After a hiatus of four years, Lakeland College is set to revive its steamfitter-pipefitter apprenticeship program, catering to the growing demand for skilled workers in the region. With the stamp of approval from the Government of Alberta, the program is scheduled to kick off this fall.  

Dave King, the dean of Lakeland's School of Trades and Technology, expressed enthusiasm about the relaunch, highlighting the longstanding necessity for steamfitters and pipefitters in the area.  

“We suspended the program in May 202 due to certain circumstances, but it was always meant to be a temporary measure,” King explained. “Now, with the conducive economic conditions, we’re thrilled to resume the program, providing aspiring steamfitter-pipefitters with the essential classrooms learning and hands-on training.”  

Steamfitter-pipefitters play a critical role in planning, fabricating, and maintaining piping systems utilized in various industrial processes such as heating, cooling, and transportation of fluids. The reinstated program at Lakeland entails a four-year term, encompassing a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training along with eight weeks of classroom instruction each year.  

The reintroduction of the steamfitter-pipefitter apprenticeship program brings Lakeland’s total count of apprenticeship training offerings to seven. These programs, which include automotive service technician, carpenter, electrician, heavy equipment technician, parts technician (online), welder, and now steamfitter-pipefitter, are conducted at Lakeland’s Trades Centre situated on the Vermillion campus.  

Prospective students interested in the steamfitter-pipefitter apprenticeship can find more details at Lakeland Colleges trade and apprenticeship website. Registration for classroom instruction for the 2024-25 academic year is set to commence on May 23, marking the beginning of a new chapter for aspiring tradespeople in the region.  

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In a development aimed at fostering economic growth and leveraging the region’s strong aviation culture, the city of Cold Lake has embarked on a partnership with Portage College to establish an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) school. 

“This project came about through our economic development process and was developed as a way to strengthen and diversify our local economy while also building on the strong partnership we have with Portage College and the aviation culture that exists here,” Mayor Craig Copeland said in a release.  

The partnership between the city of Cold Lake and Portage College has been in progress for nearly three years. During this time, the city completed a feasibility study for the school, created a building design, and advanced the project to a “shovel-ready” stage.  

To facilitate the establishment of the AME school, Cold Lake city council has approved a grant of $88,000 to Portage College to purchase an AME Structures (AME-S) curriculum. Additionally, the city has earmarked land at the Cold Lake Regional Airport to construct the AME school, with detailed plans already in place for the facility's design.  

“We are deeply committed to meeting the training needs of our communities and ASE-S training has long been part of the vision of the city of Cold Lake,” said Dr. Donna Feledichuk, Vice President of Academic and Reasearch at Portage College. 

The design to establish an AME school in Cold Lake is further supported by the region’s growing aerospace and defense sector, marked by the continued sustainment of the F-18, the anticipated arrival of the F-35, and future training jet initiatives for the Royal Canadian Air Force. With its rich aviation history, including the presence of the Art Smith Aviation Academy and the Cold Lake Air Cadet Camp, the city is well-positioned to become a hub for aviation-related education and training.  

The city of Cold Lake remains committed to collaborating with Portage College and other stakeholders to secure a suitable facility for the AME school, tailor the curriculum to local needs, and ensure the program’s successful launch.  

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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.  

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Someone wanting to become a nurse will no longer have to leave Lloydminster and the area to complete their studies with a new deal for 16 seats between Lakeland College and the University of Saskatchewan.

The agreement was announced at the Lloydminster campus on Tuesday with officials and students present to celebrate the prospect of graduation of the first group in the spring of 2025.

Cassandra Surina is in her third year in the College’s nursing program. The Vermilion resident says the program is really wonderful.

“It gives people here the opportunity to complete their Bachelor of Science in nursing and become a registered nurse without having to travel to the big cities to get the schooling. So, it provides a lot more opportunities for everybody.”

Another facet under the Saskatchewan government is the student loan forgiveness program which Surina can also take advantage of.

Lakeland College’s president Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart says the idea has been on the cards for about two decades. She credits the input of Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young.

“I think probably a catalyst was our Colleen. Colleen could see the logic and she also knew information that we didn’t know about where there were other seats in the province. And so, she could go to bat for Lloydminster.”

Dean of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Solina Richter says it means a lot for the university to be able to expand its live where you learn values for the benefit of more students in rural areas.

