(Image Credit: Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools/Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

career learning

Central Alberta Collegiate Institute continues trades experience opportunities for local youth

Jan 21, 2026 | 10:40 AM

The Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) says they’ve had a busy start to 2026.

They reported that approximately 180 students from Grades 8, 9, and 10 participated in trades experience classes at Red Deer Polytechnic.

These were offered in one-day and three-day camp-style classes, designed to help students learn about various career paths.

The students experienced the trades firsthand, built skills, and are now in a better position to move into formal training and work-integrated learning opportunities.

“These camps are about more than trying something new,” said Tracey Millar, CACI Program Coordinator. “They give students an early opportunity to experience what skilled trades learning looks like, to work with their hands, and to begin connecting their interests and strengths to future education and career pathways in an incredible learning environment here at RDP.”

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The one-day experiences introduced junior high students to skilled trades at RDP where they spent that day learning through hands-on activities using hand and power tools with guidance from instructors.

Meantime, the three-day camps brought Grade 9 and 10 students in to focus on an in-depth project in a particular trade grouping. There were three different versions of this camp offered, which allowed school divisions to tailor programming to their students.

Millar added that next term will bring even more programming, including additional one-day and three-day camps, a five-credit course, and pre-employment training opportunities at both Red Deer Polytechnic and Olds College in four different trade areas.

(Image Credit: Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools/Supplied)

CACI’s student camps reflect the ongoing commitment of its partners to remove barriers, expand access to career exploration, and create meaningful learning opportunities that help students discover their interests, abilities, and future possibilities.

The CACI is a regional partnership that provides students with career-connected learning experiences in the skilled trades. Those involved in the partnerships include Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Chinook’s Edge School Division, Wolf Creek Public Schools, Red Deer Polytechnic, Olds College, and CAREERS.

CACI will celebrate the grand opening of its newly renovated learning spaces at Red Deer Polytechnic on January 26.