Photo by Shaun Penner.

By Abby Zieverink

Northwestern Polytechnic

GPRC changing name to Northwestern Polytechnic

Dec 8, 2021 | 3:55 PM

Grande Prairie Regional College has chosen its new name as it steps forward in its transition into a polytechnic institution.

As of March 2022, the school will be known as Northwestern Polytechnic.

In a release, GPRC administration says the name was chosen to reflect the history and potential in the distinct communities surrounding the institution’s two signature campuses in Fairview and Grande Prairie.

President and CEO of GPRC Justin Kohlman says the process to pick a name for the institution went over several months, which included many surveys and discussions with the community on suggested names.

“And based upon all that we took a look at what the common themes were and Northwestern Polytechnic continually came up as one that was highly recommended,” he explained.

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“But also we wanted something that spoke not just to only one centre but our entire region. Because we are a multi-campus institution and I think it’s important to show we are clear for our entire region so Northwestern Polytechnic was the one that rose to the top.”

Northwestern Polytechnic will continue to offer and expand programs in the School of Skilled Trades, along with other quality higher learning options through the Schools of Business, Health and Education, and Applied Science and Technology.

Kohlman tells EverythingGP the key thing polytechnic status will bring to the post-secondary institution is an alignment to the community needs and the employer’s needs in the region.

“That’s going to be a really big part of our focus now going forward is how can we really understand the needs of the industry and connect with them and ensure the students coming in, are going to go out into industry and be able to contribute back,”

He suggests polytechnic status allows Northwestern Polytechnic to align with opportunities in the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs Plan, which shows a strong focus on matching education and skill development with the needs of the local community.

“We want the region to grow and as a polytechnic, we can do that. We have a lot more flexibility, we have the ability to offer degrees, but I also think it allows us to align to the Alberta 2030 plan which is really big on working grid learning and being connected to the community,” he added.

“This change reflects the work the institution has been doing to help Albertans across the northwest get skills and training closer to home and put that knowledge to use locally in their own communities,” said Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides.

Kohlman says the hard work begins now as the institution will be digging deeper into the needs of the community for the polytechnic’s strategic plan and vision, along with looking into the programs to be offered.

The institution’s new visual identity is set to be revealed in March 2022, which is also when the changeover from the Grande Prairie Regional College to Northwestern Polytechnic will take place

“Hopefully by spring 2022, we will have a formal announcement and we will announce our new look, our new colors, our new courses and people will not only hear we are a polytechnic but see what it means to be a polytech,” added Kohlman.

A full event to celebrate the new status will be held in March.

The announcement for GPRC to turn into a polytechnic was made in early 2021.