INNISFAIL - A proposal to create a multi-school Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) has received approval of its proof of concept and will now move to create a business plan, according to Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) superintendent Kathleen Finnigan.
The proposed institute involves RDCRS, Red Deer Public, Chinook's Edge, Wolf Creek Public Schools, Olds College, Red Deer Polytechnic and CAREERS, a not-for-profit foundation that works with industry, school divisions, government, and others to promote education for Alberta youth.
The first phase of the partnership application to form the institute was submitted to Alberta Education earlier this year.
“The initial proof of concept proposal, which was handed in on January 15, received approval on February 27 and as a result, RDCRS was invited to continue to Phase 2 of the application, which is a detailed business plan,” Finnigan said in her monthly report to trustees.
“In proof of concept plan, we articulated that 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.”
Establishing the CACI would allow the partner schools to “further grow our collaborative practice of creating and implementing unique programming for our students,” she said.
“The CACI would follow a three to four year pathway centred around student apprenticeship-ready, dual credit learning and career readiness experiences.”
Under Year One and Year Two programming, students will explore and engage in four to six courses within their chosen skilled trades cluster over the first year. The clusters are mechanical (automotive, agriculture, equipment technician, and heavy equipment technician), fabrication welding and steam fitter, and pipe fitter), and construction (plumbing, carpentry and electrical).
Year Three would see students engage and experience skilled trade career learning by streaming into one of two options: pre-employment and work placement (automotive service technician, heavy agriculture equipment technician, welding, carpentry, electrical and plumbing) and work placement where students move directly into chosen skilled trade through internship.
Year Four will see all students placed in their skilled trade career.
The CACI project will now be moving into the business plan phase.
“We are driven to create support structures that will ensure equitable access for all our students and utilize the incredible community business and training experience we have in the central Alberta area to further advance student success,” she said.
The Red Deer headquartered RDCRS has schools in Olds and Innisfail.
Trustees accepted Finnigan’s report as information.
