Red Deer Polytechnic, Sunchild First Nation launch program encouraging students into trades

Red Deer Polytechnic and Sunchild First Nation are launching a program that will encourage more Indigenous students to enter the trades.

The Elders Village Program will offer more opportunity for Indigenous students to gain firsthand experience in areas such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical. Simultaneously, students will help build homes for Elders near Sunchild’s school.

According to RDP, the program is part of a wider memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently renewed between the two parties. The MOU also targets higher rates of collaboration in the areas of applied research, health and wellness, and creative arts.

The MOU and new program are all connected to RDP’s Reconcili-Action Plan 2023-28, and it supports goals identified by the Alberta Government’s Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs strategy.“The renewal of this agreement signifies a definitive effort to put words to actions in providing more opportunities for the students and members of Sunchild to advance their futures in trades through our engagement with RDP,” said Councillor Clint McHugh, Sunchild First Nation.The MOU runs through June 31, 2029.