The Southeast College is introducing a new program, made to introduce entrepreneurial skills to those currently working in the trades.

The course is said to be the first of its kind in Western Canada.

Executive Director of Communication and Strategic Enrolment Sheena Onrait says the idea came from their current CEO.

"Our CEO, Dr. Vicky Roy ... she had a look at what we offered at Southeast College and what was offered around us and we saw this as an opportunity to be able to fill a training gap in the market that we identified and so we've been working on creating this and we're ready to launch and ready to run our first program starting in September.”

The program is made to be quicker than even part-time courses, designed for people who are already working in the trades.

"It's an 80-hour program, it is four 20-hour courses delivered online. Each of the online courses has three online sessions and this will be able to be completed in two semesters, so starting September 25th and we'll end April 12th.”

“It is made for people that are already in the trades employed, working already, and don't have time to commit to basically a full-time program or even a part-time program. The online courses, there are only three of them per course, and delivered from 6:00 to 8:30 PM in the evening. So really great timing and lots of flexibility as well.”

The program also awards a micro-credential which can be used on LinkedIn pages, resumes, and professional portfolios.

Onrait says she sees plenty of people from the southeast signing up for the course once it launches.

"I think that it really fills a need and a gap in the marketplace. There isn't anything like this, there's no micro credential like this in in our area, in Saskatchewan, and in Western Canada, so we're very excited to be the one that identified this need and is able to bring this to fruition.” 

People can find more info on the program at southeastcollege.org or by calling their toll free information line at 1-866-999-7372.