A Sylvan Lake step-dad and daughter duo have entered college together. 

Both Cory Christopherson and Taylor Resendes are in the Advanced Care Paramedic Program at Portage College in Lac La Biche. 

Christopherson, who was a journeyman auto technician for the last 20 years, learned about the program at Portage College through recommendations by friends and from his stepdaughter, who worked as an ER nurse before taking the program. 

"We鈥檝e heard this is one of the best schools in Western Canada,鈥� Christopherson said. 

"The program has such a good reputation compared to other schools. So, it wasn鈥檛 a hard decision that way. I work in the ER and get lots of paramedic students coming in, and you know what school they come from just based off their skillset and the way they are organized,鈥� Resendes said.

Christopherson has plans on using his training to find work in the industrial or commercial sector. 

Currently, he is using his PCP training as a casual member of an ambulance company in the Sylvan Lake area. 

However, after graduating from the ACP program in 2027 there are tons of opportunities available, he said. 

"I see tons of options out there right now. There are integrated fire services that are taking ACPs and there are lots of oilfield companies looking. Depending on where someone wants to go there鈥檚 a lot of different opportunities, a lot of different directions." 

Thanks to the blended format of the ACP program the step-dad and daughter duo have been able to continue working as they study. 

"I like school, I like learning, so I put that as a priority 鈥� and I fit other things around it when I can,鈥� Renendes said.

"Right now, it鈥檚 about getting the schooling done and paying attention to that,鈥� Christopherson added. 

"It鈥檚 nice coming to a smaller location. It gets us out of our regular environment and gets us focused. We are here to get the best education.鈥