Olds College Suspends Craft Brewing Program Following Enrollment Challenges
Olds College has announced the suspension of its Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations program, a decision that marks the end of an era for Alberta's only post-secondary brewing education offering. The college confirmed the program's closure on Friday, citing persistently low enrollment numbers as the primary factor behind this difficult choice.
Program History and Current Status
The brewmaster's program at Olds College has been operating since 2013, establishing itself as a unique educational pathway within Alberta's agricultural and culinary landscape. According to official statements from the institution, student intake for the program was initially suspended in February of last year due to declining enrollment levels. This temporary measure has now become permanent with the complete suspension of the program.
Current students enrolled in the program will be able to complete their studies and graduate this year, with courses scheduled to conclude in April. The college's brewery facility will remain operational until June 2026 to support these remaining students through their practical training requirements.
Industry Context and College Response
College administrators directly linked the program's challenges to broader trends within the craft beer industry. "The craft beer industry has seen a downturn over the last few years, which has been reflected in student interest in the program," explained the college in their official announcement. This industry shift has created a ripple effect that ultimately impacted the viability of maintaining the specialized brewing program.
Dennis Beaudoin, dean of Olds College's School of Trades and Skills, expressed regret about the decision while emphasizing its necessity. "After carefully weighing enrolment trends and the needs of our workforce, this decision is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability, strength and focus of Olds College," Beaudoin stated. "We remain committed to growing programming at Olds College, specifically in Alberta's agricultural industry to address the skilled labour shortage."
Impact on Staff and Community
The program suspension will directly affect nine staff members at Olds College, according to the college's Friday announcement. Dalin Bullock, the school's vice president of academic affairs, acknowledged the emotional weight of this decision for the college community. "We do not overlook the impact this closure has on our community and the pride we took in our brewery," Bullock said. "We thank everyone who has supported this program and the brewery over the past 13 years. Our focus at the College right now is supporting everyone during this transition."
Continuing Education and Industry Perspective
Despite the suspension of the main brewing program, Olds College will continue offering two continuing education courses related to the craft beverage industry:
- Introduction to Craft Beverages and Brewing
- Craft Distilling
The college indicated it is "exploring opportunities" to better serve students interested in the industry through alternative educational pathways. This approach suggests the institution remains committed to beverage education despite the specific program's closure.
Blair Berdusco, executive director of the Alberta Small Brewers Association (ASBA), provided context about the provincial brewing landscape. While other Canadian provinces have experienced more craft brewery closures than openings recently, Alberta's industry has demonstrated relative stability. "In Alberta, we are at a point of maturity within the industry where we have a similar number of openings and closings for breweries, and a lot of our breweries are increasing their production capacity as well," Berdusco explained.
This industry perspective highlights the complex relationship between educational programming and market realities, where even stable industries may not generate sufficient student interest to sustain specialized post-secondary programs.
