Local students will benefit from new collegiate schools around Alberta offering hands-on training and pathways to in-demand jobs.
Locally, STAR Catholic Collegiate is planned for the St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Separate School Division, benefitting students from Ponoka, Leduc, and Drayton Valley, according to a release.
In the 2025/26 school year, 16 new collegiate schools will offer programming in science, aviation, technology, engineering, agriculture, business, information communications and the trades.
Collegiate schools connect classroom learning with real-world careers by offering students hands-on experience and direct pathways to post-secondary education and employment.
They equip students with practical skills, industry experience and a foundation for future careers, helping students succeed and thrive in a fast-paced and evolving job market, noted a release.
Officials say as the economy grows, so does the demand for skilled workers. To help meet this demand and better prepare students for the future, Alberta’s government is expanding collegiate schools across the province.
Budget 2025 invests $27.5 million to support this expansion, which includes $6 million for operational costs and $21.5 million for school improvements.
“Collegiate schools help students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world careers," said Demetrios Nicolaides, minister of education and childcare.
"By expanding this model, we are ensuring young Albertans can access specialized training, explore in-demand careers and graduate with a clear path to further education and meaningful employment.”
Along with the 16 new schools, four existing collegiate schools will receive funding to improve and expand their facilities.
