Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety (Co-op)

at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Canada

The Advanced Welding Technology diploma goes beyond the Alberta Welder Apprenticeship training. It combines advanced technical knowledge, welding skills, and exposure to modern technologies to give a graduate the competitive edge into a career in welding. From skills in fabrication to product innovation and inspection methods, you will gain foundational skills that are in-demand by industry. This two-year program is a direct pathway into apprenticeship trades training at NAIT without having to first be a registered apprentice. In addition, it teaches the knowledge required to be a leader in the industry.

Thanks to the growth of environmental industries, ongoing infrastructure repair and the increasing rate of retirement among existing welders, there are many career paths in this industry for graduates to explore!

What you will learn
Industry-approved training
Students will not only master welding skills but be exposed to technologies that emerge in the welding industry. A student will also learn career essential skills that are in high demand by industry employers. Learning outcomes for this program include being able to:

• Identify safety hazards and comply with legislation
• Operate and maintain welding equipment. To perform welds using processes such as shielded metal arc, gas tungsten, and wire feed processes including gas metal arc, flux core, and metal core
• Perform various thermal cutting processes
• Demonstrate and analyze product creation and efficiencies
• Identify and describe metals and their properties
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communications skills appropriate for the industry

In this comprehensive diploma program, students study thermodynamics, electricity and electronics, and refrigeration and air conditioning. Students also gain skills in mechanical drafting, blueprint reading, technical mathematics and physics. Industrial development continues to result in the expansion of work responsibilities for Power Engineers. Provincial Legislation requires the certification of employees before they assume responsibilities in heating and power plants. There are five certificate levels: 5th Class, 4th Class, 3rd Class, 2nd Class and 1st Class.

NAIT's Power Engineering Technology Diploma (two year) program will be delivering curriculum to prepare the student to write the 4th Class, 3rd Class and three of the six papers for 2nd Class ABSA Administered Provincial Examinations. ABSA Regulations dictate a 100% Attendance Policy that is in place.

The Power Engineering Technology (2 Year Diploma) program prepares students for progression through the 4th Class, 3rd Class and 2nd Class - Part A ABSA levels by providing both theoretical and practical training. The intent of the program is to prepare graduates to make both safety and efficiency a priority on the job. Students must pass all courses and attend a minimum of 80% of the theory classes, 100% of the labs and 100% of the plant practicum to successfully complete the program.

The work responsibilities of Power Engineers increases in complexity according to the level of ABSA Certification. Typically, the work includes:

assisting in the operation and maintenance of boilers, pumps, compressors, fans, turbines, refrigeration units, heating systems and other related equipment
working as a shift engineer coordinating the operational and maintenance activities of assistant engineers engaged in the constant control and surveillance of power plant equipment

The Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology program is unique in that students are trained in both the medical laboratory and x-ray disciplines, practicing predominantly in rural communities. On completion of their training, graduates are able to perform general medical laboratory procedures, general diagnostic radiographic procedures, and electrocardiograms. Students also receive training on information systems and technology in the medical laboratory and diagnostic imaging departments.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Students attend classes full-time at NAIT for a total of 2 years where they will learn and practice the skills required to be a registered CLXT.

Year 1 of the Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology program begins every September and consists of 38 weeks of lectures and hands-on labs that align with current industry standards. This includes two 15-week semesters, and one 8-week intersession located at the NAIT Main Campus.

Upon completion of year 1, the student progresses to an affiliated rural clinical site to complete 40 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Students will train alongside technologists where they will apply the knowledge learned in year one and continue to develop their critical thinking and professionalism skills while providing high quality patient care. Scheduled shifts during clinical training will include evenings, nights and weekend days.

Individuals will work alone or alongside physicians, other technologists, nurses and non-medical personnel. The ability to work independently and/or closely with others are important requirements for an effective Combined Lab and X-Ray technologist.

The Forest Technology program provides technologists with skills that allow them to plan and carry out resource management activities without compromising environmental sustainability. The art, science and practice of managing forests and related resources (also known as forestry) is a rapidly intensifying technical field. Forest ecosystems are one of the most important components of our biosphere, which is why this scientific field has emerged as a vital component to solving the environmental challenges we face today. The Forest Technology program is designed to train technologists with skill sets that allow them to plan and carry out resource management activities without compromising the integrity or sustainability of the ecosystems in which they practice.

Forest technologists typically find employment with industry, government agencies, consulting firms, conservation groups and private landowners. The positions typically involve a mixture of work in both the forest and the office. We recommend all applicants have a thorough knowledge of what employment in the forestry industry entails before applying to this program.

