NorQuest is your Community College

NorQuest College is the Edmonton region’s community college – providing access to high-calibre post-secondary programs and foundational learning opportunities to thousands of mature, motivated, career-focused students each year. Our programs are designed to meet the needs of students, regardless of where they start from or where they live.

After 45 years, NorQuest remains committed to providing students with the opportunity to succeed in a variety of post-secondary diploma and certificate career programs in health and human services, and business and industry. The College also has expertise in adult literacy, academic upgrading, English as a Second Language (ESL), Aboriginal education, and learner supports for students with disabilities.

Our health care graduates are some of the most sought after graduates in Alberta. In fact, the Practical Nurse Diploma program and Health Care Aide Certificate program have the largest enrolments in Canada when compared to similar program offerings. The College-wide employment rate for NorQuest graduates is over 97 per cent.

The College continues to grow. Demand for our programs has resulted in increased enrolment; some years as by as much as 16 per cent. Providing access to our foundational and bridging programs remains a top priority. NorQuest College has campuses in Edmonton, Wetaskiwin and Stony Plain, community learning centres in Hinton, Edson, Jasper, Whitecourt, Westlock, Drayton Valley and Camrose, and online distance learning in more than 200 communities in Canada. Most recently, the Alberta government designated NorQuest as the Comprehensive Community Institution (community college) responsible for the Edmonton region from Camrose to Jasper and Drayton Valley to Whitecourt.

Community priorities are NorQuest priorities

NorQuest is Alberta’s largest community college, with a goal of becoming one of Canada’s leading community colleges.  The College has five centres for excellence focused on applied research and workplace solutions:  education for continuing care, intercultural education, print media, Aboriginal education, and learning supports. With instructional expertise and evidence-based research in each of these five areas, the College is connecting with industry and communities to find innovative new ways to support the needs of learners, employees and employers in Alberta’s ever-changing workforce.

Our 2010-2020 Strategic Plan will ensure the College is ready to take advantage of every opportunity and address the anticipated challenges over the next decade. We will foster necessary growth, broaden access to our programs and services, and create new opportunities for learners to achieve their academic, career and life goals. This plan is focused on three key strategic priorities:

• Enhanced presence in the communities NorQuest serves and in the education sector
• Growth in learning opportunities and our ability to serve learners
• Diversification that reaches Albertans where they live and work

This 10-year blueprint will shape and guide NorQuest in a way that is relevant, responsive and in your community. Through a focus on these strategic priorities, we will meet the changing needs of students, employers and communities, and fulfill our mandate as the Edmonton region’s community college.