Statement issued jointly by Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and College of the North Atlantic.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and College of the North Atlantic (CNA) are taking Canadian expertise to the other side of the world, while bringing valuable international insights, resources and connections back to the college community.
In May 2026, Olds College delegates travelled to Mongolia for a two-week mission to begin work on the SkillShift-01 project, in partnership with Colleges & Institutes Canada (CICan), College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and the Mongolian Ministry of Education (MOE). SkillShift-01 is a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reform project supporting the development and implementation of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) across priority occupational areas, including Meat and Dairy Processing, Renewable Energy, Crop Agriculture and Agribusiness, Agriculture Equipment, and Veterinary Technician.
SkillShift-01 is part of a five-year, staggered approach initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and delivered by CICan and the Mongolian MOE, that brings together the leadership of Mongolian ministries and the expertise of Canadian colleges to create lasting reforms that will improve systems, expand opportunities and strengthen communities.
Olds College and CNA will leverage their combined expertise to form a consortium to co-develop the curriculum and assessments, strengthen quality assurance and prepare the system for broader national rollout for the duration of the project with Mongolia. By collaborating closely with CNA — a recognized leader in international development and TVET modernization — Olds College expands its global footprint, enhances institutional capacity in competency-based learning and reinforces its commitment to advancing agriculture for a better world.
“It was an incredible experience traveling to Mongolia and meeting with the Mongolian National Centre for Education Accreditation (MNCEA), Mongolian Employers' Federation (MONEF), Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and our TVET school partners to discuss this exciting new project,” says Chris Wharton, Director, Industry Training and Continuing Education (ITCE) at Olds College. “This is a fantastic opportunity for Olds College to partner with other strong institutions from across the globe and be involved in such an impactful initiative. The Mongolian people were so welcoming throughout our mission and showed us so much of what their beautiful country has to offer. Our Olds College team is greatly looking forward to the work ahead, and can’t wait to see the positive outcomes that come from a project of this magnitude.”
For communities across Mongolia, this partnership means access to practical, real-world training that opens doors to meaningful careers. Working alongside three regional TVET schools, the SkillShift-01 program will help to update classroom training and support local educators in key areas like agriculture, food production and renewable energy. The result is a better-prepared workforce that can drive local business growth, support food security and power sustainable development across Mongolia.
“CNA is proud to be part of this important partnership with Olds College and our colleagues in Mongolia,” says Elizabeth Vincent, Associate Vice President, International, at CNA. “SkillShift-01 is an opportunity to share Canadian expertise while learning from the experience, knowledge and priorities of our Mongolian partners. By working together to strengthen vocational education and training, we can help create programs that are responsive to the needs of learners, employers and communities. We look forward to building strong relationships throughout this project and contributing to a sustainable approach to skills development that will create opportunities for people across Mongolia.”
This fall, teams at Olds College and CNA will launch the first phase of this initiative as equal partners, working hand-in-hand with Mongolian ministries and local leaders. To lay a solid foundation, our joint teams will meet with national education and labour representatives to establish shared goals, understand existing regulations and review current training standards in priority occupational areas. This initial phase ensures all partners are fully aligned before starting work producing updated curriculum and bringing new training programs to local classrooms.
“This partnership represents a significant milestone in Olds College’s commitment to shaping the future of global industry training,” says Peter Mal, Vice President, Growth and Operations at Olds College. “By combining our agricultural and technological expertise with CNA’s proven track record in international content development, we are building a resilient foundation for TVET education in Mongolia. Looking ahead, this project not only expands our international reach, but also positions our institutions at the forefront of collaborative, high-impact global workforce development.”