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Pilot program will offer Ontario students free OACETT memberships

TORONTO, Ont. — Students in engineering and applied science programs at three Ontario colleges will be the beneficiaries of a new pilot program to gauge the value of offering free association memberships to students starting this year. 

The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) is partnering with Cambrian College, Conestoga College and Durham College to offer the free memberships for the one, two or three years of their chosen program, and the three years immediately following their graduation. 

Tony Doyle, executive dean of the faculty of science, engineering and information technology at Durham College said the colleges recognize the value of industry specific memberships, which often give students an advantage when they’re looking for employment. 

“Having that membership in the formative years of their careers is also a huge plus because it allows students to access the support, expertise, and networking that OACETT offers to help them progress as technicians and technologists,” he said. “”That’s why we are proud to introduce students to OACETT and its certifications early in their studies to offer them opportunities to gain additional skills, training and mentorship that will help kick-start their careers.”  

Part of the pilot program will include offering OACETT’s Professional Practice Exam (PPE) to the students while they are still enrolled in their programs. The exam is one of the requirements for certification as either a Certified Technician (C.Tech.) or a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T). 

The pilot program will run for six years and the resulting data will allow OACETT to make a decision on student membership pricing and practices going forward.