September 6 marks the kick-off of another academic year at Great Plains College. Approximately 423 full-time post-secondary and Adult Basic Education students will be attending orientation day at five Great Plains College locations throughout southwest and west-central Saskatchewan.
“Orientation day is one of the most exciting days of the year at the college. It’s the day we see the highest influx of students, many of them just starting their post-secondary education,” said Carrie Voysey, Great Plains College director of communications. “Our staff and instructors are always excited to welcome all the new and returning faces to the GPC family.”
College wide, the majority of 2016-17 full-time post-secondary programs have reached their enrolment limits. Overall, 2016-17 full-time enrolments have seen an 18 per cent increase above the three-year average. Additional new and returning students will also be enrolling in part-time and continuous intake programs such as Adult Basic Education.
In response to the demand for program changes and diversification, Great Plains has also launched two new programs in 2016-17.
A four-month Third Class Power Engineering course is now being offered in Kindersley with the first cohort scheduled to start in April 2017. The new course, which is brokered from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), will complement the existing Fourth Class Power Engineering program in Kindersley, and anyone with a Fourth Class Provincial Certificate is eligible to apply.
“We know there is a high demand for power engineering programs in the province, so we’re excited to offer another option for those wanting to continue their education and access Third Class training,” said Fritz Eckstein, region manager at Great Plains College.
A new Liberal Arts Certificate is also being offered in Swift Current. Students will learn about a wide range of subjects that are general to all walks of life, rather than specific to a particular profession or trade. The completion of this certificate can function as a standalone certificate or as the first step towards many university degrees.
On Warman Campus, the Certificate in Management Essentials for the Construction Industry was a success in its first year, and a second offering will begin in October. The part-time 16-week program is run in partnership with the Saskatoon Construction Association and provides practical and theoretical training to aspiring managers in the trades and industry.
The Biggar Program Centre will also be operating at full capacity in both its full-time post-secondary programs – Electrician and Practical Nursing.
“Great Plains College is dedicated to its mission of building careers, partnership and communities,” said David Keast, Great Plains College President. “Our enrolments have been strong and we are excited about our new program and partnership growth. We are looking forward to another successful year at all of our college locations.”
A full list of Great Plains College locations and their contact information is available on our website at greatplainscollege.ca.
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For more information contact:
Amy Sletten, Communications Coordinator
Phone: (306) 737-6107
Email: amys@greatplainscollege.ca