Lethbridge College’s Civil Engineering Technology program has been granted a national program accreditation by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC). The accreditation means graduating students will now have more advantages to begin their careers, earn higher wages and have flexibility to work anywhere in Canada.
The accreditation of the Civil Engineering Technology program means that all three programs in the college’s School of Engineering Technologies have now received TAC accreditation. The Engineering Design and Drafting program was accredited in October 2019, while the Geomatics Engineering Technology program earned its accreditation in April 2019.
“The Civil Engineering Technology program accreditation marks the third program accredited at Lethbridge College,” says Richard Stamper, TAC Executive Director. “We congratulate the college on this significant achievement as it demonstrates a commitment to its students, delivering a program that meets the current standards of the engineering technology and applied science profession.”
National program accreditation involves a comprehensive audit, including a review of institutional and program information; interviews with employers of graduates, alumni, students and faculty; and a tour of the program’s labs and student support services. Among the highlights noted by the audit team in Lethbridge College’s Civil Engineering Technology program were:
- the breadth of the curriculum, which provides graduates with employment opportunities in various industry sectors;
- the program’s extremely strong connection to industry, evidenced by a partnership with an equipment supplier that provides students with training on the latest equipment;
- and unique initiatives such as Industry Night, field trips and guest speakers that offer students important industry exposure and networking opportunities.
“Many of our students are hired by engineering, construction and materials testing firms, which recognize the value of this type of certification,” says Bill Smienk, chair of Lethbridge College’s School of Engineering Technologies. “We currently have many successful graduates in excellent careers as project managers involved in various infrastructure projects all over western Canada and beyond. The TAC seal of approval validates the excellent educational experience of our students, recognizes the program has met the standards of the profession and that graduates have the knowledge and skills to function competently in the workforce.”
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.
About TAC
Through accreditation, TAC is committed to partnering with educational institutions to ensure students receive the highest quality education that 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 Civil Engineering Technology, Engineering Design and Drafting Technology, and Geomatics Engineering Technology. To learn more about programming at Lethbridge College, visit lethpolytech.ca.