Progress is underway at Calmar Collegiate Secondary School as construction moves full steam ahead toward its Fall 2025 opening, and with programming plans nearly finalized, the school is on track to become a hub for hands-on learning and career preparation for students to thrive in Alberta’s booming trades sector. 

Current developments include the installation of the main structural beam and the construction of a connecting piece from the new addition to the main school. Once this connection is complete the pre-engineered building will be added and then the concrete floors will be poured. Work on the interior of the addition, classrooms, offices, and washrooms will follow. The aim is to have the building ready by the spring, with equipment installation beginning soon thereafter.

The Collegiate school will house innovative programming tailored for students in Grades 10-12, focusing on three skilled trades – carpentry, electrical, and pipe trades:

• Grade 10 students will be introduced to the three trades, and will participate in off-site visits to shops throughout the year to gain real-world insights, to complement their core academic studies.
• Grade 11 will feature hands-on learning in a trimester system, which will give students the opportunity to more deeply explore the three trades while working together.
• Grade 12 students can enroll in pre-apprenticeship programs, which offer 12 weeks of full-day technical training to prepare them for First Period apprenticeship exams. 

Once they graduate, students can enter the workforce and continue their journey from apprenticeship to journeyperson.

Students will learn from industry professionals alongside certified teachers, thanks to the Black Gold School Division’s strong partnerships with Northern Lakes College, the Building Trades of Alberta, and the Educational Partnership Foundation.