Public education session discusses Lethbridge College and your business
By Amanda Zimmer
Another Opportunity for Growth was held by the Claresholm Economic Development Committee and Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 8.
This time the guests were Lethbridge College, who showcased the opportunities available to local businesses for partnership, and collaboration to benefit growth and capacity building of the business.
Sara Riehl welcomed everyone, telling the crowd there are currently 65 certificate, diploma and degree programs offered by the college.
The college puts value in students’ needs and wants to ensure each person is finding the right fit. They will help find your focus based on your skill set, interests and strengths. They have aptitude tests to help with this, or suggested using the one at alis.alberta.ca to start your search.
The college offers studies in health and wellness; justice studies; human services; special design technologies; engineering technologies; environmental sciences; agricultural science; 13 options in the trades; business; and general arts and science.
About 80 per cent of the classes offered are transferable to university for credit.
When choosing your program, get in touch with a recruiter to help guide you in finding information and resources. Admission requirements can be found online; but don’t let them be a stopping point. A recruiter can help you find a path to get you to where you want to be.
Elin McLeod, operations manager of Lethbridge College Extension, explained the program has two branches; for individuals to develop areas of interest, or for businesses to create customized pathways specifically to enhance your team. They use a learner-centred approach with three areas of learning: refresh, develop, and transform.
Refresh courses are usually three to seven hours, where you learn a quick skill set. These are offered in-person, virtual and hybrid forms.
Develop courses teach a new skill in one to three weeks. These can help you move in your job or deepen a personal interest. Samples of courses are professional bookkeeping; communication essentials; or supervisor essentials.
The transformation courses are three to 12 weeks. They help with a job pivot to enhance skills. Some of these courses include: business development sales fundamentals; project management; and leader as a coach.
These courses all fall under the Canada-Alberta job grant qualifications, where businesses can apply for up to $10,000 to help pay the expenses of training.
To learn more about the courses offered please visit: https://lethbridgecollege.ca/departments/lcextension.
Charlie McArthur, part of the Southwest Alberta Graduate retention strategy, shared a recent study that researched students’ desire to reside in Southwest Alberta upon graduation.
The study was created because the student enrolment is 13,000 with approximately 8,000 of that coming from outside their draw region.
Over half the students are from outside the region, of which Nanton is the northern boundary.
The research found with work integrated learning opportunities students are more likely to stay. These are created through practicums, interns and other student interaction with the communities.
Marda Schindeler, Associate Dean, Centre for Business Arts and Sciences. explained that work integrated learning is a partnership between the school, student and workplace. It provides early access to labour; new ideas from a fresh learner; and helps build additional capacity for the business.
There are three parts to work integrated learning. One is service learning, which is essentially a volunteer, with an eight to 16 hour commitment.
Course projects are unpaid assistance for a specific project, for 20 to 30 hours.
Field work, or practicum is 120 to 150 hours of in-depth work at your place of business. It can be paid to help cover expenses of travel, and accommodation.
The school continues to support the student, but allows the business to mentor and the student to build their story. It’s a great opportunity for students to really try the career they are thinking about.
How can college students support your business?
• Volunteer work;
• Business plans;
• Human resources policies and procedures;
• Software and database management;
• Event planning;
• Grant applications;
• Marketing strategies and tactics;
• Market research;
• Project management.
If you have a work integrated learning idea or want to know more, reach out to Kristen Demone, Coordinator, Regional Stewardship and Work Integrated Learning by email to kristen.demone@lethbridgecollege.ca or call 1-403-320-3202, extension 3209.
