NORTHERN LAKES COLLEGE
College Receives Funds to Develop Micro-Credential Program

Northern Lakes College has received funds to develop a micro-credential program in Indigenous Administration. The funds are part of an $8 million investment by the Government of Alberta over the next two years to fund new micro-credential programs at numerous post-secondary institutions in the province.

"The Indigenous Administration program will include a series of nine, micro-credential courses that lead to an extension certificate. The courses will focus on Indigenous Government Administration in Canada, Indigenous Relations/Cultural Considerations, and Indigenous Community Capacity Building and Economic Development. Learners will have the opportunity to take each module as a stand-alone micro-credential or stack the micro-credentials together to form an extension certificate," comments Amy Saitz, Dean, Business, Academics, Trades, and Regional Stewardship.

The training is intended as upskilling for existing employed persons and for entrepreneurs to increase entrepreneurial initiatives, facilitate relationship building, and foster understanding of Indigenous cultural, historical, political, and economic considerations. The training will be of benefit to any industry working with or within Indigenous communities, as well as individuals working in administrative positions within Indigenous agencies.

The program, which will be delivered through Supported Distance Learning for optimal flexibility, will be developed over the course of the winter and offerings will begin in spring 2023.