What Great Plains College does

Great Plains College is a publicly-funded regional college operating as part of the Saskatchewan provincial Regional College system, headquartered in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The institution delivers post-secondary education across six campuses (Swift Current, Biggar, Kindersley, Maple Creek, Warman, and Martensville) serving a region of approximately 115,000 people spread over more than 100,000 square kilometres. It enrolls roughly 400 full-time and 4,600 part-time and casual students annually across trades, healthcare, business, adult upgrading, and English language programs, with approximately 120 staff.

The college's core products are certificate and diploma programs including Heavy Equipment Operator, Practical Nursing, Continuing Care Assistant, Welding, Power Engineering, Electrician, Early Childhood Education, Business Management, Youth Care Worker, and Administrative Skills, along with newer healthcare offerings (Primary Care Paramedic launching December 2026 in Warman; CCA in Maple Creek from August 2026). The technology backbone is a multi-campus Moodle learning management system with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams) integration and a student portal (myGPC); the platform is conventional rather than differentiated. Programs are delivered primarily in-person at campus locations, with the Moodle LMS supporting course materials, assessment, and online application workflows.

Revenue is generated through a combination of provincial government grants (the dominant stream, as a government-funded institution), tuition and program fees (e.g., $9,995 for Heavy Equipment Operator, $4,345 for Administrative Skills), ancillary safety training courses, and modest donations and fundraising (approximately $48,000 raised at the 14th annual Carhartts & Caviar Welding Showcase in March 2026). The college recruits domestic students directly through website applications, student advising, community events, and campus open houses, while international student recruitment is coordinated through the Saskatchewan Colleges Partnership. Brad Mahon has led the college as President and CEO since 2022 and is departing in August 2026 for a role at Assiniboine College.

Name

Great Plains College

Legal name

Great Plains College

Website

https://greatplainscollege.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Great Plains College is a publicly-funded Saskatchewan regional college operating six campuses across western Saskatchewan, delivering trades, healthcare, business, and adult education programs to roughly 5,000 students annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Post-Secondary Vocational Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Junior Colleges (61121), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adult High School Diploma Completion Programs (EDAAABAB), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Post-secondary education
• Vocational training programs
• Trades and technical training
• Healthcare education programs
• Adult basic education

Headquarters

HQ city

Swift Current

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from tuition fees for certificate and diploma programs including college trades, university transfer, healthcare, business, and technical programs. Programs like Heavy Equipment Operator ($9,995), Administrative Skills ($4,345 domestic), and Practical Nursing generate fee-based revenue from students. Additional revenue from application fees, student fees, and safety training course fees.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Annual fundraising events and donor contributions support scholarships and program enhancements. The 14th annual Carhartts & Caviar Welding Showcase and Auction raised a record $48,000, with nearly $400,000 raised over the event's 14-year history.
3. Safety Training Courses: Standalone safety training courses including SCOT (Saskatchewan Construction Safety Orientation), Ground Disturbance, Fall Protection, First Aid/CPR/AED, and Fire Extinguisher Training offered as continuing education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Great Plains College delivers post-secondary certificate and diploma programs across six western Saskatchewan campuses, including trades training (Heavy Equipment Operator, Welding, Electrician, Fourth and Third Class Power Engineering), healthcare programs (Practical Nursing, Continuing Care Assistant, Primary Care Paramedic), business and administrative training, youth care, early childhood education, adult basic education/Grade 12 upgrading, and English language training. Programs are primarily delivered in-person at campus locations with Moodle LMS support for course materials, assessment, and online application.

