MEDIA RELEASE

Partnership will support post-secondary education in High River

December 12, 2011

HIGH RIVER, AB — The Town of High River, Bow Valley College and the Literacy for Life Foundation have formed a vibrant partnership to support the development of post-secondary educational opportunities, increase access to basic literacy and vocational skills training, and promote economic growth in High River.

In a Memorandum Of Understanding, signed December 12, the Town has committed $50,000 in seed money towards appropriate facilities for post-secondary learning and vocational training. In turn, representatives from the college and the foundation have agreed to expand their programming and actively encourage other institutions to offer courses at the shared satellite campus in High River. The three partners are also collaborating to develop a new technologically advanced learning center where new programs and services can be offered to a diverse student population.

"This is very good news for our community," said Mayor Emile Blokland. "By contributing funding for a new distributed learning centre, we are supporting the future growth of post-secondary learning in our town and, at the same time, helping to create business opportunities and growth."

"Signing this agreement today marks the culmination of months of research and work with municipalities, residents, and employers to identify the best solutions for offering access and training opportunities to High River and the surrounding region," said Anna Kae Todd, Bow Valley College's vice-president, learning. "These new facilities will bring in-demand career and foundational learning programs to High River by leveraging educational partnerships and introducing state-of-the-art learning technologies and program delivery methods."

"Literacy for Life Foundation is excited to be part of a vibrant partnership that is working towards creating an integrated learning system for adults in our communities," stated Executive Director Sue Stegmeier. "This type of initiative will give community members greater access to basic literacy, vocational skills and academic educational opportunities creating opportunities for adults to reach their learning, work and personal goals."

This agreement reflects the educational goal set out in the Town Plan to establish facilities that will support the advancement of post-secondary offerings from a variety of institutions.

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