Red Deer Polytechnic extends partnership with NESC Technical Institute

At an on-campus event earlier today, Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic, signed a new Collaborative Agreement with Kern Dass, President of NESC Technical Institute, to extend the collaboration and support for apprenticeship training in Trinidad & Tobago until 2031. 

“As Red Deer Polytechnic, we are excited to continue our valuable partnership with the NESC Technical Institute and our global outreach,” says Mr. Cullum. “This ongoing collaboration is an example of how Red Deer Polytechnic helps to contribute to the accessibility of high-quality educational opportunities, skill development, and economic growth around the world.” 

Red Deer Polytechnic and the NESC Technical Institute’s partnership began in 2008 and has evolved over the years. Over 14 years, Red Deer Polytechnic has provided skilled trades training, Red Seal Exam preparation, quality assurance, certification and access to its Learning Management System which allowed the NESC Technical Institute to offer blended online delivery to apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since the collaboration evolved into an Affiliation Agreement in 2016, more than 375 learners have graduated as skilled trades professionals in Trinidad & Tobago. 

The new Collaborative Agreement affirms a commitment to increase the offering of skilled trades programs through the NESC Technical Institute and to develop a Renewable Energy Program in the Caribbean region. 

"The NESC is happy to continue our long-standing partnership with RDP. We're especially excited about new projects like collaborating on curricula that will incorporate work-integrated learning, which will give students real-work experience directly within their academic programs," says Mr. Dass. "In addition, we are looking forward to expanding our footprint in the Caribbean market by leveraging opportunities for skills training in the region. We will work together to promote a model of technical training delivery, jointly certified by RDP and NESC.”

Red Deer Polytechnic instructors will continue to play an integral role in skilled trades training in Trinidad & Tobago. 

“At Red Deer Polytechnic, our instructors are industry experts and will deliver synchronous online learning modules to train and mentor the NESC Technical Institute instructors,” says Kylie Thomas, Vice President Academic & Provost. “With the Agreement, Red Deer Polytechnic and the NESC Technical Institute have also committed to explore applied research opportunities together, which will include the topics of emerging trade technologies and practices, and energy and manufacturing innovations.” 

In addition, Red Deer Polytechnic’s signing of this Collaborative Agreement supports its commitment to the United Nations SDG Accord. Through this partnership, Red Deer Polytechnic helps to provide quality education, to reduce inequalities, and to promote productive employment and economic growth.

More information about the NESC Technical Institute is available at: www.nesc.edu.tt.