Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

Post-Secondary Education

NWP President says money needed for skilled trades expansion plans

Mar 26, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The President and CEO at Northwestern Polytechnic says the school needs money for a planned expansion to its skilled trades program.

Dr. Vanessa Shaene was one of the speakers at the State of the City presentation that took place Tuesday.

Dr. Shaene says this expansion is planned for both the Grande Prairie and Fairview campuses.

“In Grande Prairie in particular, we physically don’t have space to add more of the shop training spaces.”

“We have been working with various industry partners to find alternatives where our students maybe use their shop space to get that hands-on shop training when they’re with us.”

Dr. Shaene says while this work in the shorter term, space will be needed on campus over the long term.

She adds there are several trades where officials are looking at more spaces…

“We are seeing the demand across the board but heavily in electrician, millwright or industrial mechanic, instrumentation and control technician, welder, heavy equipment mechanic and automotive service technician.”

“Those are ones we currently offer. We’re looking to expand. New ones include things like HVAC, air conditioning, auto body.”

Dr. Shaene says NWP is also looking at including several non-credentialed construction trades in a construction technology program.

She adds officials are looking at “a three to four year build out.”

“That’s where those industry partners come in in the short term, so while those are being built, we can still offer those increased offerings elsewhere.”

“Realistically, by the time design, construction and move-in (is done) is about three to four years.”

Dr. Shaene says there is $1 million in the new provincial budget for planning.