Our Focus
From the programs we offer to the services we provide, we focus on helping our students and the region’s businesses, industries and communities achieve success.
Established in 1973, Carlton Trail College offers in-depth, applied learning to provide post-secondary education and skills training, academic upgrading and essential skills courses, English Language Training, as well as industry and workforce development opportunities to individuals, businesses and organizations across east-central Saskatchewan.
With campuses in Humboldt, Watrous, Wynyard and Punnichy, along with classroom locations throughout the region, we’re committed to creating important academic, social and economic advantages for our students and those that employ them.
Changing Lives Through Learning
Our MissionCreating successful learning and development opportunities to foster individual, business and community growth
Our ValuesAccountable
Inclusive
Innovative
Respectful
Our Story
Regional community learning centres were the forerunners of what is known today as Saskatchewan’s college system.
In the early 1970s, the Saskatchewan government visualized a community development approach to education, seeking to establish a network of community centres of learning where local facilities, local instructors and local resources would be used to provide learning opportunities determined by the area’s residents.
The Humboldt area was selected as a learning centre and, through an initial ‘pilot project’ approach, had provincially-appointed representatives work with community members to nominate individuals for board representation, recommend the size of the region to be served and create volunteer groups to advise on learning programs.
When Saskatchewan’s Community Colleges Act was passed in 1973, the first four community colleges went into operation. Humboldt’s learning centre was one of these initial four colleges.
The original name, Carlton Trail Community College, was selected through a contest, with the winning entry tying the institution’s name to the region’s history. That is, during the latter days of Canada’s fur trade and the early days of settlement, the Carlton Trail was the only overland route west of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was an important transportation corridor for people, goods, services and information.
When the College started, it served approximately 34 communities north of the Yellowhead Highway, extending northeast to Pleasantdale and northwest to Wakaw. In the following years, our learning region expanded southward to include the Qu’Appelle Valley and areas surrounding Highway 35.
In 1987, the Saskatchewan government passed the Regional Colleges Act, which replaced the community college’s original, founding legislation. This change was done after a review of Saskatchewan’s regional community learning model recommended that the role of community colleges be significantly expanded. The new Act’s mandate and funding shifted to emphasize more educational and training programs for employment, with less of an emphasis on non-credit, community interest-type programming.
The College’s service area was also expanded following this change to reach northward to St. Brieux, eastward to Wadena, southward to Lumsden and westward to the outskirts of Saskatoon. Additional offices and learning locations were opened across the region to serve this larger area.
In 2017, the College officially opened the Four Winds Learning Centre, a former church that was purchased by Carlton Trail College and renovated into an adult-focused, inclusive and inter-cultural learning space. Since its opening, Four Winds Learning Centre continues to focus on supporting the cultural, academic, and personal success of students from the Touchwood Hills and surrounding area.
Today, the College serves over 100 small urban, rural and First Nation communities across east-central Saskatchewan. Administrative offices are maintained in Humboldt, Watrous, Wynyard and Punnichy, with classrooms and learning spaces secured in regional communities as the need arises.
Together with our communities and post-secondary partners, we continue to play a vital role in providing post-secondary and adult education and training opportunities to Saskatchewan residents.
Sources: The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan, Carlton Trail College Archives
