Education Minister David Eggen says a chunk of the $16.4 million announced for dual credit post-secondary and high school programs will be coming to Olds College (OC) and Chinook's Edge School Division (CESD).
He made that statement during a tour of Olds College and a brief visit to the Olds High School commons on Friday, July 28. Eggen was guided in the tour by new OC president Stuart Cullum who took over the post on July 1 from Tom Thompson, who retired after 16 years at the helm.
An official in Eggen's office said it's too early to say precisely how much of that money will go to OC and Chinook's Edge, but she said that money is expected to begin flowing this fall.
Eggen first announced that money in May.
Under the dual credit program, students in grades 10 to 12 can try out possible career paths ñ including skilled trades -- while they're still in high school. That way, they can get credit toward a high school diploma as well as toward a post-secondary apprenticeship program.
Eggen also said he sees a great opportunity to bring foreign students into places like Olds College, providing another revenue stream for the college during the summer when most other students are away.
He said it also provides opportunities for those students to improve their English and learn about another country. They may be impressed enough to come back again ñ perhaps even eventually live here.
"We know you have residential space here in the summer that perhaps we can utilize more ñ setting up more language programs and so forth for people who want to acquire English as a second language," he said.
"I mean, the sky's the limit, right? I mean, new president and our government, we want to make sure we have a close relationship with the community."
Eggen also said he plans to meet with Chinook's Edge School Division officials shortly to discuss a suggestion by CESD superintendent Kurt Sacher that a holistic entity be created to fund and oversee Horizon School in Olds, which deals with developmentally-challenged students.
More details will be published in an upcoming issue of the Olds Albertan.
"I mean, the sky's the limit, right? I mean, new president and our government, we want to make sure we have a close relationship with the community." DAVID EGGEN EDUCATION MINISTER
