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By Shaun Penner

GPRC Transition

Notley, NDP still pushing for GPRC to transition to university status

Apr 27, 2021 | 6:09 PM

It was a promise she and her government made in 2018 and is still something Rachel Notley would like to see come to fruition: the transition of Grande Prairie Regional College to University status.

The opposition NDP leader and former Premier of Alberta virtually spoke to members of the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce Tuesday afternoon, where she re-committed her promise to transition the college to full degree-granting status if her NDP government was once again given control of the legislature.

“We will invest in the transition to a Grande Prairie University that will help more students from northern Alberta reach their potential of becoming highly-educated, highly-qualified professionals who are ready to meet the needs of tomorrow’s Alberta,” she told those in attendance.

The plan to transition GPRC to a university was halted by the United Conservative government, with Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides wanting to look closer at all alternatives brought forward as part of the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs plan. This included possibly transitioning the college to a polytechnic model, like NAIT or SAIT.

FULL STORY: Closer look needed into GPRC transition to university status: Advanced Ed. Minister

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A key reason for that, Nicolaides added, was because he was concerned about what that might mean for the college’s trades programs should they fully shift to a university.

“Should an institution like Grande Prairie (Regional College) become a university, that would mean that the government would need to change (the schools) mandate. It could mean their programs could subsequently change,” said Nicolaides to EverythingGP back in January.

“For example, I think about trades programming that is essential to the development of the regional economy. A university does not deliver apprenticeship and trades education.”

Notley, a GPRC alumna herself, says she “absolutely, completely” rejects such an assertion that it is an “either-or” situation.

“Grande Prairie can have a university, and it can also maintain and grow its trade programs,” said Notley. “And they can be done through the site at, what is currently, Grande Prairie Regional College.

“There is no need to suggest that by going to a university model, they would lose the trades.”

Notley adds she understands the value and importance of trades programs to GPRC. But she also pointed to the recently presented Regional Labour Market Needs Assessment, commissioned by the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, which showed a growing demand for skilled labour in the area.

That same report showed the top qualifications in demand for the region included licensed practical nurses, engineers, and certified financial planners.

“Quite frankly, we know there is going to be increased labour shortages. So, investing in a robust post-secondary system is a critically important answer to that challenge.”

Having grown up in the Fairview area, Notley says she also knows of the attraction and retention issues northwestern Alberta faces.

“I mean, I grew up in the area, and me and all my friends moved down to Edmonton for our third year (of university),” said Notley. “None of the ones I can think of ever came back.”

Therefore, she says having a university closer to home would be beneficial for the Peace Region.

“We see universities in rural communities, rural parts of B.C. Yet we can’t seem to get anything north of Edmonton here in Alberta.,” said Notley.

“It’s clear that the best day to create a university in Grande Prairie was yesterday. We can’t waste any more time and we won’t accept any more excuses,” Notley added.

Speaking recently to EverythingGP, interim President and CEO at GPRC Dr. Glenn Feltham said the community does not necessarily need to focus on what the name of the school is, but more so the education it is providing.

“I have always been a huge believer in, wherever possible, being able to align a post-secondary institution back to the core economy of the region,” said Dr. Feltham.

“I think the notion of really being focused back on the broader needs of our community… and making sure that our programming truly is reflecting what learners need now and into the future.”

READ MORE: Dr. Feltham eager to bring polytechnic leadership past to help further GPRC’s future