TAC Releases National Technology Report Guideline

 

Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) today released its National Technology Report Guideline to support compliance with National Accreditation Criteria E.2 General Learning Outcomes, GY01 Technology Report, a requirement of national accreditation for technologist programs.

 

The technology report is an opportunity for students to demonstrate they have a clear understanding of an engineering technology or applied science program’s academics, using their technical problem solving abilities and communication skills.

 

“The value of the technology report is it requires a student to research an engineering technology or applied science issue, analyze technical data, justify conclusions, write and present the report”, remarks Gary Closson, TAC lead auditor and former Dean of Technology at Sheridan College. “The Guideline will ensure common expectations from auditors and educational programs”.

 

The Guideline includes detailed sections on technology report structure, mechanics, style and language. Best practices, gathered from over seventy TAC national program accreditations, are noted. Sample reports from the 2020 Technology Report Contest are available, along with a sample marking rubric.

 

“A number of programs have not been accredited after the initial audit as the technology report did not meet the standard”, comments Richard Stamper, TAC Executive Director. “The Guideline was developed to support programs in achieving this important general learning outcome”.

 

TAC acknowledges the support provided by several provincial certifying bodies, auditors and educators to create the National Technology Report Guideline.

 

About TAC

As the national accrediting body for the engineering technology and applied science profession, TAC is committed to partnering with educational institutions to ensure students receive the highest quality education which meets the profession’s national educational standards. For more information about TAC, visit technologyaccreditation.ca

 

Contact:

TAC

Richard Stamper

Executive Director

t: 416-847-1016, ext. 254

rstamper@technologyaccreditation.ca

 

What happens if you don't pay your dues?

 

What happens if you don't pay your dues?

All annual dues are due on June 30th.

They can be paid by cheque, through online banking, and even by email transfer.

If they are not paid by the due date you are subject to a $50 late fee.

By November 30th, if there has not been payment:

1. A letter is sent saying
1. You are being removed from the list of members in good standing
2. You must
1. Return your certificate
2. Stop wearing your professional designation ring
3. Stop using your professional designation
4. Stop referring to yourself in any method that would lead someone to believe that you are certified

2. A letter is sent to the employer stating that you are no longer a member of the association and are no longer certified

What can you do about this?

1. Pay your owed dues, plus the late fees
2. If sufficient time has passed ( 3 years) reapply as a new member ( which will require a new application fee)

 

Why so strict?
 

The annual budget for Island Technology Professionals is based on a simple assumption.   Namely, that its members will behave in a professional manner and pay the fees required to maintain their certification status.

This budget pays for:

• Rent and utilities
• Student awards and scholarships
• CCTT dues to allow the designations being used are legally able to be awarded
• Meet with other associations to insure that that PEI is in step with other provinces, and the rest of the world in terms of professional practice
• Help maintain the National Technology Benchmarks, upon which local college programs are accredited, meet what industry says is required

If members do not pay what they have agreed to, and we have budgeted for, there is no money  to pay for these things.  We would really not like to not be able to continue to hand out scholarships to students, because we have over-budgeted because our members have decided not to pay what they owe.

 

How much does it cost to be a member?

How much does being a member cost?

After an $80 application fee, once accepted as a member the annual cost is $140.

Students:  $20
Retired:  $20

Technology Ring:  $100

This is rather low, we think.

As a comparison:    Engineers PEI   $300



Compared to other Technician and Technologist associations:

ASET (Alberta)  :  $295.00
ASTTBC  (BC) :  $310.00
OACETT (Ont)  :  $233.57
TechNova (NS)  :  $165.00
NBSCETT (NB):  $189.00
AETTNL (NL).  :  $165.00
OTPQ (Quebec) : $350.00

Out of this $18 goes to CCTT (Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists)

The rest, not used for rent and utilities goes to student awards, involvement in interprovincial cooperation with other associations, and in promoting the technology industry on PEI.

