Lakeland College dual credit offering expands to trades

Dual credit opportunities grow between Lakeland College and Buffalo Trail Public Schools (BTPS) with the offering of an automotive service technician course starting in February.

“We are proud of our ongoing collaboration with Buffalo Trail to provide another dual credit opportunity for high school students in our region to explore their interests and maximize their opportunities in the automotive trade,” says Dave King, dean of Lakeland’s School of Trades and Technology.

BTPS was awarded $100,000 in grant funding from the Government of Alberta for the automotive service technician course. The amount is being split into $50,000 for this year and $50,000 for next year.

"The partnership between Lakeland College and BTPS has benefited many students over the last 20 years. Our collaboration prepares our students for their next steps after high school,” says Rhae-Ann Holoien, superintendent, Buffalo Trail Public Schools.

"The course is designed to help students earn high school and college credits, gain confidence that they can succeed at college, and prepare them for the workforce," says King.

Students will participate in online lectures and travel to the Vermilion campus as scheduled to complete a practical component in Lakeland’s automotive shop. Students are taught technical aspects of the trade by experienced Red Seal Journeyperson instructors who are connected to industry.

Students who successfully complete all the courses in this career and technology studies apprenticeship pathway by early July are eligible to write the apprenticeship and industry training exam for advanced standing in the first period of the automotive service technician trade.

BTPS was awarded an additional $50,000 to go towards the start of dual credit psychology 104 course through Lakeland’s university transfer department.

Learn more about dual credit courses at Lakeland College.

Photos: Top–Fomr left to right: Vice president Dr. Todd Sumner, board member Greg Barr, BTPS student Zavier Roberts, BTPS board chair Kara Jackson, BTPS Superintendent Rhae-Ann Holoien and BTPS student Carson Cassian. Bottom–a group of BTPS dual credit automotive service technician students.