Architectural technologists assist in translating design concepts into graphic images, and then converting those images into technical drawings and specifications that result in creation of the built environment. Students in the Architectural Technology program learn freehand sketching techniques, but the program's main emphasis is on manual and computer-aided drawing skills.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

Throughout the program, you will study theoretical concepts and learn how to:

• Create and coordinate a full set of working drawings to industry standards
• Participate in all aspects of the design process, including the presentation of design solutions
• Research and apply various codes, standards and systems used in design and construction
• Visualize and communicate design in both 2 and 3 dimensions
• Use current architectural tools and software common
• Contribute individually and as part of a team in a professional architectural environment

Architectural technologists must possess superior presentation and communication skills in order to present drawings and plans to clients, workers and management teams. Throughout the program, you will develop your word processing, visual presentation and business communication skills.

This nationally recognized program provides a wide range of training and will give you the skills necessary to make full or partial dentures, repair crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances. You’ll learn the art and science of creating corrective devices for natural teeth and tissues.

A dental technologist is a master of their craft and an essential member of the dental-health team. To be successful, you’ll need to display meticulous attention to detail and an equal combination of technical skills and artistry.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training 
Throughout the program, you’ll recreate the appearance of natural teeth in fixed restorations such as crowns and implant restorations using porcelain, metal alloys and ceramic materials. For corrective devices like orthodontic appliances, you’ll learn the physical and biological forces of handling waxes, wires and acrylic materials.

You’ll have an individual workstation in the dental lab, complete with the latest industry-standard equipment, like:

• press ceramic furnace
• digital laboratory scanner
• acrylic injection system
• pressure thermal-forming machine

You can expect to spend, on average

• 32 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
• 10-15 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

Interior Design Technologists translate designs concepts into technical drawings that ultimately result in the creation of the built environment.

In this program, you will learn the relationships between functional, technical and aesthetic elements in interior environments. You will be trained in products and materials, construction methods, building services and more. Most drawings will be completed on the computer but you will also learn free-hand sketching techniques to create construction drawings, floor plans and more.

If you have an interest in drawing, an aptitude for three dimensional thinking or a strong desire to learn how things are constructed this is the program for you.

Do you have a love for the outdoors and a desire to help keep Canada’s natural spaces healthy and prosperous? Does the idea of searching for clues and investigating cause/effect interest you?

The Biological Sciences Technology – Conservation Biology 2-year diploma program will help you develop the skills needed to ensure that our natural resources are used in an optimal way that is sustained for future generations. Your knowledge and technical expertise will also allow you to engage in resource management activities without compromising the integrity or sustainability of the ecosystems in which they work.

Hands-on, industry-relevant Skills
In this program, you’ll acquire skills used in field sampling, environmental education and resource management by studying chemistry, botany and the biology and ecology of birds, fish, mammals, insects, plants, rivers, lakes and soils.

You’ll also explore genetics, wildlife surveys, plant and animal diversity, soil and range management, water quality issues, parks management and environmental education projects.

With the help of support instructors with years of industry experience, you’ll learn in a combination of classroom, lab and field settings. Our facilities will provide you with practical, job-ready experience using a variety of modern laboratory and field instruments, and simulation and computer applications. You may also learn through work experience, field trips, applied research and other opportunities. 

NAIT's Radio and Television programs are 2 distinct, yet interrelated full-time diploma programs. Each of these dynamic 2-year programs takes a non-traditional approach to teaching that will provide you with learning opportunities through hands-on experiences.

Undertake the typical job functions found in radio and television stations by acting as the staff for NAIT's campus radio station (NR92) and television newsroom (NAIT NewsWatch). Using industry standard digital equipment and labs, and while working in modern studios, you'll hone written, technical, communicative and production competencies.

Our instructors are highly-qualified professionals with years of industry experience and our program is well-recognized across the country. If you flip on your TV or radio at any given time, you're likely to see or hear NAIT alumni working across North America.

All students in the Biological Sciences Technology program take a common first semester before entering into their specialization - Lab and Research, Renewable Resources or Environmental Sciences. The common first semester provides students with strong fundamentals in Biological Sciences while semesters two, three, and four build on these fundamentals with additional specialization-specific education and training. 

Graduates of Biological Sciences Laboratory and Research program are highly skilled, hands-on technologists with the ability to use and apply current technologies and research methods in animal physiology, molecular biology, cell culture, immunology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology. Graduates are valued for their professionalism, effective communication, lab competency, and work safely and efficiently in a team environment. They are aware of the changing industry, and are committed to lifelong learning.