Buffalo Trail Public Schools (BTPS) is proud to announce the official approval of its Human Services Collegiate Program, a bold and future-focused initiative developed in partnership with Lakeland College and supported through a grant from Alberta Education. Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, this collegiate program will provide students in Grades 10–12 across the division with expanded access to dual credit coursework, hands-on learning, and direct pathways into careers within the Human Services sector.

The Human Services Collegiate includes specialized programming in:

• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Assistant Foundations
• Social Work and Youth Support
• Health Services Foundations
• Community Care and Mental Health

These courses align with the Alberta CTS Human Services cluster and will be delivered through a combination of in-person instruction at the BTPS Learning Hub in Vermilion. Students will earn both high school and post-secondary credits while gaining real-world experience through work placements and community-based learning.

“This program reflects our unwavering commitment to expanding high-quality, locally accessible programming that meets the needs of rural students,” said James Trodden, Assistant Superintendent of Learning at BTPS. “Our partnership with Lakeland College allows students to learn from industry professionals, earn recognized credentials, and explore meaningful careers in service-oriented fields that are essential to thriving communities.”

The Human Services Collegiate is part of BTPS’s broader commitment to offering diverse and relevant programming that reflects student interests, labour market demands, and community values. Building on strong programming with Lakeland College, from Trades and University Transfer courses to the new Human Services Collegiate, BTPS continues to innovate in how education prepares students for life beyond high school.

BTPS students report increased engagement, motivation, and readiness for post-secondary success through these initiatives. With this newest addition, more students will be supported in discovering and pursuing purposeful careers in education, health, and social services, sectors critical to the future of Alberta.

This announcement positions BTPS as a provincial leader in developing high-impact educational pathways rooted in collaboration, equity, and rural opportunity.