Lethbridge Polytechnic is a public college in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, opened in 1957 as Canada's first publicly funded community college.
Lethbridge Polytechnic is located at 3000 Polytechnic Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1K 1L6. It is formerly known as Lethbridge College. The college is located on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Lethbridge is a city of about 110,000 people.
Lethbridge Polytechnic opened its doors in 1957 as Canada's first publicly funded community college. It is a public institution.
Lethbridge Polytechnic offers more than 60 certificate, diploma, degree and apprenticeship programs and welcomes more than 6,500 students. 97% of Polytechnic programs offer work-integrated learning experiences. Of graduates, 95% were employed within two years of graduation, with 86% reporting their job was related to their program of study.
The campus has state-of-the-art labs, well-equipped shops and comprehensive services for wellness and academic needs. Listed facilities include a bookstore, Buchanan Library, culinary services and food court, Garden Court Restaurant, on-campus daycare (Hands on Early Learning Centre), a massage clinic, a fitness centre, racquetball/squash courts, Val Matteotti Gymnasium, steam rooms, Kodiaks Athletics and residence.
The Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE) brings together community organizations, researchers and students to collaborate on projects, and is defined by five major research areas. The Lethbridge Polytechnic Simulation Hub became internationally accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, one of only four post-secondary institutions in Canada to achieve such accreditation. The college secured $360,000 in funding from NSERC to advance research into virtual reality-based assessment of police applicants.