It all began in a basement.
In 1963, a small group of students attended Vocational Preparatory training in the basement of the Administration Building at SAIT. These courses—English, math, and science—helped adults gain the skills needed for trades like welding, bookkeeping, and drafting.
That single class sparked an educational movement that has since helped hundreds of thousands of students reach their career goals.
Originally known as the Alberta Vocational Centre (AVC), the school quickly earned a reputation for fast, responsive programs designed for adult learners. By 1972, it had a permanent home at 332 - 6 Avenue SE, where North Campus still stands today.
AVC expanded its reach, partnering with SAIT, Mount Royal, and the University of Calgary to provide specialized training. It also extended its impact globally, offering English language learning (ELL) programs in China and Africa.
Through these initiatives, AVC set the foundation for what would become Bow Valley College—an institution committed to practical, career-focused education.
By 1990, AVC was serving over 6,500 full-time students - plus another 15,000 part-time students - annually across Calgary and beyond, with learning centres throughout the city and outreach programs across the region. The college adapted to industry needs, developing training programs tailored to the private sector and even supporting graduates in starting their own businesses. This focus on practical, career-driven education set the stage for a major shift.
In 1997, Alberta’s vocational colleges became board-governed institutions, measuring success by how well they met workforce demands.
A year later, AVC became Bow Valley College, expanding its reach, forging new partnerships, and innovating how education was delivered.
By 2002, Bow Valley College had more than 10,000 students and a 98% student satisfaction rate. Nearly all graduates found jobs within six months, but demand was outpacing capacity—the college was “bursting at the seams.”
To accommodate growth, Bow Valley College announced an ambitious campus expansion in 2004. With support from the Government of Alberta, the plan included redeveloping North Campus and securing land for a new South Campus. Construction began in 2010, and by 2013, the expanded campus was fully operational, doubling the college’s capacity.
With post-secondary demand rising in Alberta, Bow Valley College launched its first Academic Plan in 2005, aiming to grow career program enrolment while expanding ELL and academic foundations. That same year, Calgary’s public post-secondary institutions created Campus Calgary to improve access and transfer options. The college launched its first public fundraising campaign, Improving Lives Beyond the Classroom, with a $10-million goal to boost student support and community engagement. In 2008, it also launched the Applied Research Office, securing nearly $1 million in its first six months to support innovation and evidence-based learning.
In November 2023, the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) invested $5.5 million in Bow Valley College’s Calgary Entertainment Arts Production Hub (CEAPH), supporting its role in digital industries. The Digital Entertainment Nexus (DEN) within the CEAPH features high-tech studios for virtual production, content creation, and digital storytelling. The production hub includes an LED Volume wall, post-production and editing facilities, and a full-service cinema theatre. The esports arena offers a professional-grade space for students to develop skills in competitive gaming, live-streaming, and digital event production.
In 2023, Bow Valley College was designated a Comprehensive Community College, tasked with closing the province's skills gap and supporting a prosperous economy.
The college also surpassed its $25 million goal in the quiet phase of its Open Doors – Open Minds campaign, raising $26.5 million. The ongoing campaign aims to grow the endowment fund, providing over $2 million annually in scholarships and bursaries, doubling student awards.
Bow Valley College invites the community to help continue empowering students' futures.
Bow Valley College
345 - 6 Avenue SE,
Calgary, AB T2G 4V1
+1 403-410-1400
1-866-428-2669 (toll free)
