Satellite centres mean students can stay home

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Upgrading your education no longer means having to leave home for many Natives in southern Alberta.

Eden Valley, Morley and Stoney nation members are among those taking advantage of satellite learning centres where adult students can stay in their community while increasing their educational level. The programs, run through Alberta Vocational College and the reserves, offer classes in reading and writing, English, math, and apprenticeship math and science for students 18 years and older.

The apprenticeship courses bring students up to the level necessary to complete the provincial apprenticeship board entrance exam, said Pat Methuen, administrator and teacher at the satellite learning centre. "We have almost a 100-per cent success rate for the examination.

Anyone who passes our course is almost certain of passing the exam," he

said proudly.

Thirty students have completed the course since the centre started offering it.

The AVC program in Eden Valley has been running for five years, previously funded through Canada Employment and now through the federal program Pathways.

"We're the only game in town. We do everything from basic literacy to general equivalency diplomas," said Methuen.

A GED gives a person an actual certificate equivalent to a general high school diploma. It is not the same as an academic diploma but the GED can be an important employment qualification.

"There are employers who say that if you read and write at a high enough level, they can train you on the job," said Methuen.

The independent study course can be completed in four months to a year, depending on each student's schedule and motivation, he said.

Every move to upgrade is a success for Methuen. If the centre can help a student develop some goals and clarify where he or she wants to go, that is a positive step in itself.

"I think it's hard to judge success on the basis of going to the city and getting a job there. A lot of people don't want to, and they really don't want to focus on academic studies.

"I think a student doesn't have to do that to be successful. They can stay in the community and be productive and feel good about themselves," said Methuen.

Eden Valley also offers a computer-managed math program which is linked

to Calgary's Alberta Vocational Centre. This allows students to learn

at their own pace, reducing some of the pressure students might feel

after being away from school for a few years. The course also helps

students become more familiar with computer technology.

"A lot of the students are becoming computer literate, which is quite

valuable for them," said Methuen.

The centre also offers employment skills training, such as how to write a resume, prepare for an interview and tips on keeping jobs.

A new addition to the program is the outdoor education option, where students learn outdoor skills from experienced members of the community. For more information on the Eden Valley learning centre contact Pat Methuen at (403)297-4805.