Northern Lakes College is a public, board-governed college in Slave Lake, Alberta, serving a large rural and Indigenous region.
Northern Lakes College is a public, board-governed college with its main campus at 1201 Main Street SE in Slave Lake, Alberta. The college serves a region of 164,000 square kilometers and more than 50 communities, including fifteen First Nations and four Métis Settlements. It is located on Treaty 8 territory and Métis Nation of Alberta Districts 13 – 15 and 20 – 22.
Northern Lakes College launched under its new name on August 25, 1999. Its history can be traced back to 1970-71, when Education Technicians were trained at the Alberta Vocational Centre (AVC) in Grouard. AVC Grouard and the Community Vocational Centres were amalgamated in 1988 after operating separately as provincially-administered institutions. Board governance took effect on September 1, 1997 under an Interim Governing Authority, and the 11 member Board was established in April 1998. The college marked its 50th anniversary in 2020.
The college's mission is to provide quality educational programs and services that enable adults to continue their education, improve their employment opportunities, and enhance their quality of life, with respect for cultures and the needs of communities. Its vision is to be recognized as a first-choice community-based college with the most accessible programs and services in Alberta. The stated values are Community, Respect, Accessibility, Collaboration, Excellence, and Lifelong Learning.
Programs are offered face to face, blended, or through Supported Distance Learning (SDL), a key delivery tool that helps the college reach students throughout the region and beyond. The college has a Fairview Campus and a Slave Lake Campus. Slave Lake facilities include conference and meeting spaces, a gymnasium with a climbing wall, a library, student residences, the Northern Lights Aquatics Centre, and Momma B's Second Helping, a cafeteria and catering service.
Applicants may apply through the Apply Alberta (APAS) application or directly to Northern Lakes College. A placement test can be used in lieu of transcripts, and international applicants may submit an English language proficiency test. Apprenticeship programs have their own admission route.