Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
With 50 years of experience in providing educational learning opportunities in post-secondary education and skills training, academic upgrading and essential skills courses, English Language Training, as well as industry and workforce development opportunities to individuals, businesses and organizations across east-central Saskatchewan, Carlton Trail College (CTC) continues to be an important part of communities in the region.
In her year-end review, Amy Yeager, President and CEO of CTC, emphasized the launch of several new programs and initiatives this fall. Notably, this includes the arrival of international students for the first time, representing a significant step in CTC’s commitment to global education.
Through partnerships and collaboration with industry and other post-secondary institutions, such as Great Plains College, North West College, and Suncrest College, CTC has been able to offer scholarships and participate in an initiative for recruiting international students. This effort was crucial in enrolling the first group of international students this year.
Planning is also underway for the expansion of the College’s trades training facility, which will support growth and innovation in skilled trades education across the region. The expansion project got its start in March 2023, when the College announced the campus in Humboldt was to receive a capital funding allocation of $800,000 to expand its regional trades training facility. The additional shop and classroom space will increase facility usage, furthering the College’s ability to develop skilled and job-ready workers.
According to Carlton Trail College, the aged building is the College’s primary trades training building. It provides classroom and shop space to both Carlton Trail College students and Horizon School Division secondary students as part of a unique, working agreement between the institutions. Along with being vital to the delivery of skilled trades programs such as welding, electrician, industrial mechanics (millwright) and others, it also exposes high-school youth to early schooling in the trades.
In the 2025-26 provincial budget, a further $1 million was designated for the Carlton Trail College Technical Facility expansion in Humboldt.
When the original facility opened in the 1980s, it was celebrated for its ability to meet increased training demand in a clean, modern setting. Since then, through balanced programming and careful scheduling, the College has maximized the use of the facility.
The construction of the original building was described as a “minor miracle.” A news report at the time quoted CTC administrator, Lorne Johnson, as saying, “The Tech. Ed building was put together in two months, more like three weeks. Three years of background preparation went into it, but we had to physically get the plans ready starting mid-August.”
At the time of construction, it was unique for a Community College to have its own facility to use when teaching electronics, welding, or heavy equipment courses. Instead, Community Colleges would utilize high school or technical school facilities, or, as in Humboldt, the rural municipality’s workshop.
Recent announcements regarding significant mining investments, the expansion of regional agricultural enterprises, and increased residential and commercial activities highlight the ongoing demand for skilled trade workers. The development of a new trades training facility in Humboldt will provide more space for hands-on learning in trades, healthcare, and emerging programs, helping to meet the growing need for skilled workers in Saskatchewan’s economy.
“Apprentices and skilled tradespeople are in high demand in Saskatchewan,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jim Reiter said. To that end, the Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed the first week of November this year as Skilled Trade and Technology Week in Saskatchewan. The week promoted and raised awareness of the opportunities in the skilled trade and technology sectors.
