OLDS - The $25-million expansion and renovation of the W.J. Elliott Building apprenticeship skills training facility at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology will benefit the agriculture, oil and gas, and construction industries across the province, say officials.
More than 100 dignitaries, college officials and instructors, board members, students, company representatives and others attended the funding announcement at the college Friday morning.
Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney was on hand for the funding announcement, which is part of $63 million being provided to the college over three years starting in 2024.
“This expansion will not only create modern infrastructure on campus but will elevate the student experience for those attending apprenticeship programming,” said Sawhney.
“Projects like this are so important to our province. Not only will this increase opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in a skilled trade, but it will also help us fill positions in high-demand sectors, opening doors for graduates.”
The three-year expansion project will increase apprenticeship learning opportunities for students through enhanced classroom space and machinery use spaces.
The expansion and renovation project will add more than 440 new training program seats, as well as 100 dual-credit trades program seats for Grade 10, 11 and 12 students, including agriculture equipment technician, heavy equipment technician, welder and landscape horticulturist.
Dennis Beaudoin is the dean of Trades and Skills at the college.
“The funding announcement today will help us to take a significant step forward in how we train the next generation of skilled trades professionals,” said Beaudoin.
“Over the next three years we will be modernizing and expanding the W.J. Elliott Building to support our core trades program. We are building for the future with more modern and expanded space to allow room for new technology, better classrooms and an enhanced experience for our student and partners.”
The expansion will include over-head cranes, engine diagnostic equipment, and infrastructure designed to support future technologies, he said.
Olds College board of governors chairman Al Kemmere said the expansion and renovation is good news for industry and education.
“To effectively prepare our students for thriving careers in a rapidly evolving workforce and to meet increasing demand, the modernization of our W.J. Elliott Building is not just important, it is essential,” said Kemmere.
“This project will allow us to continue delivering on our promise of practically training, which not only equips students for successful futures, but also fortifies our local economy by ensuring businesses and industries have access to skilled workforce they need to flourish.
“This building modernization and expansion represents a significant step forward.”
Debbie Thompson, Olds College president and chief executive officer, said, “The modernization of the W.J. Elliott Building is, at its heart, an investment in our students. By investing in their future and in working in close partnership with industry, we are actively shaping the future of skilled trades in Alberta.
“With expanded classrooms, advanced labs and state-of-the-art equipment, Olds College will continue to meet the growing demand for skilled trades training elevating the student experience and deepening industry collaboration.”
Nathan Cooper, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, commended board members, college staff, industry representatives, and government officials for making the expansion and modernization possible.
Anna Dau is president of the Olds College Students' Association.
“Today’s announcement is more than just an investment for Olds College,” said Dau. “It is an investment students, in their education, their skills and their futures. The modernization of the W.J. Elliott Building means trade students will have access cutting-edge tools, more space to learn, and facilities that reflect the real-world environments they will be stepping into after graduation.
“We talk a lot about preparing students for the future and this is what that looks like.”
Angela Aalbers, Mountain View County reeve, said the expansion and modernization is great news.
“For the county it is fantastic,” said Aalbers. “Anything that we can do to build up the trades industry and allow the opportunity for more our children to stay in the community and get good paying jobs and support both agriculture and the construction industry in any way we can is a win-win for everyone.”
Alberta has 59 designated trades, including 47 which have associated apprenticeship education programs regulated under the Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Education Act.
