Transforming the future of health care for all Albertans
Over the past 60 years, Bow Valley College has grown from a vocational training institution into a dynamic, career-focused college based in downtown Calgary. Today, we equip our students with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to succeed in Alberta's most in-demand fields, including health and wellness.
And now, the need for skilled, confident health care professionals is greater than ever:
By 2051, one in five Albertans will be over 65, doubling the seniors’ population of 673,000 in 2022 to 1.39 million.
Between 2025 and 2033, Alberta will require more than 77,000 health-care professionals, and shortages will continue without new investments in training the health workforce.
In the face of record population growth, enrollment in health-related college programs in Alberta has remained stagnant at around 10,000 students per academic year over the past five years.
Bow Valley College has a long history of delivering health programming and innovation with deep, positive impacts for the health sector and health outcomes of Albertans. The college proposes a bold solution to the challenges facing our province: the Health Care Centre of Excellence, a campus expansion in downtown Calgary, which will develop the health profession talent pipeline Alberta needs.
“Our proposed college expansion will introduce state-of-the-art classrooms, specialized labs, accredited simulation centres, and innovative teaching and learning spaces. As you will expect, post-secondary graduates are the main driver of workforce growth in the health sector.”
Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO, Bow Valley College
Click on an icon to learn more about our development plan.
The Health Care Centre of Excellence will be a state-of-the-art learning hub expanding the College’s downtown campus.
The Health Care Centre of Excellence will enable enrollment growth in health and health-related programs from about 3,000 full load equivalents in 2024-25 to over 11,000 by 2035-36.
Importantly, the Health Care Centre of Excellence will expand Bow Valley College graduates moving into key health professions in Alberta from 750 today to 2,500 by 2033.
Bow Valley College offers some of the most sought-after and frequently over-prescribed health care sector programs in the province, including:
With 14 new health care program areas in the development pipeline now, and more to follow, critical labour gaps will be addressed to improve access to care.
Bow Valley’s Health Care Centre of Excellence will connect research, technology, innovation to and health care education and real-world care.
Bow Valley College already places students into clinical and work integrated learning settings in smaller communities and rural centres throughout Alberta. This engages students where they are based or where they would like to start their career. As we create the Health Care Centre of Excellence, we will expand these opportunities and level of rural engagement.
Our students and graduates are everywhere, not only in Calgary but in smaller and rural communities all over Alberta.
Diamond Valley, Chestermere, Strathmore, Airdrie, Banff
Cardston, Wetaskiwin, Bonnyville, High River, Banff
Airdrie, Olds, Fort MacMurray, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Athabasca, Lethbridge, Leduc, Grand Prairie, Banff, St. Albert, Hanna, Drumheller, Tofield
Canmore, Airdrie, Didsbury, High Level, Strathmore, Oyen, Cochrane, Olds, Okotoks, Lethbridge, Drumheller, Red Deer
Fort Saskatchewan, Didsbury, Sherwood Park, Okotoks
Diamond Valley
Chestermere
Strathmore
Airdrie
Banff
Cardston
Wetaskiwin
Bonnyville
High River
Banff
Olds
Red Deer
Medicine Hat
Fort MacMurray
Banff
Airdrie
Lethbridge
Athabasca
Leduc
Grand Prairie
St. Albert
Hanna
Tofield
Drumheller
Olds
Red Deer
Cochrane
Canmore
Airdrie
Okotoks
Strathmore
Lethbridge
Oyen
High Level
Didsbury
Drumheller
Sherwood Park
Fort Saskatchewan
Okotoks
Didsbury
“After graduation when I had my job. I found it easy to adapt in my job, because what they teach you during those practical sessions is exactly what you see when you get into the field.”
Irene Nyambod
School of Health and Wellness, Practical Nurse Diploma, 2022
Licensed Practical Nurse, Carewest, Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre
The Bow Valley College Health Care Centre of Excellence (HCCE) leverages innovation and unites excellence in education, research, workforce development, and technology to advance health care education and solutions that strengthen and respond to the needs of our communities.
For more information about the Bow Valley College Health Care Centre of Excellence, please contact:
Bow Valley College
345 - 6 Avenue SE,
Calgary, AB T2G 4V1
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday
+1 403-410-1400
1-866-428-2669 (toll free)