After over three decades away, Heather Siebel has returned home as the new guiding hand of the Stettler Learning Centre.
Siebel moved away from the community 35 years ago, and after earning an arts and education degree spent two decades working in Alberta’s oil and gas sector.
After a significant amount of project-based remote work during the pandemic, Siebel decided it was time for a change and applied for the executive director position at the Stettler Learning Centre, a position which would allow her to return to her home community.
“My parents are still here,” said Siebel, noting that it’s “really nice” to still have those connections.
While she attended a few meetings prior, Siebel’s first day on the job was Feb. 21, right after the Family Day long weekend.
Since then she has been familiarizing herself with the team and the services the learning centre provides.
“The biggest challenge is letting people know what we do,” Siebel said.
“Our communities are only as vibrant as the opportunities available for young people.”
One opportunity the centre has is thanks to the development of strong partnerships through Olds College and Red Deer Polytechnic, partnerships which allow local students to take courses from those schools while remaining close to home.
Another connection Siebel is hoping to development is with the Stettler Regional Board of Trade to find out what businesses in town want and need for education opportunities.
Other connections the learning centre is actively working on, according to Siebel, is the development of rural partnerships with some of the county communities. So far courses have already run in Donalda and others are scheduled to run in both Big Valley and Byemoor in the coming weeks.
“It’s the same kind of training as you would get in Stettler,” said Siebel.
“I think relationship building is key to this role.”
As for the team she works with, Siebel says the team is “amazing” and her job is to “support them and get out of the way.”
“People will always give you more than you expect when you do that.”
After being away from the community for as long as she has, some things have changed; however, Siebel says that quite a few things haven’t which was one of the draws for her coming back.
Siebel notes that the “community spirit” is still alive and well, as is the arts scene through groups like Stettler Variety Showcase, Wildcat Theatre, and Heartland Arts Troupe Society. Something else she noted was the “entrepreneurial-ship of young women” in the community, something the learning centre is bolstering through a business development program.
The Stettler Learning Centre offers a variety of courses ranging from GED prep, numeracy, literacy, basic computer skills, nursing — through the partnerships — and a wide range of tutoring services.
Whether someone just wants to brush up on their skills, is new to Canada looking for a place to build their English skills, or falls anywhere in between, the Stettler Learning Centre likely has a program to suit your needs.
For a full listing of programs, check out www.stettlerlearning.com.
