(Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

welding, vet tech and more

Central Alberta Collegiate Institute showcases progress at Olds College

Jun 23, 2024 | 9:00 AM

A visit by the education minister offered a chance, organizers say, to showcase what amazing things are going on with the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) program.

Minister Demetrios Nicolaides visited Olds College of Agriculture and Technology this week, where a number of career-based learning opportunities are helping young people find their footing.

“We were excited to celebrate the accomplishments of CACI, and to encourage the continued growth of career pathways learning for students. This work is exciting because it makes a measurable difference for students,” said Jackie Taylor, CACI executive director.

“Success looks like students who transition to post-secondary training with confidence, and students who know what they want, and with that, they become more engaged in their academic learning. Critical to that success is the support students have at the high school level to help them be successful in the post-secondary environment.”

Participants in the visit on Thursday toured facilities to observe students in trades programs such as those for welding, veterinary technician, and heavy equipment mechanics.

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A panel of five students also spoke about their experience.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides. (Supplied)

“I am firmly committed and confident that through collaboration, like the ones we see here in central Alberta, and by sharing knowledge and ideas, we can continue to build opportunities for students to flourish in school and in life,” said Minister Nicolaides.

Nicolaides noted the Education Task Force established a few years ago, and a dual credit review group that will meet over the summer.

That group will look at the program’s components and how things like accessibility and transferability can be enhanced.

According to data shared at the event:

● Several Alberta school divisions examined their data and found that with students who participated in dual credit learning, 98 per cent graduated from high school (compared to an 83-87 per cent overall completion rate provincially)

● Transitions to post-secondary are higher for students who participate in dual credit as well. Students who enrolled in dual credit courses during high school saw a:

○ 8 per cent transition rate to post secondary diploma programs (compared to 4 per cent of students not in dual credit)
○ 20 per cent transition rate to certificate learning in post secondary (compared to 2 per cent of students not in dual credit)
○ 28 per cent transition rate to post-secondary degree programs (compared to 16 per cent not in dual credit)
○ 71 per cent transition rate to post-secondary trades programming (compared to 6 per cent not in dual credit)

CACA partners with Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division, Wolf Creek Public Schools, Chinook’s Edge School Division, Red Deer Polytechnic, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, and CAREERS.

It was approved for provincial funding in spring 2023.

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