The five-year renewal of the Campus Alberta Central (CAC) joint venture between Olds College and Red Deer College is great news for adult students across the region, says Bob Clark, chairman of the board of Olds College.
Speaking following a signing ceremony at Olds College on June 21, Clark told the Gazette that giving rural students education opportunities provided by the CAC is vital to the region's ongoing success.
“It's important to have this joint relationship with ourselves and Red Deer College,” said Clark. “It's a win-win for both colleges and a far bigger win for students in Central Alberta who have a second chance at education. It's a big step forward.
“A lot of them have left school and haven't been able to continue their education, so this gives them a chance to get back into the education system in one form or another. With distance learning it changes life for people. It's great.”
The CAC was started in 2010, providing post-secondary distance learning opportunities for adult learners in 21 communities in Central Alberta.
Dignitaries took part in the signing of a five-year renewal of the joint venture agreement between the colleges at Olds College alumni centre on June 21.
Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt said the CAC is an invaluable resource for the region.
“Keeping our students in our communities is so critically important to the growth, both economic, cultural and social, in each and every one of our communities,” Schmidt told invited guests and media at the ceremony.
“CAC supports increased assess to rural learning for central Albertans, particularly to ensure affordability and quality.”
In an interview following the ceremony, Schmidt added: “The CAC speaks to the importance of providing education to people in the communities they live in. They don't have to uproot their lives and they can continue their lives and better themselves where they are living.
“There are lots of people looking for opportunities to retrain or to learn a new job. It's tough if they have a family to move out of town to pursue their education. Providing these opportunities in their own communities is really crucial.”
Joel Ward, CEO of Red Deer College, said the CAC program gives rural students in the region unique learning opportunities.
“CAC becomes a vital piece in the puzzle because it takes these educational opportunities to learners, providing a conduit for them to complete a variety of accredited post-secondary programs and courses in the communities where they live,” said Ward.
Jason Dewling is the vice-president of academics and research at Olds College.
“We are fortunate to be in partnership with Red Deer College,” said Dewling. “The CAC is about bringing the educational process closer to the learner.”
Katelyn Hudgeon is a student who is currently taking the CAC's practical nurse program. Being able to stay in her community (Stettler) instead of having to travel to Red Deer has been a tremendous help, she said.
“It's absolutely affordable, especially since I get to stay home,” said Hudgeon. “I would 100 per cent recommend it to other students.”
Manageable class sizes have been another positive of her CAC experience, she said.
“We have 10 people in our classes so we are a pretty tight-knit group. So you can just imagine how much we get to talk to the instructors and ask questions and get feedback,” she said.
CAC classes are taught by Olds and Red Deer College instructors at regional learning centres in Drumheller, Rocky Mountain House and Stettler, online, and at the colleges' campuses and facilities.
The CAC is overseen by a governance team comprised of senior college administrators and regional representatives.
Olds College certificate programs delivered online through the CAC include accommodation guest services, accommodation management, agriculture and health equipment technician, rural finance and entrepreneurship, tourism business and services management, and veterinary medical receptionist.
For more information, see campusalbertacentral.com
"It's a win-win for both colleges and a far bigger win for students in Central Alberta who have a second chance at education. It's a big step forward."Bob Clarkchairman of the board of Olds College