Not one cent goes to anyone who works with the association.  All officers and councillors donate their time and take no money for their efforts.

Code of Ethics

One good definition of a professional is someone who holds to a code of ethics.

On PEI, our members agree to a code of ethics in their work practice.

http://www.techpei.ca/pdfs/ITP_Code_of_Ethics.pdf

Are we saying that people who are not certified are not ethical?   No, not at all.

What we are saying is that hiring a professional that holds one of our designations (CET, AScT, or C.Tech) means that as a professional certifying body that we have verified that they have officially agreed to a specific code of ethics and we have not received any complaints from the public stating that the code has been violated.

If the person has been found to have violated the code, we reserve the right to revoke the right to use the designations and to be able to legally claim to be certified.

If a person is not certified, the only thing we can say is that if they are a graduate of a CTAB accredited program that they have received a good education and have been told what our code is.   The designation shows that they have agreed to them.

The Technology Ring

The Ring

The outward visible symbol of registration in the profession is the Professional Ring. A sterling silver band, in the design of a gear wheel with intermittent maple leaves, is available for the exclusive use of fully registered members (A.Sc.T., C.E.T. or C.Tech.). The ring is worn across Canada by registered members of the provincial associations of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT).

Within ITP, only registered members are permitted to wear the ring. The Council strongly advocates that all wear it.

The symbols are as follows:

The ring represents unity between the members of the Society and the national body (Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists).

The maple leaves were chosen in order that the ring would be acceptable to registered members across Canada and represent our national symbol.

The five gear teeth are symbolic of the necessary co-operation between the trades people, technicians, technologists, engineers, and scientists / researchers who integrally comprise the "engineering team" for all should be working as closely as the five fingers of the hand.

The ring was made distinctive enough so that the general public could recognize at a glance a registered member from other professionals.

While it may be worn according to the member's preference, professional rings are traditionally worn on the last finger of the working hand.

Registered members of ITP may purchase the ring exclusively through the Association's Head Office in Charlottetown.

What is a Certified Engineering Technician

Certified [Engineering] Technician

A Certified Engineering Technician or Certified Technician, (hereinafter referred to as the technician) is an individual who, through academic training and experience in the application of mathematics and engineering or scientific principles, is capable of assuming responsibility and of exercising independent judgment in the specialized portion of the field of engineering or applied science technology in which training has been achieved. By virtue of this training and experience, a technician is prepared to take responsibility of aspects of work within this specialized portion of the field of training.

Education and Training

The academic training for a technician is based upon a core of applied mathematics and engineering/science fundamentals. The mathematics core includes topics such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, descriptive statistics, computer applications and introductory calculus, to the extent required for the explanation of technical components of the specialized area of training. The technician will use mathematics as a tool in the solution of the technical problems of his/her specialized field. The engineering and science fundamentals provide a firm base along with mathematics for specialized training which normally invokes empirical rather than analytical solutions to technical problems. The academic and theoretical portions of a program of training is suitably reinforced by laboratory and project experience amounting to approximately one half of the total program.

Certification

An individual who successfully completes the examinations of a provincial association, or who graduates from an accredited technician level program, or who otherwise meets the academic standards established by the certifying body, may on completion of at least two years of acceptable practical experience in an area of work directly related to the area of academic achievement, be registered as a Certified Engineering Technician (CET) or Certified Technician (C.Tech).

Career Opportunities

The technician may carry out a variety of technical work processes in the area of specialization in which certification was granted. Employment or career opportunities exist in many phases of industry, consulting, business, government and public organizations. Typical areas would include design, marketing, sales, estimating, research and development, production control, purchasing, operations and production, testing, quality control, maintenance, customer and field service, supervision of projects and people, instruction and training. Such work is usually in association with other professionals as part of a team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The technician uses a practical approach based upon a detailed understanding of the field of technology in which certification was granted. The technician examines his/her assignments, objectives, and instructions to select procedures and actions to resolve the assigned problem.

