A $100,000 grant from the provincial government looks set to help students at St. John Paul II Catholic School in Grande Prairie become better prepared for skilled labour careers.
The dual credit grant is meant to support students transitioning to post-secondary education or the workplace by helping bolster career-based courses in grades 10, 11, and 12 where students can earn both high school credits and credits that count toward a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree.
“It was great we had the chance to showcase our welding apprenticeship class, where the [Education] minister could see first-hand the positive impact the provincial dual credit enhancement grant is making for our students,” says Director of Teaching and Learning for Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools Roger Lauck.
While the grant for SJPII will go towards supporting its welding shop, new or enhanced dual credit courses can also include carpentry apprenticeships as well as training in artificial intelligence, medical and health technologies, and agriculture technology.
In all, it’s expected the province will hand out more than $3.5 million in participating school boards across Alberta in the 2023-2024 school year, with any unused funds carrying over into the 2024-25 school year.
