Over 170 high-school students from across the region explored potential careers at Special Areas this past April.
Prairie Land School Division partnered with Special Areas Board staff to highlight different opportunities students could pursue right here in the Special Areas. Grade 10 and 11 students learned more about potential careers from equipment operators to agricultural fieldmen – and everything in between.
“Special Areas has always been a big supporter of Prairie Land – and its students. It was important that we help our students understand how many different careers are found right here in our rural communities. PLRD is all about preparing our students for big futures; we wanted to make sure students knew they could pursue those big futures in the Special Areas,” said Kelly Lewis, Coordinator of Teacher Recruitment, Trades & Outdoor Learning.
Over the two-day event, students participated in sessions highlighting different trades Special Areas employs. Special Areas employs over 120 permanent and 140 seasonal staff, and students learned more about potential jobs – and career paths – offered here at home. Sessions focused on agricultural services, equipment operating, road maintenance and construction, and protective services.
“We appreciated the chance to meet high-school students from across the region and show them some of the different jobs they could have at Special Areas. There are so many different careers possible and helping students see how they could get a good job right here at home is very important to us. We want local students to see ways they can build a future here at home if they want,” Brent Fecho, Superintendent of Roads & Equipment.
Students enjoyed hands-on learning opportunities during the sessions. Staff from Special Areas roads and construction departments spoke about the type of work they do and toured students through various equipment.
Agricultural Fieldmen talked about their role, including key tasks like weed control to pest surveys to working in the Red Deer River valley. During interactive games, students had a chance to try out different tools like backpack sprayers, sweep nets, and pest controls.
Lunch was served at the Youngstown Community Hall, and students could visit booths to learn more about careers in the trades and future training paths. Representatives from Medicine Hat College helped students have hands-on practice with a house wiring simulator, along with information on post-secondary training programs. CAREERS shared information about the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), including how students could pursue different trade career paths while still working. Dual-credit programs were featured at the Altario Agricultural Academy booth, including new opportunities with Lakeland College.

Golden Hills School Division is very pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Gordon to the position of Vice Principal of Wheatland Crossing School, effective the start of the 2025/2026 school year.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and a Family Studies and Guidance and Career Education from Western University.
Michelle has been with Wheatland Crossing School as a teacher since 2022, following nine years of teaching at a number of schools across Canada. Her leadership philosophy focusing on collaboratively supporting students, staff, and families so all students reach their highest potential will serve her well in her new administrative role.