The Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) and its partners gathered on Tuesday, April 2, to celebrate the completion of the newly renovated Metals Building at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.
The renovation modernizes the facility to accommodate up to 21 dual-credit CACI students per class, equipping them with industry-ready skills and preparing them for careers in Alberta’s skilled trades workforce.
In 2023, CACI announced it had been approved as one of the first collegiate programs in Alberta.
Alberta Education awarded CACI $4.4 million in funding to renovate the Olds College Metals Building and $2.6 million for similar renovations at Red Deer Polytechnic.
The CACI project at Olds College renovated one of the older welding shop spaces and added a fourth welding shop space to update and expand the number of welding booths available to CACI learners.
Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides joined senior leaders from CACI partner organizations, elected board members, staff and Alberta Education representatives for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“The demand for skilled tradespeople is on the rise, and Alberta’s economic future depends on ensuring the workforce is ready to meet that need,” said Jackie Taylor, executive director, CACI & the Community Learning Campus. “Through partnerships like CACI, high school students gain valuable hands-on experience and a head start in their careers, positioning them for success in post-secondary education and the job market.”
CACI is the successful collaboration of four partnering school divisions (Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division, Wolf Creek Public Schools and Chinook’s Edge School Division), two post-secondary institutions (Olds College and Red Deer Polytechnic) and CAREERS, a non-profit organization that collaborates with schools to connect youth with employers, providing valuable paid internship opportunities and the start to important apprenticeship careers.
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