Product overview

Great Plains College is a Saskatchewan regional college offering a diverse portfolio of vocational, trades, healthcare, and business education programs. The institution operates as a single unified educational service provider with multiple campuses (Biggar, Kindersley, Maple Creek, Martensville, Swift Current, Warman, and Warman Campus North) delivering programs both in-person and through its Moodle learning management system. The core offerings include Heavy Equipment Operator certification, Administrative Assistant training, Practical Nursing, Continuing Care Assistant, Welding, Power Engineering, Electrician, Early Childhood Education, and Business Management programs. The college recently expanded its healthcare offerings with new Primary Care Paramedic and Continuing Care Assistant programs launching in 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Program A 6-week full-time certification program training students to operate heavy construction equipment including excavators, dozers, front-end loaders, and rock trucks. Students earn Powered Mobile Equipment (PME) certification on three pieces of equipment along with industry safety certifications (SCOT, Ground Disturbance, Fall Protection, First Aid/CPR/AED). Tuition is $9,995 inclusive of all costs, books, and safety tickets. Targeted at students seeking skilled trades careers in construction, energy, and resource sectors.
• Administrative Skills Program Certificate program training students in office procedures, business communication, document production, record keeping, and customer service using Microsoft Suite and cloud-based tools. Available full-time and part-time at multiple campuses. Domestic tuition $4,345 with scholarship eligibility. Targeted at students seeking administrative careers across oilfield, banking, healthcare, and sports industries.
• Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) Multi-campus learning management system serving as the primary digital platform for course delivery, student enrollment, grade tracking, and online learning across all Great Plains College campuses. Provides GPC Student Moodle access linked to student email and Outlook for course materials, assessments, and Microsoft Teams collaboration.
• Welding Program Comprehensive welding certification program covering Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, oxy-acetylene welding, and fabrication. Includes shop projects and quality assurance training, supported by industry partners such as Western Canada Welding Products Ltd.
• Practical Nursing Program Comprehensive nursing education program offered at multiple campuses (Biggar, Kindersley, Swift Current, Warman) spanning 5 semesters covering anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, clinical practice, and professional nursing skills.
• Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Program Certificate program training students in caregiving skills including personal care, dementia care, special needs support, and end-of-life care. Offered full-time and part-time at multiple campuses, including a new full-time cohort launched in Maple Creek in August 2026.
• Power Engineering Programs Fourth Class and Third Class Power Engineering certification programs covering boiler systems, thermodynamics, refrigeration, pumps, compressors, instrumentation, and plant operations. Offered at Swift Current and Kindersley campuses.
• Electrician Program Electrical trades training covering wiring methods, circuit analysis, electrical theory, safety, and practical skills. Offered at Biggar and Swift Current campuses.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate and diploma program training students in child development, programming for cognitive and language development, observation techniques, child guidance, and early childhood education practices. Offered at Warman campus.
• Business Management Programs Business certificate and diploma programs covering accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, project management, human resources, and organizational behavior. Offered at Warman and Swift Current campuses.
• Youth Care Worker Program Certificate program training students in youth care practices including behavior supports, therapeutic activities, addictions counseling, crisis prevention, family systems, and practicum experience. Offered at Warman campus.
• Primary Care Paramedic Program Full-time Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) certification program announced for Warman Campus with first cohort beginning December 2026, expanding the college's healthcare training offerings. Includes clinical practice and theoretical components delivered through Moodle LMS at Swift Current Campus.
• Adult Basic Education Program Adult basic education offerings for upgrading employment skills or working toward CAEC (Grade 12 equivalency), available at Biggar, Kindersley, Maple Creek, and Warman campuses. Targeted at adults seeking to complete high school equivalency or prepare for further post-secondary education.
• English Language Training English language training programs including Language for Health Care Aide and general English language programs offered at Martensville campus. Includes a dedicated English for Newcomers application pathway. Targeted at international students and newcomers needing English proficiency for further study or employment.
• Safety Training Courses Standalone safety training courses including SCOT (Saskatchewan Construction Safety Orientation), Ground Disturbance, Fall Protection, First Aid/CPR/AED, and Fire Extinguisher Training offered as continuing education. Course calendar available online with self-serve registration.
• Agriculture Science Certificate Agriculture Science Certificate program offered starting October, providing credentialed agricultural science training for students pursuing careers in the agriculture sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates prepared for employment across multiple sectors including construction, energy, agriculture, and healthcare
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Western Canada Welding Products Ltd.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 March 2026Presenting sponsor of the 14th annual Carhartts & Caviar Welding Showcase and Auction. The event showcased student welding projects and raised $48,000 for scholarships and program improvements. Company provides ongoing support for welding program and student projects.
• City of Swift CurrentminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 March 2026Hospitality sponsor for the annual Carhartts & Caviar Welding Showcase and Auction event. Supports college fundraising and community engagement activities.
• Swift Current Broncos Education FundminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 March 2026Recipient of half proceeds ($750) from commemorative Broncos Wall Art auction piece at Carhartts & Caviar event. Demonstrates community partnership and hometown pride.
• Assiniboine Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Credit-granting institute for Administrative Skills program. Students can earn credentials recognized across the college system.
• Saskatchewan Regional College SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreat Plains College is one of several Saskatchewan colleges in the provincial Regional College system. The system provides standardized credential frameworks, credit transfer agreements, and coordinated international student recruitment through Saskatchewan Colleges Partnership.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Red River College Polytechnic: Manitoba's largest polytechnic institution offering trades, health, business, and technology programs across multiple campuses — comparable as a larger-scale public Canadian college serving overlapping labor markets.
• Olds College: Alberta-based specialized institution with strong agriculture and trades programming; comparable in trades/industry focus and Western Canadian rural postsecondary positioning, but with a more specialized agricultural mandate.
• NAIT: Edmonton-based polytechnic offering trades, health, and technology programs — comparable as a Western Canadian public institution with overlapping trades and applied education offerings, though at materially larger scale.
• SAIT: Calgary-based polytechnic with extensive trades, energy, and technology programs — comparable in trades/energy training focus and Western Canadian positioning, but operating at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Saskatchewan Polytechnic: Saskatchewan's primary public postsecondary institution offering certificate, diploma, and degree programs in trades, health, business, and technology — directly comparable as a provincial public college serving overlapping labor markets.
• Assiniboine Community College: Manitoba-based community college delivering trades, agriculture, health, and business programs across multiple campuses. Directly comparable as a Western Canadian regional college; also an existing partner of Great Plains College (credit-granting institute).
• Cumberland College: Saskatchewan regional college within the same provincial system serving northeastern Saskatchewan with trades, adult education, and health programs — directly comparable as a peer regional college.
• Lakeland College: Alberta-based public college with strong trades, agriculture, and energy technology programs across two campuses — comparable as a Western Canadian regional college with similar trades/industry alignment.
• Parkland College: Saskatchewan regional college within the same provincial system, offering trades, health, adult basic education, and university transfer programs across east-central Saskatchewan — directly comparable as a peer regional college.
• North West College: Saskatchewan regional college within the same provincial system serving the northwest region with trades, health, and adult basic education — directly comparable as a peer regional college.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GreatPlainsCollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Great Plains College