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By rdnewsNOW staff

Post-Secondary Education

Red Deer College to become polytechnic institution

May 4, 2021 | 11:00 AM

Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says Red Deer College will become a polytechnic institution.

Nicolaides made the announcement during a virtual event Tuesday morning.

The province says RDC becoming a polytechnic enables it to better align programming with local student, business and industry needs – including high-quality degrees, apprenticeship education and diploma programs.

Provincial government officials say they worked in partnership with Red Deer College and student leaders to determine the most flexible and best-fit model for central Alberta, with a goal of ensuring students have access to the education they need and employers in the region have access to the talent they need.

“Ensuring all Albertans have access to opportunities to build their skills for in-demand local jobs empowers people to achieve success close to home, helps strengthen and grow communities, as well as attracting investment to the province,” Nicolaides said.

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“We are very supportive of the polytechnic designation because this model will allow us to build on our strengths to become an ever more innovative institution that will best serve our students, partners, industry and community members. Becoming a polytechnic achieves all of the goals we have had for many years, and it allows us to consider exciting new possibilities for the future,” said RDC Board Chair Guy Pelletier.

“We need to be a competitive contender in keeping and attracting new population to our city,” said Mayor Tara Veer, “and one of the most promising means of doing so is through the development of a skilled labour force, offering a broader spectrum of career options locally, and attracting a population who will stay and strengthen our local economy through their future contributions in various sectors.”

Last week, the provincial government shared its future vision, “Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs,” officials say provides a framework for the province’s post-secondary sector moving forward.

The former NDP government gave the green light in March 2018 for RDC to pursue university status, along with Grande Prairie Regional College. Those transitions were put on hold by the UCP government pending a review of post-secondary education in Alberta.

Polytechnic status in Alberta enables institutions to offer apprenticeship education along with degree, diploma and certificate programs.

READ MORE: Closer look needed into GPRC transition to university status: Advanced Ed. Minister

Red Deer College is currently approved to offer three degree programs, including the recently approved bachelor of science in biological sciences degree. The institution has also put forward four degree program proposals to Advanced Education for program approval review. These include: bachelor of arts (psychology), bachelor of science (psychology), bachelor of business administration and bachelor of education.

An official new name for the institution has not yet been chosen but is expected to be announced in the coming months.