Photo: Abby Zieverink

By Shane Clausing

NORTHWESTERN POLYTECHNIC

GPRC makes transition to Northwestern Polytechnic

Mar 9, 2022 | 12:29 PM

This story has been updated from its original version

What used to be known as Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) is now officially known as Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP).

The announcement made on March 9, 2022, transitions the Grande Prairie and Fairview campuses into polytechnic institutions.

Polytechnics, like the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), offer a wide range of programming with an increased focus on applied learning opportunities.

This means Northwestern Polytechnic will continue to offer programs previously held by GPRC, but also expand programs and allow degrees to be granted 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.

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While GPRC will be able to offer degrees, this announcement is a pivot from the NWP’s decision in 2018 to allow GPRC to transition to a university.

That transition was paused by Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides and his department in 2020, as they awaited the final recommendations from the Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs panel. That panel’s findings, unveiled in April, looked to better align labour market needs with available education programs in the region.

Back in December 2021 during a sitdown with EverythingGP, school President and CEO Justin Kohlman said this transition will help meet the needs of the community as it continues to grow.

“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 said.

During Wednesday’s announcement, NWP says it has the goal of becoming Canada’s most entrepreneurial polytechnic by 2034.

New programs/opportunities to be offered in Fall 2022:

Starting in the fall, NWP will offer the first year of a university transfer Bachelor of Engineering program to students.

The degree has also been bolstered Grande Prairie’s ARC Resources Ltd. which generously provided a $1 million donation towards the development of this program.

NWP says it will also begin exploring more opportunities for business and industry collaboration to help prepare today’s students for the jobs of tomorrow. This will be done in partnership with Spartan Controls.

There are also more programs being offered for those interested in getting into the healthcare field.

Starting in September 2022, NWP is expanding its program operations in Fairview. Students will now be able to complete an eight-month Health Care Aide (HCA) certificate.

“Today we celebrate the rich foundation on which we are building, the efforts of many to get us to this point, and the tremendous potential ahead,” said Kohlman.

“We are so grateful to have this opportunity and are looking forward to maximizing the entrepreneurial skills and talents in this region to bring out the best in our students, industries and communities.”

Full details on everything NWP will offer can be found here.