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(Image Credit: Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools, Grande Prairie Public School Division, and Peace Wapiti Public School Division)
By Nathaniel Leigh
Education

New collegiate program announced for Grande Prairie area

May 29, 2026 | 12:06 PM

A new collegiate program coming to Grande Prairie will offer hands-on, career-focused programming to local students.

The Grande Prairie Regional Career Collegiate is a collaborative effort between Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools, the Grande Prairie Public School Division, and Peace Wapiti Public School Division, with start-up cost funding approved by Alberta Education.

Participants will be accessing specialized training through classroom learning and hands-on experiences at NWP campuses while staying enrolled in their home schools.

The program builds upon Northwestern Polytechnic’s Intro to the Trades Dual Credit Course, with plans to add additional programming in 2027.

“We look forward to welcoming first-period Heavy Equipment Technicians to our new, purpose-built shop space within NWP’s Skilled Trades Training Centre later this year,” says Northwestern Polytechnic Vice-President Academic, Jodi Shultz. “Students will benefit from hands-on exposure to the latest tools and technologies of the trades.”

MLA for Grande Prairie, Nolan Dyck, says skilled trades are an important backbone of Grande Prairie and that it is critical students are prepared to step into in-demand careers.

“This project is a great example of what we can achieve when school boards work together, and I’m proud to have supported it,” Dyck says.

Interested students can request an application form from their high school to join the program next fall; spots are limited.

by Nathaniel Leigh