Alberta’s government is supporting apprenticeship training with an investment of $25 million for the expansion of the W.J. Elliott building at Olds College.
To help address the increased demand for apprentices and skilled journeypersons, Alberta’s government is investing $25 million through Budget 2025 for the expansion and renovation of the W.J. Elliott building at Olds College.
This is part of a $63 million total investment over three years beginning in 2024, which saw $13 million allocated in the first year.
Upon completion, this project will add more than 440 new seats for trades programming, as well as 100 seats for dual-credit trades programs, including Agricultural Equipment Technician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Welder and Landscape Horticulturist.
"We are proud to support a strong dual-credit program here in Alberta, and we will continue to work with education partners to find new ways to grow this important program for the benefit of Alberta’s students,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, minister of education.
Since 1971, the W.J. Elliott building has served as a home to trades programming at Olds College.
The renovations will include new collaborative student and staff spaces as well as adding lifting equipment, such as overhead cranes and vehicle lifts equipped with highway tractor alignment systems and wheel dynamometers, to improve trades programming.
“With expanded classrooms, advanced labs and state-of-the-art equipment, Olds College will continue to meet the growing demand for skilled trades training while elevating the student experience and deepening industry collaboration,” said Debbie Thompson, president and CEO of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.
Construction is set to begin early this summer and is expected to be complete by spring 2027.
For more information, visit the Olds College website.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@centralalbertaonline.com.
CentralAlbertaOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the CentralAlbertaOnline app.