about the CAREERS internship program when I was in high school (in Lacombe). And I really enjoyed my experiences at an internship with NOVA Chemicals,” said Vilcsak.
After that summer internship, Sophia enrolled in the pre-employment Industrial Mechanic program through CACI offered at Red Deer Polytechnic.
“I gained a lot of helpful skills in my program through great hands-on projects, and I’m excited for what my future career will be,” said Vilcsak, who now works at Collicutt Energy Services.