“We can expand to the rural and remote areas and give students more access to quality education – that they will stay in the communities where they do their education,” says Richter.

At a cost of some $20,000 a year to become a nurse, students like Surina have expressed their delight at not having to move away from their families to pursue their dreams.

Presently there are some 20 clinical spaces at the Lloydminster Hospital and officials see the next steps as growing placements for the nurses to get on-the-job training at both Wainwright and Vermilion hospitals.

Files from GL

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To address the increasing need for skilled nursing professionals, Portage College is delighted to introduce the expansion of the Internationally Educated Nurse Bridging Program. 

This program offers a range of Registered Nurse (RN) Preparation Courses, catering to domestic and internationally trained nurses. These courses have been made possible through a generous grant from the Alberta Ministry of Education and were developed in collaboration with Northwestern Polytechnic, Bow Valley, and Keyano College.

These courses are thoughtfully designed to provide nurses with the expertise and abilities required to tackle the national RN exam, NCLEX, confidently. Additionally, they are structured to enable nurses to thrive in the healthcare sector, no matter their educational background.

“I am excited to see the launch of this unique program at Portage College, for it opens a door not only to internationally educated nurses who want to resume their healthcare professionalism in Alberta and Canada but also to anyone trained as a domestic nurse who wants to work as a Registered Nurse. This unique program also helps address the shortage of healthcare professionals in our local communities in Northern Alberta,” says Dr. Shun Li, Dean of Health and Wellness at Portage College.

Nurses can choose from a diverse range of courses, including the foundational "Preparing for the NCLEX: A Guide for Internationally Educated Nurses" and specialized subjects like Pharmacology, Maternity Care, Indigenous Health, Jurisprudence, and more. Portage College's dedication to empowering nurses for superior patient care is exemplified through these RN preparation courses, serving both domestic and international candidates and reaffirming their commitment to the healthcare community.

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$2.1 million from the provincial government will help shape the implementation of the Steamfitter-pipefitter program at Portage College. 

This financial boost, according to the Alberta Government, will result in an expansion of available seats for the Paramedicine program, classroom enhancements, and the exciting reintroduction of the Steamfitter-Pipefitter program, set to commence during the 2024-25 academic year. 

Minister of Advance Education Rajan Sawney, who toured the Portage College campus recently, says investing in local communities encourages students to stay close to home to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies they need for the most in-demand jobs. 

“It also benefits the local economy, as students graduate and use their talents to continue building strong and prosperous communities.” 

$900,000 is allocated for classroom renovations at various Portage College locations throughout the Lakeland region. Aimed at improving the overall educational experience for students. 

Furthermore, an additional $875,000 is earmarked to increase the capacity of the paramedicine program. Creating 96 extra seats, while $319,846 is designated to reinforce support for apprenticeship programs. 

According to a statement released by Alberta Advanced Education, the Steamfitter-pipefitter program has gained immense popularity. The program is one of the fastest-growing apprenticeship programs in northeastern Alberta. 

“Together, we will meet the demand for much-needed paramedics and trades professionals in our region,” said Nancy Broadbent, president and CEO of Portage College in a news release.  

“Modernizing our classrooms will help ensure our students have an excellent learning experience at Portage College. We're thankful for the Government of Alberta, Minister Sawhney, and Advanced Education for their support.” 

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Gather your cowboy hats and cowbells because, on Friday, the Lakeland College Rustlers women’s hockey team will be hosting the Olds College Broncos for back-to-back games at the Russ Robertson Arena in Lloydminster.  

 As they head into their second weekend at home, the women’s hockey program boasts an impressive record of three wins and only one defeat in the early games of the regular season, with two of those wins coming against Red Deer.  

 To add to the excitement, the Lakeland College Apex Automation Rustlers have a special treat in store for those donning Western attire. They’re offering some Rustlers swag to fans who come dressed in cowboy and cowgirl fashion, and they’ll be playing a lively country music playlist to energize the crowd and cheer on their team. 

 On Saturday, October 21, the hockey program will also be making a positive impact on mental health awareness. The women's hockey players are encouraging their supporters to bring noise makers and join them in spreading awareness to help end the stigma surrounding mental health illness and its treatment.  

The Olds Broncos will once again face off against the Rustlers on Saturday, with a puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. on both days.  

 Files from G. Lampow – Vista Radio.  

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