Bow Valley College (BVC) received $1.2 million through the 2014 Alberta budget that will create 100 new learning spaces.
Learning spaces are essentially expansions to current programs to support enrollment growth at campuses across the province. The funding will be used to support the college’s Aboriginal Addictions Services Counseling Certificate program, as well as the Early Learning and Childcare Certificate and Diploma expansion. In Airdrie, the funding will assist with the growth in programs such as Medical Office Assistant, Hospital Unit Clerk, Health Care Aid, and the Early Learning program. Fifty-six of the 100 new learning spaces will be allocated to regional locations such as Airdrie, Banff, Canmore and Cochrane.
“Airdrie is one of our largest and most vital sites,” said BVC President Sharon Carry. “This will allow us to meet the growing demand there and there will be more teaching positions and student expansion.”
BVC will be expanding by about 171 learning spaces over the next two years.
“This funding will benefit our learners by improving access to career programming in rural communities and by creating new spaces in high-demand career areas,” said Carry, who made note of BVC Airdrie’s importance. “It’s one of the fastest growing communities in the province and we really want to provide the business community in Airdrie with highly skilled and trained people.”
BVC has more than 14,000 full and part-time students and is a provincial leader in business and health career training, adult upgrading and English Language learning. The Airdrie campus is home to 501 total students, 262 full-time and 239 part-time.
“We know that post-secondary education plays a vital role in maintaining our prosperity and driving our economy forward,” said Premier and Minister of Innovation Dave Hancock. “That’s why we want to ensure students can access the learning opportunities they want to be successful and we have enough graduates to meet the demands of our growing economy.”
