ASET opens career development opportunities for Strathmore tradespersons
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) has opened an opportunity for Alberta tradespersons to pursue new career avenues through their Certified Technician (CTech) designation.
The tradesperson to CTech pathway program is designed to enable a journeyperson, including those who are Red Seal certified, to apply for and earn a CTech designation.
This will serve as an avenue to attain a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) designation, which ASET described as being the “gold standard” designation within a tradesperson’s respective profession.
Typical activities of a CTech may include testing, troubleshooting, inspection, calibration, design drafting, quality control, maintenance, modeling, data compilation, estimating, sales, surveying, field supervision, technical sales, and teaching.
A CTech may perform routine technical procedures with occasional direct supervision and may assume limited responsibility for decision making processes.
There are 33 ASET members who reside within Strathmore. Among them, Ken Oliphant, CET, has been a member since 2007, having joined following his arrival in Canada from the UK.
“Initially, it gave me the opportunity to attain industry recognized accreditation for my UK qualifications and knowledge. My membership allowed me to enhance my capabilities and widen my academic and industry networks,” he said. “In 2007, I spoke with ASET to have my UK qualifications recognized. They agreed it was possible and had me complete an industry ethics exam, which I passed. I then had to complete a designated period of time in Alberta within a technologist role. Once all those steps were successfully completed, I was given the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) designation.”
Oliphant recommended the acquisition of an ASET designation to any journeyperson, tradesperson, and engineering technology professional, as he said it is widely recognized within Alberta.
“It shows an employer a willingness to constantly grow and evolve as a professional, which can only benefit the workplace and/or organization,” he said. “ASET insists upon the highest standards being upheld by its members. That can only benefit day-to-day activities in and around Strathmore, including in the area of public safety. Knowledge of what is going on in other areas of Alberta ensures that Strathmore remains aligned with other parts of the province.”
Throughout Alberta, there are more than 50 designated trades which span a host of various industries, including mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, service, and construction.
A list of journeyman programs which are eligible for the tradesperson to CTech pathway program has been made available through the ASET website.
“ASET introduced the tradesperson to CTech pathway program to reduce barriers to certification and employment opportunities for applicants who may have experience in applied science, information or engineering technology disciplines within their designated trade,” said Melanie Leaf, ASET registrar and director of practice.