College History

NorQuest College, formerly Alberta Vocational College, was officially established by the Government of Alberta in 1965 with the primary objective of providing untrained and under-employed Albertans with the opportunity to develop skills required in an industrialized workforce. In 1965 the vocational center consisted of four academic upgrading classrooms, a space housing 60 business education students, a barber shop, a beauty culture lab, and a welding and equipment maintenance shop. There were additional programs offered at separate locations in Edmonton. With government plans to construct a central downtown site for the college in 1970, these programs would all be offered under the same roof by 1971 and total student enrollment would rise to 2,300 in 1972 from 550 in 1966. New programs were developed and existing programs expanded and revised to accommodate the educational needs of an increasing student body.

Today as an independent institution led by a Board of Governors, NorQuest's full-time student enrolment is 3,800 with an additional 7,000 part-time students. The College boasts graduate employment rates of 97 percent and has the largest enrolment rates in Alberta for health-care aide, practical nurse, and academic upgrading programs. NorQuest College campuses exist in Stony Plain and Westaskiwin, and NorQuest community learning programs are offered in Drayton Valley, Edson, Hinton, Westlock, and Whitecourt. The quest to help people build their futures continues at NorQuest College.