(Red Deer College)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Meeting High Standards

RDC’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program receives national accreditation

Oct 6, 2020 | 4:14 PM

Officials with Red Deer College (RDC) have announced that national accreditation has been received for its Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) Diploma program.

The recognition from Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) comes with the program meeting the high standards of the engineering technology and applied science profession.

College officials say an independent audit team evaluated and measured all of the elements within RDC’s two-year MET Diploma against the standards in the National Accreditation Components and found that RDC’s programming successfully met the learning outcomes in the Canadian Technology Accreditation Criteria (CTAC).

This positive news follows the announcement of the College’s Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program’s accreditation in June, further emphasizing the value of the nationally recognized academic and practical experiences that these diplomas provide for learners in central Alberta.

The accreditation is also said to reflect Red Deer College’s commitment to excellence in education with its ability to prepare students for highly technical and evolving careers, expanding RDC graduates’ employment opportunities and earning potential.

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“We are delighted that Red Deer College has joined the ranks of TAC-accredited institutions. As one of the original founders and developers of TAC, the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) is pleased to see the positive, local impact of a single, national accreditation body on technology education across the province and country,” says ASET CEO Barry Cavanaugh, in a press release.

“ASET proudly counts RDC graduates amongst the ranks of our certified technicians and technologists,” adds Cavanaugh. “Formal recognition of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program ensures that more will follow as MET students now have a direct route to their professional designations. Our warmest congratulations to the program’s Associate Dean, Dale Gust, and his fine team for completing the accreditation process.”

Described as combining theory and hands-on training, RDC’s MET Diploma aims to prepare learners for a range of promising careers in the manufacturing, petroleum, and infrastructure design sectors.

While developing their skillsets, students gain knowledge and practical experience in a collection of industry relevant topics, including robotics, solid mechanics, thermal-fluid sciences, kinematics, and lean and computer integrated manufacturing, and reliability.

“RDC is committed to TAC accreditation for our Engineering Technology programs because of what it means for our students and our industry partners,” says Joel Gingrich, Dean of Trades and Technologies. “Accreditation affirms the national-class quality of our program, students’ learning experiences, excellent facilities, and faculty expertise, each of which we are extremely proud.”

The abundance of applied learning opportunities for students throughout the RDC diploma conclude with capstone engineering projects in cutting-edge facilities such as the College’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC).

The Centre was recognized as a leader among Canadian colleges in applied research and manufacturing, which resulted in a national Technology Access Centre grant, allowing RDC to work with industry at a higher level.

With state-of-the-art prototype and advanced manufacturing equipment, the CIM-TAC is an integral component of central Alberta innovation, helping entrepreneurs to cultivate their ideas and solve industry problems.

Working with innovators and industry, the Centre provides design, proof-of-concept and prototype fabrication services, design engineering, and 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) modelling. College staff members also collaborate with these businesses to enhance management processes, identify funding opportunities, and connect with partners across Canada.

The MET Diploma, along with work experience, can lead to Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) and Professional Technologist (PTech) designations, which further bolster career opportunities for RDC graduates.

Red Deer College’s School of Trades and Technologies offers a span of beneficial opportunities for learners, including two Engineering Technology Diplomas and Apprenticeship training in 14 trades.

More information about Mechanical Engineering Technology and other programs within RDC’s Trades Apprenticeship programs, including how to register, can be found online: rdc.ab.ca.