Central Alberta post secondaries and school jurisdictions want to further their partnership by developing regional collegiate programming to offer more career training opportunities to students.
The partnership includes Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Red Deer Public Schools, Chinooks Edge School Division, Wolf Creek Public Schools, Olds College, Red Deer Polytechnic, and CAREERS which is an industry-led public/private not-for-profit foundation.
In a March report, Red Deer Catholic superintendent Kathleen Finnigan said the initial proof of concept proposal for the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) was approved by Alberta Education on Feb. 27, and her division was invited to continue to develop a detailed business plan.
Related:
Central Alberta students encouraged to explore their career options
“CACI is the evolution of a decade-long, successful collaboration of four partnering school divisions, two post secondaries, and CAREERS which has led to several successful dual credit opportunities both individually as well as for our collective students,” Finnigan said.
“Establishing CACI as a collegiate region will allow us to further grow our collaborative practice of creating and implementing unique programming for our students.”
CACI will follow a three to four-year pathway centered around preparing students for apprenticeship, dual credit learning and career readiness experiences.
The first phase will focus on three cluster areas of skilled trades, and Red Deer Catholic has plans to further develop pathways in the areas of health care as well as technology and agriculture.
CACI partners are currently developing a plan for interested Grades 7 through 9 students that lead directly to the collegiate.
Related:
More dual credit programs coming to Wolf Creek schools
Finnigan said the vision of the project is expected to evolve as it moves into the business phase of the proposal.
“We are driven to create support structures that will ensure equitable access for all our students and utilize the incredible community business and training expertise we have in the Central Alberta area to further advance student success.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
