Good news if you are a Canada Armed Forces Reservists and still want to get a post-secondary education here in Alberta.

Red Deer College joined a list of 12 other institutions in signing a memorandum of understanding supporting those who want to enlist.

The understanding guarantees a reservist's job or studies will be waiting for them when they get back if they get called into duty.

President and CEO of RDC Joel Ward says it's something they were proud to sign, as Reservists play an important role in helping all Canadians, and not just in times of war.

“They serve not only in combat missions but they also serve in civil emergencies, like fires, remember the ice storms in Quebec, or floods. So Reservists are a big part of the Canadian Armed Forces and they typically are your neighbours and people who work with you, or in our case students who come to our institutions, so we believe anything we can do to support them and make sure they are not disadvantaged is a benefit to all Albertans.”

Maria Anderson is one of RDC’s Technician Parts Instructors and has previously been granted leave by RDC to fulfill her duties as a Reservist.

“I am grateful to have an employer who encourages my career in the Canadian Army Reserves, knowing that I am supported if I have an opportunity for military training allows me to grow professionally and personally, in ways that benefit my whole community.”

Of the approximately 90,000 dedicated men and women serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, 26,000 are reservists, with students making up about 30% of those.

Other institutions that also signed the memorandum include the Alberta Academy of Art and Design, Bow Valley College, Grande Prairie Regional College, Keyano College, Lakeland College, Lethbridge College, Medicine Hat College, Norquest College, Northern Lakes College, Olds College, and Portage College.