By CHAT News Today

College in discussion phase on new programming relating to cannabis, technology

Apr 25, 2018 | 11:36 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – With two large companies choosing to set up shop in Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat College is looking at potentially adding programs related to the two industries.

Last week, Aurora Cannabis announced they had signed a memorandum of understanding with the city to build the largest cannabis production facility in Canada. The facility is expected to be operating in 2019.

In March, Hut 8 Mining Corp announced a $100 million investment to set up a digital currency mining operation near the Box Springs Power Plant, scheduled to open this fall.

With the new industries setting up shop, Medicine Hat College is currently looking at ways to add new programs, but note it’s still in the early stages.

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“(We’re) very much in the discussion phase,” said Wayne Resch, acting president of Medicine Hat College. “(We’re) just reaching out, finding out what they have, what we have, and see what we even have for resources internally that we could put toward this, so it’s very much in the discussion phase.”

Resch says they’ve already reached out to Hut 8, who indicated they wanted to partner with Medicine Hat College when they announced the new facility. He adds the college has also reached out to Aurora about potential cannabis training programs at the college, and are also considering partnerships with other post-secondary institutions to offer programming.

“We want to make sure that what we are looking at doing is in line in what the labour market for that area would be wanting us to be looking into, and being that other colleges have already maybe gone down that road, there could be some avenues that would get us there quicker, if we could use potentially use some of the things they’ve done, or would be doing, into the future,” he said.

Resch adds it’s huge for the college if they can offer programming in the city.

“I think if we can offer that, and keep learners in the region, it helps everybody,” he said.