Lethbridge College’s Geomatics Engineering Technology program has received national recognition. On Thursday, the Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) presented faculty with a certificate that signifies the program has been nationally accredited.
To earn the accreditation, an independent team performed an extensive audit of the program, including interviews with employers of graduates, alumni, students and faculty, to determine whether it meets the educational standards of Canada’s engineering technology and applied science profession.
“This accreditation is important for our students to know that when they come to Lethbridge College they are receiving high quality education that meets the needs of industry,” says Bill Smienk, chair of Lethbridge College’s School of Engineering Technologies. “There are excellent job opportunities in this field and this acknowledgement from TAC should give our students the confidence that our program will give them the hands-on education they need to be sought after to fill those careers.”
The accreditation process highlighted a variety of areas where Lethbridge College specializes in supporting student success. The report says students have access to highly engaged faculty and an extensive suite of services, including the Learning Café, that provides tutoring and exam preparation, and physical and mental health resources. The audit also revealed a strong connection to industry with an industry night, a Facebook page with job opportunity postings and company presentations.
“We congratulate Lethbridge College, the administration and faculty of the Geomatics Engineering Technology program for this significant achievement,” says Richard Stamper, TAC executive director. “By meeting the standards of the engineering technology and applied science profession, this program has clearly demonstrated its leadership and commitment to its students and industry.”
Additionally, accreditation provides an expedited path to professional certification through the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta and other provincial engineering technology and applied science associations across Canada.
Geomatics engineering is an in-demand career that brings together surveying and mapping. It involves acquiring and analyzing spatial data though popular technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite image analysis.
Lethbridge College’s geomatics graduates go on to work across western Canada. There is a strong demand for skilled graduates and many students in Lethbridge College’s program have multiple job offers before graduation. The program still has seats open for Fall 2019 and applications are now open. Visit lethpolytech.ca/geomatics to apply or for more information.
About TAC
Through accreditation, TAC is committed to partnering with educational institutions to ensure students receive the highest quality education which meets the standards of Canada’s engineering technology and applied science profession. For more information about TAC or how to apply for accreditation, please visit technologyaccreditation.ca.
About Lethbridge College
Located in Lethbridge, Alta., Lethbridge College provides high-quality, relevant education to more than 5,100 students in more than 50 applied degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs. Lethbridge College has offered engineering technology education since 1964. Its School of Engineering Technologies houses three engineering technology programs, including Engineering Design and Drafting Technology, Civil Engineering Technology and Geomatics Engineering Technology. To learn more about programming at Lethbridge College, visit lethpolytech.ca.
LISTEN: Bill Smienk and Richard Stamper discuss Lethbridge College's Geomatics Engineering Technology program receiving national accreditation: