Flexible, local programs
You have goals. We can help you achieve them. Bow Valley College provides training that gets you ready for the work force. Our Strathmore Campus offers a variety of credit and non-credit programs. Upgrade your skills, start a new career path, or finish high school. Right here in your community.
Below you can find information on all our resources. Use the links to jump to the section you are interested in:
- Employee Edge Business & Computer Training
- Strathmore Entrepreneur Centre
- Practical Nurse Diploma (5 Term)
- GED Preparation
- Upgrading Programs
- English Language Classes
- Canadian Language Benchmark Testing
- Community Collaboration
- Our Campus locations
Employee Edge Business & Computer Training
In today’s job market, the deciding factor for employers often comes down to a candidates’ ideal mix of technical and soft skills. Take one or all of the courses and workshops below…and get the EDGE.
All courses are offered through the Strathmore Campus with a blend of scheduled (live stream) online delivery methods. Registration closes 24-48 hours before the course starts, or sooner if the course is full. Register for each course individually using the links below and choose the Strathmore location to secure your seat. Courses may be used toward several Bow Valley College Continuing Education Certificates.
Financial Accounting – Intermediate (ACCT 9102)
April 28 – June 11, 2020 – Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Budgets and Financial Reports (ACCT 9201)
June 16– July 30, 2020 – Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Strathmore Entrepreneur Centre
At the Strathmore Entrepreneur Centre and the Bow Valley College Campus, we believe great business ideas are worth exploring. We provide aspiring and seasoned business owners the opportunity to strategize, sustain, and succeed in competitive markets with community access to collaborative spaces, unparalleled access to resources, and exceptional faculty and influencers who are leaders in their field.
Upcoming Programs/Workshops/Events
Virtual business cafe
7:30 – 9:00 AM | Last Wednesday of the month
March 25 | April 1, 8, 22, 29 | May 27 | June 24
Click here for more information and to register
WHY: Businesses in the community and region are disconnected and many are struggling in a variety of ways. There is a desire to connect in meaningful ways with other entrepreneurs to address common challenges and work together for success. The conversations revolve around how businesses are coping at this time and what things are needed in the short/long term to keep operating.
WHAT: The Business Café is a monthly event hosted by the Strathmore Entrepreneur Centre to engage business owners, entrepreneurs, community activators, change makers and thought leaders in conversations around developing a thriving business community in the region.
WHO: Business owners, entrepreneurs, community activators, change makers and thought leaders desiring to authentically connect with one another for positive change.
HOW: Using seven design principles and a simple method, the World Café is a powerful social technology for engaging people in conversations that matter, offering an effective antidote to the fast-paced fragmentation and lack of connection in today’s world. Based on the understanding that conversation is the core process that drives personal, business, and organizational life, the World Café is more than a method, a process, or technique – it’s a way of thinking and being together sourced in a philosophy of conversational leadership.
Digital communications in the age of COVID-19 (webinar)
In the era of physical distancing, communicating with customers has taken on a whole new importance – and challenge. Customers we previously interacted with in-person have moved online, and now all communication must flow through digital channels.
Join Mhairi Petrovic, founder of Out-Smarts Marketing and social media/e-mail marketing instructor, and learn the key steps you need to consider when creating your new strategy.
Tuesday, April 7 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
FREE
Managing cash flow in crisis (webinar)
Mark Shields, Business Link Strategist, will discuss ways to balance your cash flow in an effort to reduce damage to your business in times of crisis. His presentation will follow with a question and answer session.
Wednesday, April 8 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
FREE
A guide to successful email marketing for small business (webinar)
Email marketing is one of the best investments a small business can make. It’s easy and cost effective to set up, drives conversions and delivers your message directly to your subscribers. Understand the steps to plan an effective email marketing strategy, to build campaigns that engage your target audience via their inbox, and to ultimately grow your business.
Tuesday, April 21 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
FREE
How to dominate the first page of Google without paying for ads (webinar)
When more than 90% of customers use search engines like Google when making buying decisions and 40% of searches on Google have a local intent, it is clear that customers want to find the specific product or service in their local area!
Join Bassem Ghali, Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner and CEO of Green Lotus Digital Marketing Firm, to learn if search engine optimization is a necessity for any online marketing strategy. This SEO session is designed for business owners and marketing specialists who want the knowledge, skills, and ability to implement and manage a successful search engine optimization strategy, and track results!
This online session will be delivered virtually from Toronto. Login details will be provided via email closer to the event date.
Thursday, April 23 | 10:00 am – 11:30 am
FREE
Develop a business idea of pivot your business model using the Business Model Canvas (presented by Business Link)
Ever wondered what it takes to get a business off the ground? Learn how to utilize the Business Model Canvas to develop your idea or transform an existing one. In this workshop, you will learn how to use this visual chart to describe, design, challenge and pivot your business model.
Thursday, April 30 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
FREE + optional Ask A Business Advisor appointments after the session
Business finance and tax: Introduction
Finance and tax topics can often seem like another language but understanding them is necessary to the success of your business. This workshop is appropriate for those who are new to small business finance and tax topics or those who desire to brush up on their knowledge.
Key takeaways include:
-The advantages and disadvantages of each type of business structure from a financial and tax perspective
-Tax tips for small business (sole proprietors and incorporated companies)
-Appropriate business expenses - what is considered reasonable to the CRA including recordkeeping requirements
-The impact your expenses have on cash flow
-Basic bookkeeping best practices including a month-end processes checklist
-Programs (QuickBooks and others) available to use
-Understanding financial statements – decipher balance sheets, interpret income statements
-When to invest in support from a consultant or accountant (and ensure you get an ROI)
Tuesday, May 12 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
FREE
Click here to register
Business finance and tax: Intermediate
Finance and tax topics can often seem like another language but understanding them is necessary to the success of your business. This workshop is appropriate for owners who have some experience with finance and tax and are interested to take the next steps in your business. Those who have completed our “Business Finance and Tax: Introduction” seminar may also be interested to continue with these intermediate topics.
Key takeaways include:
-Tax audit survival guide
-Tax strategy
-Cash flow forecasting – how to forecast your monthly cash flows, the real causes of cash flow problems, and key financial metrics to monitor
-Financial elements of a growth business plan – evaluate whether your growth plans make sense financially
-When to invest in support from a consultant or accountant (and ensure you get an ROI)
Tuesday, May 26 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
FREE
Click here to register
Practical Nurse Diploma (5 Term) - January 2021 (Application open date pending)
There are many opportunities to use skills as a Practical Nurse, including child care, maternity nursing, community health, mental wellness, seniors care, and medicine. The Practical Nurse Diploma program is recognized and popular program for prospective health care providers.
Please contact the Strathmore Campus at 403-983-1221 or bvcstrathmore@bowvalleycollege.ca for more details about the next intake.
Please note that you must be a resident of Strathmore or the surrounding rural community; we do not accept applicants from Calgary.
GED Preparation
Get the skills to challenge the official GED tests. When you pass these tests, you will earn a High School Equivalency Diploma. GED Prep is offered in a virtual classroom through the Strathmore Campus, and the GED official exams are written at the downtown Calgary Campus.
When registering for the courses below, please choose the Strathmore Location:
GEDP9201 General Educational Development (GED) Preparation - English
April 28, 2020 - May 28, 2020 | Tuesday/Thursdays 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
GEDP9301 General Educational Development (GED) Preparation - Math
June 2, 2020 - July 9, 2020 | Tuesday/Thursdays 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Upgrading Programs
High School-Anytime Online Learning (ATOL) offers a flexible opportunity to take the courses you need to further your education. Online Bow Valley College students can book space to work on their courses and write their exams at the Strathmore Campus. Please contact us for more details.
English Language Classes
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
LINC online
Permanent residents and Convention refugees are eligible for this course.
Please contact the Strathmore Campus for more information or to register for this class.
Canadian Language Benchmark Testing
Bow Valley College partners with ILVARC and the Government of Canada to offer Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) testing at the Strathmore Campus.
CLB testing is available at 9:00 am, 11:00 am or 1:00 pm.
Please contact the Strathmore Campus to inquire about next available dates and book your CLB testing time.
Community Collaboration
Bow Valley College in Strathmore is pleased to work with other local organizations to support community initiatives.
Please contact the campus with any education requests, whether for yourself, your organization or your business. We would love to hear what our community wants to learn!
Campus Location
#1 320 2 Street
Strathmore, AB T1P 1K3
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Phone: (403) 983-1221
Email: bvcstrathmore@bowvalleycollege.ca
Have a question? Want to apply? Call, email, or visit the campus!
