At the recent city of Cold Lake council meeting, Portage College’s proposal for two new diploma programs, kinesiology and computer science, received unanimous backing from the council members. The programs are part of the college’s plan to expand its educational offerings.
Portage College approached the council seeking a letter of support as it awaits approval from Advanced Education to launch these programs. Andrew Serba, the Strategic Initiatives Manager with the City of Cold Lake, provided insights into the potential impact of these initiatives.
“Portage College is requesting a letter of support for a kinesiology diploma program that hopes to begin at the college starting next year,” Serba informed the council. “The college has seen a significant expansion in its offerings in recent years in hopes of offering kinesiology as graduates can find pathways in many healthcare-related fields.”
Regarding the computer science diploma program, Serba noted, “Portage College is seeking to begin a diploma program in Computer Science. About 60 percent of the students interested in pursuing a computer science diploma at Portage College are around the city of Cold Lake.”
He further emphasized the importance of these programs in addressing labor gaps and catering to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare and technology sectors.
The decision to support these programs comes from the success of previous computer science offerings at Portage College. The college had previously offered a Computer Science Certificate program, which garnered significant interest form students.
Encouraged by this response, Portage College now aims to elevate the program to a diploma level.
Council members recognized the potential benefits these programs could bring to the community and unanimously approved the letter of support for both the kinesiology and computer science programs. This endorsement marks a significant step forward for Portage College as it continues to expand its educational footprint and provide valuable opportunities for students in the region.