Lakeland College is giving Lloydminster students the opportunity to make money while going to school with an update to the 2nd Class power engineering program.

The institution announced on Feburary 19th, the Alberta Boilers Safety Association approved the program’s move to a new blended learning format last month. The change from a face-to-face format will make Lakeland the only post-secondary in Alberta to offer the program in the new format.

“We hope this move bolsters the number of employed 3rd Class engineers who are looking for a flexible program to obtain their 2nd Class certificate. The goal is to upgrade job-ready skills that may appeal to industry,” says Rob Collins, Lakeland’s chair of the School of Energy.

The blended format stretches the existing program over two years with students completing a majority of the course load online. Students will receive help from instructors through email, phone or skype.

The new agreement between Lakeland and ABSA states upon completion of the entire two-year program, students can reduce their firing time by nine months of the 24 months needed.