A program aimed at helping tradespeople in Alberta is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The Tradesperson to CTech Pathway program, which launched in Alberta in 2015, allows a journeyperson to apply for and earn certified technician designation from ASET, also known as the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta.
A CTech is an applied science, information or engineering technology professional who covers a wide range of tasks, like installing cable and phone lines for infrastructure projects, or serving as process operators in refineries and manufacturing operations.
Officials say the designation can open the doors to ample career opportunities.
Additionally, ASET notes the CTech designation helps tradespeople eventually gain their certified engineering technologist designation, which is considered the “gold standard” designation within the profession.
Calgary-based Jarin Wildeman is a Red Seal and Blue Seal-certified journeyperson millwright who has his CTech designation.
“Earning my CTech designation and becoming an ASET member helped me in terms of the number of employers, recruiters and headhunters who reached out to me afterwards, requesting my professional expertise and offering me opportunities to join their companies,” Wildeman says.
“Above all, my ASET designation has earned me the respect of other industry professionals who, in many past experiences, would not offer me the same respect when I held only the Red Seal-certified journeyperson credential.”
Alberta has over 50 designated trades in various industries, like mechanical, electrical, manufacturing and many others. A list of the journeyperson programs eligible for the Tradesperson to CTech Pathway program is available at the ASET website.