Red Deer College, in collaboration with Alberta Education, Advanced Education and Technology and the University of Alberta, is piloting a new program to enhance Career and Technology Studies (CTS) teacher’s skills and knowledge in the area of carpentry across the province.
Teacher Bridging to Advanced CTS Programming – Carpentry Pilot will provide an opportunity for certified teachers to complete a one-year preparation program offered at RDC. Graduates of the pilot will have received both first and second period apprenticeship technical training which will aid in teaching the advanced levels of CTS courses in secondary schools.
“Offering this new program is one more way RDC meets its mandate in a seamless and responsive way to provide learning opportunities that meet the needs of Albertans,” says Joel Ward, President and CEO of RDC. “The pilot program is geared to benefit students and, ultimately, support industry.”
The additional support provided to approved school authorities through this pilot program will help schools offer more advanced dual-credit CTS courses in carpentry.
This means that high school students will receive CTS credit plus the ability to earn credit toward first period apprenticeship training. “By the time these students come to RDC, they’ll be ahead of the game,” says Ward.
“Government is pleased to partner with Red Deer College to provide enhanced opportunities for teachers and students in trades and technology,” said Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Education. “Our ability to build a skilled and educated workforce requires the collaborative efforts of the education and post-secondary systems and industry.”
In the first year of the program, $960,000 is available from government to school authorities to sponsor eight to twelve teachers as program participants.
The program also complements a successful three-year old CTS bridging program for journey people, health care and information technology professionals.
The first cohort of the program begins in July. School authorities interested in participating can visit www.education.alberta.ca/admin/workforce.aspx for more information and to access application packages.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.
-Weber
