Red Deer Polytechnic is entering a new school year with “stabilized” growth and plans to boost enrolment through new programs.
New RDP president Stuart Cullum said student enrolment is up by about 1.6 per cent over last year. About 6,300 full-time equivalent students have enrolled at RDP this fall, including seven per cent (0r 300) Indigenous students and about 500 international students.
Despite the slight increase from 2021, the overall number of registrants is still down from the approximately 7,300 students who attended RDP before the pandemic.
Cullum said the economy and COVID-19 have factored in the decline. Enrolment in certain trades goes up or down with job prospects. He explained that good prospects can send more people into apprenticeship programs — and the reverse can also happen, depending on the trade.
But he believes “life-long learning,” including getting some post-secondary education — will continue to be important for anyone who’s starting a career and wants to seize more opportunities in future.
“We are pleased to return to a more typical teaching and learning environment… and to engage with even more community members and central Alberta businesses,” added Cullum on Tuesday.
Students from a variety of RDP programs will be able to complete their practicum experiences at the Child Advocacy Centre when it opens in 2023. It is now being constructed on the main campus of the Polytechnic.
RDP officials are also working to attract more students through a variety of new fall programs, including a Bachelor of Education Degree, a Therapeutic Massage Therapy Diploma, Paralegal Certificate, and Indigenous Care Aid Micro-credential (a short course to quickly teach or upgrade a skill).
The winter term will offer a new Machine Learning Analyst Diploma, Computer Programming Diploma and a Life and Employment Skills Certificate.
Kylie Thomas, college provost and vice-president academic, said RDP welcomes new students at any time of year, even if they missed fall registration.
Thomas noted there are also more student spots available now in programs such as nursing for evening and weekend classes, “so people can continue to earn as they learn.”
Open Studies is another way to “stick your toes in the water ” and get a taste of post-secondary learning, she added. “We can still deliver arts culture, humanities, social sciences, all the options are still there, including seven new degree programs.”
Savannah Snow, president of the RDP Student Association, feels it’s “exciting” to see more students in the hallways again.
While she believes there could be hesitancy by some students to return to the classroom because of COVID concerns, she believes education is more engaging when experienced in-person.
Wearing masks will be optional on campus this fall. But RDP officials say they will be promoting a safe campus by offering alternative learning options for those who feel sick or who have illness in the family and don’t want to potentially expose others.
“We will attempt to accommodate online and other flexible and hybrid learning options,” added Thomas.
Red Deer Polytechnic has outreach campuses in 20 central Alberta locations, including Ponoka, Rocky Mountain House, Stettler, Sundre and Hanna.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
