Town of Coaldale welcomes high school students for EPIC Day career exploration initiative

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Sunny South News

Town of Coaldale

On Wednesday, April 22, the Town of Coaldale welcomed 41 high school students to Civic Square as part of EPIC Day 2026, an annual career exploration initiative that introduces young people to a wide range of industries, occupations, and future career pathways.

Short for Exploring Possible Industries & Careers Day, EPIC Day brings together high school students, employers, organizations, and community partners from across southwestern Alberta.

During their visit to Civic Square, the students participated in a career speed dating activity designed to introduce them to the many roles that support municipal government.

Through hands-on experiences, direct interaction with professionals, and exposure to different workplaces and sectors, the initiative helps young people broaden their understanding of the career possibilities available to them.

During their visit to Civic Square, students from Coaldale Prairie Winds Secondary School and Warner School participated in a career speed dating activity that gave them the opportunity to meet directly with the Town’s elected officials and municipal staff. Through a series of short, six-minute conversations, students learned more about the work being done across the organization,

the career paths that led Town of Coaldale employees into their current roles, and the wide range of skills and experience required to help a community like Coaldale function and grow.

“EPIC Day is an important reminder that career exploration is most meaningful when young people can connect directly with people in the workforce and hear firsthand how different career paths take shape,” said Town of Coaldale Mayor, Jack Van Rijn. “We were very pleased to welcome these students to Civic Square and to show them that a municipality like Coaldale depends on many different skills, professions, and areas of expertise to serve the community well.”