University of Lethbridge receives funding for micro-credential programs
The University of Lethbridge has successfully secured funding from Advanced Education to create new micro-credentials in the Health and Science and Business Departments.
The U of L has earned $838,750 from Advanced Education, part of an $8-million investment in micro-credential programming across the province.
University of Lethbridge provost and vice-president, Erasmus Okine said in a release that continuing education and non-traditional programming, have long been a way for the University to connect further with our communities and encourage lifelong learning.
“Through micro-credentials, we can reach even more Albertans who are looking to upgrade their skills to enhance their careers or change course and meet the new demands of an ever-shifting job market,” said Okine.
The funding received from Advanced Education will support the creation of a Trauma-Informed Care Micro-Credential in the Faculty of Health Sciences and a Personal Financial Planner MicroCredential in the Dhillon School of Business.
The Trauma-Informed Care Micro-Credential will feature an approach that emphasizes a different vision for how to care for people not only as health professionals but as human beings. “Our schools are full of children with learning disabilities and mental health issues that are trauma-based but the average teacher never gets a single lecture on trauma. Our health-care system is full of clients with debilitating mental health issues and substance abuse issues that are largely the result of trauma, but the average health provider never gets a single course on trauma,” said in a release Claudia Steinke, associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Program.
The micro-credential consists of seven different learning series where students will acquire a better understanding of the sources from which troubling behaviours occur and diseases spring in the wounded human soul.
The learnings will help guide people toward a path of individual and collective healing.
“Most health-care providers are untrained to offer the support that is necessary for the wellbeing of the traumatized individual. I believe if we had a more trauma-informed society, we would have a society that is much more compassionate. This micro-credential program will help to fill a current gap that exists in our training of health professionals,” said Steinke.
The Personal Financial Planning micro-credential, comprising nine short online courses, will allow individuals aspiring to a career in personal financial planning to pursue the prestigious Qualified Associate Financial Planner and the Certified Financial Planner® designations offered by FP Canada (pending curriculum approval by FP Canada).
“This is a tremendous opportunity for career switchers, existing students, and individuals with degrees in any discipline to open doors to a rewarding high-demand career helping individuals and families have a more secure financial future,” said in a release Kerry Godfrey, dean of the Dhillon School of Business.