Central Alberta high school students had the chance to explore careers in carpentry, heavy equipment technician and welding at the World of Choices Summit held recently at Red Deer Polytechnic.
The World of Choices Summit is part of the Explore Trades and Technologies program, a one-year national program delivered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) Canada and funded by the RBC Foundation.
Twenty summits will be held across Canada from 2022 to 2024 so 1,500 high school students will discover career opportunities.
During the RDP event, 55 students learned about skilled trades through interactive activities and discussions with career mentors to better identify the skills, knowledge and post-secondary pathways that they need to enter the workforce as skilled trades professionals.
“The World of Choices Summit is a great opportunity to showcase Red Deer Polytechnic’s dynamic programming and facilities while helping youth to prepare for the future,” said Lindsay Engel, RDP’s vice-president of academic and student experience, in a statement.
She said RDP offers more than 80 industry-relevant programs in a variety of credentials, including 17 apprenticeships, that prepare students for rewarding careers and help to meet Alberta’s labour market demand.
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With flexible learning options, RDP apprentices can take courses and train at the polytechnic, online or in a blended format to accommodate their work schedules, geographical location and life circumstances.
More than 500 junior and senior high school students will also benefit from immersive learning within the CIM-TAC as part of dual-credit opportunities offered through the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI). The CACI is a partnership between RDP, Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Wolf Creek Public Schools, Chinooks Edge School Division, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, and CAREERS: The Next Generation.
For more information about RDP’s trades and apprenticeships, visit: rdpolytech.ca/trades.
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As part of the 2024 provincial budget, RDP will receive $13 million to expand its Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) so opportunities for apprentices and youth will continue to grow.
Red Deer Polytechnic said it also looks forward to receiving details in the coming weeks from the province, based on information outlined in the budget, regarding anticipated enrolment growth that RDP will accommodate in its apprenticeship programs for the next academic year.
RDP has more than 2,000 students currently enrolled in its apprenticeship programs.
“As Alberta’s third largest provider of skilled trades education, RDP looks forward to welcoming more learners in future years as we contribute to the province’s diverse workforce and advance Alberta’s economic priorities,” RDP said in a statement.