News Archives: Polytechnic Programming Additions
Thursday, December 15th, 2022
80 Additional Apprenticeship Seats Now Available!
Northwestern Polytechnic Continues to Build Momentum and Local Capacity.
It has been a busy month for Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) with a major programming announcement in one of the polytechnic’s core focus areas.
With the benefit of a $341,800 funding allocation from the Government of Alberta and some creative thinking, NWP is better aligned to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeship training.
Alberta’s newest polytechnic will add 80 additional apprenticeship seats during the 2022/23 academic year, which will allow NWP Skilled Trades to increase the number of apprenticeship intakes in the region and respond to growing waitlists. The additional apprenticeship seats will be offered in Heavy Equipment Technicians, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright), Electrician and Automotive Service Technician.
“This funding will enhance our ability to respond to and support the increasing demand for apprentices,” says Dean of NWP’s School of Skilled Trades, Caitlin Hartigan. “We are grateful for the various avenues of support that are working together to proactively manage workforce needs to create a growing and sustainable future for Skilled Trades in our region.”
In addition to the new seats, beginning in 2023, NWP will be implementing 2nd Period Instrumentation, ongoing. This new intake offering will save students from travelling out of the region to complete their apprenticeship training for their second year of study.
The new implementation of 2nd period Instrumentation is the result of joint efforts from Lakeland College and Spartan Controls as well as a one-time financial support from the Alberta Government. Building on the success of recent work-integrated-learning and colocation efforts, a new 2nd Period Instrumentation lab will be housed at the Spartan Controls facility in Grande Prairie.
The lab will be equipped with training aides and equipment generously transferred to NWP from Lakeland College. With an eye for expansion, NWP approached the post-secondary in Fall of 2022 to query use of the industrial assets that were no longer being used for apprenticeship delivery.
“The collaboration with NWP represents a shared solution for our institutions and northern Alberta,” says Lakeland College Dean of Trades, Dave King. “We are delighted to be able to work with NWP to make the most of this equipment. It’s a shared win for our trades students, industries and Albertans.”
