Expanding Skilled Trades
Tools for Success
Northwestern Polytechnic is focused on delivering a timely skilled trades solution for students, communities, and industries.
Skills Deficit
Prospective learners are unaware and have limited exposure to all skilled trades opportunities in Northern Alberta. With a growing workforce gap across North America, and a challenging labour market outlook within Northern Alberta’s signature industries, Northwestern Polytechnic is taking action.
Together with our local partners and industry champions, we have collaboratively identified emerging needs and formulated a strategic approach that will help address the persistent talent shortages that continue to impede hiring efforts.
Building Prosperity
Northwestern Polytechnic is seeking a $157M investment from the Government of Alberta to support high-priority infrastructure development across our Fairview and Grande Prairie campuses.
This tactical financial outlay will supercharge NWP’s capacity to train the workforce of the future, and deliver valuable returns within Alberta for years to come.
Northwestern Polytechnic’s new Skilled Trades Centres will contribute to enhanced:
- Skilled trades awareness and exploration
- Regional competitiveness
- Economic growth and long-term sustainability
- Employability and labour productivity
- Industry innovation and advancement
Productive Environments
Northwestern Polytechnic recognizes the importance of carving out new spaces for hands-on training and world-class skill development. Our goal is to design and deliver two new net zero buildings, totalling over 100,000 square feet, by 2028.
Fairview Trades Centre
The addition of over 60,000 sq ft of lab and workshop space will facilitate expanded programming while unlocking operational efficiencies and innovative training advantages for aspiring industry professionals. With the benefits of a new development and the existing strengths of a vibrant Fairview campus, Northwestern Polytechnic will realize significant savings in deferred and in-ground service maintenance costs, while enhancing student-focused learning and common areas.
Development Highlights:
- Purpose-built 36-booth Welding lab will boost training capacity for 180 apprenticeship students each year.
- Versatile Autobody Mechanic space servicing up to 60 apprenticeship students each year as they develop the necessary skills for repairing and restoring vehicles.
- Fully interconnected three-bay Motorcycle workshop that will accommodate up to 88 students who want to rev up their repair and maintenance skills.
- New Agricultural Technician lab that will support upwards of 300 additional apprenticeship or 75 diploma students annually. In time this flexible space will also be home to a new Heavy Equipment Operator program expansion.
- Leading-edge Animal Health training area will serve 70 diploma students annually. This facility will feature state-of-the-art microbiology, dental surgery, and operating labs, as well as a large animal and diagnostic training spaces.
Grande Prairie Trades Centre
The new 40,000 sq ft facility will support enhanced training across disciplines, as well as evolving industry-specific needs within Continuing Education. This development will build on current Electrician, Millwright, and Instrumentation program enhancements, while optimizing our Grande Prairie campus footprint and increasing access for more than 400 additional students annually.
Development Highlights:
- Dedicated Refrigeration training space that expands capacity for up to 80 additional pre-employment, and refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic apprenticeship students. With the benefit of a contemporary and customized training environment, students will master residential, commercial, and industrial cooling and heating systems.
- Highly specialized Construction hub that will empower advanced skill development. Be it for residential dwellings or developing community infrastructure, students will hone their craftsmanship skills in a safe, supportive, and hands-on workshop. This buzzing training facility will provide added space for up to 212 apprenticeship, diploma, and micro-credential students.
- Purpose-built 16-booth Welding lab will come complete with metal grinding areas, and plasma-cutting workbenches for table-top training. Delivering the latest equipment and technology advances in a safe, well-ventilated environment, this space will accommodate pre-employment students and up to 80 apprenticeship learners each year.
Hands-on Opportunity
Working with our local industries, surrounding communities, and government partners, we are committed to attracting, training, and retaining the next generation of skilled trades professionals in Northern Alberta. Please reach out to President@nwpolytech.ca for more information about this essential investment in our collective future.