Staff at the Ponoka and Rimbey Adult Learning Centre are excited about the range of educational opportunities that continue to grow via the organization.
First up, on Dec. 11, they are hosting an appreciation luncheon at the centre from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for volunteers, facilitators, students, and board members.
"A lot of people around that time are finishing things up here, and about to take a break for the Christmas season," said Sharon Schwab, Ponoka Adult Learning coordinator, adding the organization is run by a volunteer board of directors.
The learning centre was launched back in the early 1980s, and is run by a volunteer board of directors. They also have a joint relationship with Red Deer Polytechnic, Olds College, and Campus Alberta Central.
Here in Ponoka, their facility features a state-of-the-art lab where the licensed practical nursing program takes place, and a health care aid program is available as well. Besides these two programs, there is a broad selection of community learning opportunities.
Meanwhile, looking ahead, there are several information-packed sessions right around the corner. A new exploration of financial hot topics is slated for Feb. 6.
"Last year, we went with 'Money Matters' through the TD bank," said Schwab.
"I know a number of folks were asking for more, so I reached out to a fellow by the name of Paul Orr. He's a financial advisor, and he's very happy to present 'Investing 101' on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. He'll be talking about RRSPs, TFSAs, and stocks and bonds -- all of the ins and outs of these. I also asked if he could explain the new capital gains laws that are coming into effect."
Eric Ulveland, a Lacombe-based certified accountant, will be onhand to talk about capital gains as well.
Other courses include English Language Learning which is ongoing. "We have two classes that are running - one is for 'high beginners', which runs Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. And then just recently, we have started a conversation cafe for people who are at an intermediate level, and might be looking at writing their permanent residency exams," she explained.
The cafes run Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m.
"We also have continued individual tutoring for English," said Schwab, adding the program runs with the help of a team of volunteer tutors.
"And in the New Year, we start our digital learning again. It's called 'Introduction to Computers'. We are also going to present it a little differently than we have in the past. We used to call it 'Basic Computers'. This time, it will be the introductory material, and then we will move into basic software skills in another session."
These includes exploring everything from Microsoft Word to the beginnings of designing spreadsheets via Excel, plus Internet basics including a look at safety on the web, and social media basics, too.
Schwab said the other big item on the horizon is CAEC - the Canadian Adult Education Certificate. Essentially, it's a replacement of the GED.
"It's very similar to the GED, but it is based on Canadian content. After Christmas, we will be starting to roll out CAEC for people to sign up, and we will walk them through it."
Nicole Braim, Campus Alberta Central coordinator, noted that through their partnership with Red Deer Polytechnic, the practical nurse students are currently wrapping up their first trimester at the learning centre.
"This class of 11 students is on track to graduate in the spring of 2026. Applications for our next cohort starting in the fall of 2026 will open in October of 2025," she said.
"We also have a career launcher program that is running now, and this includes a group of adults from Ermineskin who have been working on this since early September," she said.
"Students are enhancing their skills in digital literacy, math, career prep, and more. This program concludes in mid-January. And also, the health care aid course starts in January through Red Deer Polytechnic as well. Registration is still open for this. The eight-month program is basically online, with one lab session per week at the learning centre.
"Practicum placements will also be available in Ponoka and surrounding communities."
As to Rimbey operations, Schwab said there is one-on-one assistance there. "They are also doing a financial literacy session, too, and they will be having Basic Computers.
"They are also looking for participants for their conversation cafe," she said, adding services in Rimbey are operated out of the town's FCSS office.
"They are also looking for more tutors."
The centre closes for the month of July, but come August, the staff is back at it and eager to hear from the community in terms of what kinds of programming and learning opportunities they’d like to see.
For more information, find the centre on Facebook, or call 403-783-3285.
