SACI cuts ribbon for new building at Lethbridge Polytechnic

By Lethbridge Herald on February 7, 2026.

By Alexandra Noad

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter-Lethbridge Herald

High school students in southern Alberta have the opportunity to experiment when making the biggest decision of their life-what they want to do with the rest of their life, thanks to the brand new Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute (SACI), which held a grand opening on Friday.

This institute allows students to obtain both high school and college level credits while getting hands on training to prepare them for college.

SACI will offer three different career pathway systems which include trades, agriculture and healthcare.

Jason Kupery, associate superintendent of alternative programs for Palliser School Division and co-director of SACI, says these programs allow students to make informed decisions when making decisions for post secondary.

“Giving opportunities for students to engage in those different areas, we start broad and we try and help them narrow down their focus so they can make informed choices for their transition to the post-secondary life.”

Those attending SACI do online work, alongside their high school curriculum and then spend their Fridays at the SACI building located on the Polytechic grounds, getting hands on experience in their desired field.

Kupery adds the passion and confidence the students find through their courses, allows them to be better students in the classroom.

“It was a major concern when we first started missing every Friday, but what has happened is students begin to find a passion, grow their confidence and so they’re actually better students Monday to Thursday”

Through funds from Alberta education and the partner school divisions, this opportunity comes at little to no extra cost for the students, along with transportation to SACI, if needed.

Myles McDougal, minister for Advanced Education for the Alberta government says this collaboration is exactly what you want to see when it comes to student success.

“We want to give opportunities to students to get exposed to the trades and other programs, get ready for the for the workforce (and) get an opportunity to try different things.”

Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge-East, who spent 4 years at Lethbridge College, where he obtained his apprenticeship in carpentry, says the opportunities SACI gives to students will provide a great stepping stone to find a well paying job.

“This facility is just a terrific pathway for young people to find a good paying job.”

He adds while the technology at the Polytechnic may be more advanced than when he attended, the emphasis on hands-on learning remains the same.

Cyra Graf, a Grade 12 student in parts and heavy duty equipment says the course gave her a look at what taking the trade at the college level would look like and showed her if she was capable of handling the knowledge and what was required of her.

“Having hands on-representation to get into these trades is really important because it shows you if your capable or if you’re not and I feel like that is really, really important here.”

SACI is just one of 28 programs throughout the province. More information can be found at www.southernalbertacollegiateinstitute.ca/.