Our Polytechnic

In Alberta, polytechnics occupy a space between traditional colleges and universities.

The term “polytechnic” means different things from country to country, with some countries not having any polytechnics, others using the term interchangeably with “universities,” and others aligning them more closely with colleges that focus on applied learning.

In Alberta, the term “polytechnic” has been used interchangeably with technical institutes for decades, but that definition does not reflect the reality that polytechnics, like Lethbridge Polytechnic, deliver a broad range of academic programs that are not technical in nature.

Our polytechnic offers certificates, diplomas, degrees, apprenticeships as well as continuing education and corporate training programs, and provide a robust environment for applied research. Each of these areas of focus offers opportunities for building careers, furthering education or supporting economic and social needs.

The differences are small, especially for institutions like Lethbridge College. Both types of institutions focus on applied learning and combine study with practical skills training and experience. Lethbridge College was one of nine Comprehensive Community Colleges in Alberta, but as Lethbridge Polytechnic, we’ll be one of five polytechnics, joining NAIT, SAIT, Northwestern and Red Deer.

One key difference is a polytechnic in Alberta MUST provide approved apprenticeship training. That’s optional for a college, but it is something we have always done and always will provide.

The advanced education environment in Alberta and elsewhere is shifting, and polytechnics are occupying a space between traditional colleges and universities. By building pathways with colleges and universities, Lethbridge Polytechnic will give our students more options at all stages of their careers and lives. The polytechnic meets a need our students have for career-focused education, opportunities to engage in meaningful applied research and participate in work-integrated learning. These opportunities for students are also good for industry and the economy. As a polytechnic, we are future-focused, agile and ready to seize on opportunities to connect students with careers that keep our province growing.

The conversation about becoming polytechnic started in 2021, under President Dr. Paula Burns. Then, in 2023, Lethbridge College, under President Dr. Brad Donaldson, embarked on a series of engagements of employees, students, alumni, community and industry partners to clearly understand who we are today and who we need to be for the future. The result was a new vision, mission and values. Our transition to a polytechnic aligns with our vision — “Preparing Learners. Shaping Communities.” Polytechnics are known for their hands-on and industry-responsive approach, which prepares learners to shape communities wherever they live and work.

Tuition for 2024-25 will increase no more than two per cent across the institution (no more than 10 per cent for domestic enrolment in a given program), in keeping with the Alberta Tuition Framework. That budget decision was made before the province approved the change to a polytechnic.

We don't have a total yet, but we do appreciate some of the changes are expensive. We will take a measured and cost-conscious approach to these changes over an appropriate timeframe. This change won’t happen overnight and we are working to prioritize what needs to change quickly and what can wait in order to spread the required resources over time.

No, there is no funding increase or decrease associated with a transition to a polytechnic. We did it because it’s what our students need us to be going forward

None of our programs will change immediately as a result of our new designation.

As Lethbridge College, we’ve built an excellent mix of apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas and degrees in high-demand sectors of our economy. We need to always ensure our programs deliver at a high level and meet student and industry needs. We will continue to evaluate our programs and make changes as needed.

You’ll see Lethbridge Polytechnic replacing references to Lethbridge College starting in July 2024. Our new website at lethpolytech.ca will launch July 8. Consultations on our new logo will begin over the summer and into fall. It will take a while for us to fully change to Lethbridge Polytechnic, and experience tells us, we’ll still be finding references to Lethbridge College years from now. But as of now, we are Lethbridge Polytechnic and our legal name change becomes official Sept. 3.

It could help us to expand the reach of applied research. Lethbridge College has made huge strides in applied research, reaching 11th in the 2023 Infosource ranking of Canada’s Top Research Colleges. But it surprises many potential partners that a college would have world-class expertise in such a wide array of subjects. In the latest Infosource rankings, five of the Top 10 ranked schools were polytechnics. Only three were colleges and the remaining two were CEGEPs (Collège d'enseignement general et professionnel), a type of post-secondary unique to Quebec. Look at the Top 15, and more than half of the ranked schools are polytechnics. By changing our designation, we could catch the attention of more partners and grow our applied research to the next level.

We discussed the possibility of redesignation with post-secondary institutions across the region. In January 2024, as part of that work, Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge signed a memorandum of understanding outlining our commitment to work collaboratively to ensure we don’t duplicate programming as a polytechnic.

Here's a statement from the university president shared on the day news of our redesignation was shared: Statement from University of Lethbridge president: Lethbridge College receives polytechnic status | Notice Board (ulethbridge.ca). We appreciate their support!

We know there can be strong opinions about a logo, and we don’t take that connection lightly. We plan to consult with current and prospective students, employees and other key groups about a new design. That kind of meaningful consultation is difficult over the summer. We’ll plan some consultation early in the fall and be ready to launch that important visual before the end of the year.

Yes. We look forward to seeing you!

The names will change over the next few weeks but please keep following so we can share all the exciting things to come!

We consulted with an Indigenous expert on campus, and we’re thrilled to report we can keep our Blackfoot name, bestowed on us in 2017 by Indigenous Elder/Grandfather Peter Weasel Moccasin. Just as members of the Blackfoot Confederacy may change last names at a point in life, their traditional name stays with them. We’re honoured to remain Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan.

Yes. Our athletes will be known as the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks. #WeAreAllKodiaks.

Yes. As always, we look to be highly competitive against other colleges, polytechnics and universities in the conference.

You can email your questions to info@lethpolytech.ca. Or watch for our team to be out in the community this summer and ask us. We’ll be thrilled to talk about what this could mean to our future – and how you can be a part of it. And watch for details coming soon about Coulee Fest, our September community celebration. The event will be a great chance to celebrate this change and learn more.

You’ll see Lethbridge Polytechnic replacing references to Lethbridge College starting in July 2024.

• Our new website at lethpolytech.ca will launch July 8.
• Students and employees will move to lethpolytech.ca email and logins on Aug. 1 (watch for instructions coming to your lethbridgecollege.ca email account).
• Consultations on our new logo will begin over the summer and into fall.

It will take a while for us to fully change to Lethbridge Polytechnic, and experience tells us, we’ll likely still be finding references to Lethbridge College years from now. But as of now, we are Lethbridge Polytechnic, with the official legal name change taking effect Sept. 3, 2024.