The provincial government is investing $12.9 million to expand student capacity and create a modern learning environment at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP).  

The funding will be allocated to expand the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC).  

The applied research and innovation centre gives companies access to prototyping and manufacturing equipment, along with a multi-disciplinary team to turn ideas into market-ready products.  

Construction is set for early 2025 and will increase the centre’s applied research, education, and training capacity.   

The expanded centre will provide work-integrated learning opportunities for an estimated 450 post-secondary students and training through workshops and events to an additional 2,000 students annually by 2030.  

Additionally, more than 500 junior and senior high school students will take part in dual credit programs at the centre.   

“Investing in this expansion of CIM-TAC will give students at RDP access to cutting-edge technology and skills to succeed in the economy of tomorrow,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education. “The strategic investments we’re making in Budget 2024 are part of a forward-looking path to support the goals of our post-secondary institutions, grow Alberta’s economy, and create jobs.” 

The expansion will support a variety of sectors through advanced manufacturing capabilities, including energy innovation, transportation, aviation, and agriculture, and also support RDP’s future expansion into more medical device manufacturing and healthcare innovations to support both patients and providers.  

“This expansion project will build on the CIM-TAC’s 15 years of success and leverage the centre’s industry partnerships and manufacturing expertise to provide even more capacity for applied research, as well as education, training, and work-integrated learning opportunities for students,” said Stuart Cullum, president, Red Deer Polytechnic. “We thank the Government of Alberta for this investment that will benefit not only RDP students and researchers but also the entire Central Alberta region and its critical industries like health care, agriculture, energy, and construction.”