About
Learning Communities was initiated in May 2007 with the vision of assisting northern Alberta rural and remote communities create viable futures through learning opportunities.
Northern Alberta communities recognize the importance of education in their long term sustainability and economic growth. Many rural and remote communities face multiple challenges when they try to develop this capacity. In co-operation with key supporters and stakeholders, Athabasca University is helping communities to overcome these challenges.
Phase 1 of Learning Communities focused on developing learning opportunities for workers in remote work camps and residents of other rural communities in northern Alberta. This research, which was funded primarily by a private donation, has increased understanding of the learning needs of rural Albertans and informed a variety of related research projects.
Phase 2, funded by Rural Alberta’s Development Fund, strives to identify learners in northern Aboriginal communities who are seeking specific educational opportunities and to facilitate linkages between these learners and partner educational providers. These linkages will be established through a central, web-based co-ordinating network that links remote communities so that they can be more easily served by educational programs. This network will also provide opportunities for learner support and mentorship, and opportunities to share ideas about community issues and possible solutions.
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Course
Blue Seal Certification is designed to provide Alberta Journeymen and Alberta Occupational certificate holders with business skills to help advance into leadership, management and administrative roles.