The technician may:

• assist in the design of equipment or systems; assist in the interpretation and preparation or modification of specifications, technical drawings or instructions; prepare estimates and supervise phases of major projects
• conduct tests; build prototypes or models; operate pilot plants; trouble-shoot equipment; resolve production or construction problems; compile data and reports
• supervise phases of construction projects; inspect construction projects; conduct tests, surveys or prepare estimates for construction activities
• trouble-shoot, service, calibrate or supervise the repair or installation of equipment processes or products
• provide support for operations activities including supervision of operations or operation-related activities such as quality assurance, production control and maintenance
• provide support in laboratory environments by conducting experiments, conducting test or servicing complex equipment in support of research and development, quality control or academic activities. supervise, train and coordinate the activities of others

While some duties of the technician may be similar to skilled craftsmen or tradesmen, these would not normally be of a routine nature and would normally apply on sophisticated equipment or processes. Many of the duties of the technician will be similar to the duties of technologists and other professionals but these will normally be in a very selective area of specialization.

The Certified Engineering Technician or Certified Technician may, through long experience in the field, become recognized as a technical expert in a well defined specialty and will assume responsibility for his/her work and at all times be bound by a professional code of ethics.  He/She will be identified by one of the following certification marks: C.Tech.

What is a Certified Engineering or Applied Science Technologist?

Certified Engineering / Applied Science Technologist

A Certified Engineering / Applied Science Technologist (hereinafter referred to as the technologist) is a professional who, through academic training and experience in the application of mathematics and engineering or scientific principles, is capable of assuming responsibility and of exercising independent judgment in the field of engineering or applied science technology in which training has been achieved. By virtue of this training and experience, a technologist is prepared to take final responsibility of all aspects of work within this field of training.

Education and Training

The academic training for a technologist is based upon a core of applied mathematics and engineering/science fundamentals. The mathematics core would include topics such as differential equations, integration, linear algebra, analytic geometry, trigonometry, statistics and computer related mathematics, permitting synthesis of designs or in the analysis of the technical problems of the field of discipline. The engineering and science fundamentals provide a firm base along with mathematics for training in the engineering/applied science, applicable to a particular branch or specialty of technology. The academic and theoretical portion of a program of training is suitably reinforced by laboratory and project experience amounting to approximately one-third of the total program.

Certification

An individual who successfully completes the examinations of a provincial association, or who graduates from an accredited technologist level program, or who otherwise meets the academic standards established by the certifying body, may on completion of at least two years of acceptable practical experience in an area of work directly related to the area of academic achievement, be certified as an engineering technologist or applied science technologist.

Career Opportunities

The technologist may carry out a wide range of complex work processes in the specialty and identified field of technology in which certification was granted. Employment or career opportunities exist in most phases of industry, consulting, business, governmental and public organizations. Typical areas would include design, marketing, sales, estimating, research and development, production control, purchasing, operations and production, testing, quality management, maintenance, customer and field service, management and supervision of projects and people, instruction and teaching. Such work may be performed independently or in association with other professionals as part of a team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The technologist uses an applied approach based upon a comprehensive understanding of the field of technology in which certification was granted. The technologist evaluates assignments, establishes objectives, defines problems, and determines procedures and actions to resolve the problems.

The technologist may:

• design equipment, processes or systems; interpret and prepare specifications, technical drawings or instructions; prepare estimates and manage projects
• specify tests; conduct non-routine tests; develop prototypes; operate pilot plants; trouble-shoot complex equipment; resolve production or construction problems; compile experimental data, or prepare reports
• supervise, train, coordinate and assume administrative responsibility for the work of others and participate in short and long range planning
• carry out studies, make calculations, prepare or develop programs, provide instructions, or implement projects

The Certified Engineering / Applied Science Technologist will assume responsibility for his/her work and is at all time bound by a professional code of ethics. He/She will be identified by one of the following certification marks: CET; AScT; TScA; RET; TP.

(note - CET and AScT are recognized on Prince Edward Island)