Wider Horizons

A collaborative space used by students and faculty to incubate ideas will be included in Lethbridge College’s new McCain announcementtrades and technologies facility thanks to a $100,000 gift from The McCain Foundation, the college announced in February.

“The McCain Foundation recognizes the vital role that education plays in contributing to the quality of life of families and individuals who live and work in communities across the country,” says The McCain Foundation Chair Linda McCain. “We are pleased to support the new facility and are confident that it will enhance the reputation of Lethbridge College as a leader in trades and technologies education in this province.”

The McCain Foundation Simulation Collaboratory will be located in the college’s new facility. It will be a space shared across the college community and support programs through a variety of resources and activities. Students and staff will undertake initiatives that will respond to the college’s mission, the learning needs of students, staff, faculty, and to community and industry-specific issues. As the college works toward leading and transforming education in Alberta, the simulation collaboratory will help Lethbridge College inspire and facilitate learning to meet economic and social needs.

“The college community is so appreciative of the generous gift from The McCain Foundation and the opportunities it will provide us,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns. “While oriented to trades and technologies activities, this simulation collaboratory will support all of Lethbridge College’s programs in innovative ways.”

Among other activities, the simulation collaboratory will be used for shared applied research projects with community and industry partners; for set-up, showcasing, and trials of new equipment; for providing support for pilot programs and course offerings; for building systems as tools for teaching; and much more.

“The new trades and technologies facility is the single most important capital investment in human resources for trades and technologies training in southern Alberta in 50 years,” says Centre of Applied Management Dean Dennis Sheppard. “With the support of partners like The McCain Foundation, all of the college’s programs will thrive and continue to produce outstanding grads who will benefit from hands-on experience. The skills they learn as students at Lethbridge College will allow them to excel in their careers.”

The McCain Foundation was established in 1993 and supports a wide variety of projects across Canada with five areas of traditional giving including education, arts and culture, community/civic projects, health and wellness, and environment.

The college broke ground on the new trades and technologies facility in April 2014. The first phase, which includes programs in the Crooks School of Transportation, will open in September 2015 for Automotive Service Technician, Parts Technician, Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician classes. The second and final phase of the facility will open in September 2017, welcoming 880 new students and a total of 2,300 students in trades and technologies.

Wider Horizons
Lethbridge College
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