Certificate in Educational Assistant

at Saskatchewan Polytechnic - Saskatoon Campus Canada

If you like working with machinery, enjoy solving mechanical problems and are good with your hands, check out Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Industrial Mechanics program. You’ll get the basic knowledge and skills you need to install, repair, overhaul and maintain stationary, industrial machinery and mechanical equipment.

Demand for industrial mechanics—also called millwrights—is high across western Canada. Oil & gas and mining are big employers, but there’s also demand in manufacturing, milling, power generation and chemical plants.

Industrial Mechanics is a one-year certificate program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus and Saskatchewan Polytechnic Prince Albert campus. Working in well-equipped shops with highly qualified instructors, you’ll get practical, hands-on training in:

• basic math, drafting and blueprint reading
• basic welding, fabrication and installation
• conveyance systems, pumps and pipe fitting
• mechanical components
• preventative maintenance
• using tools of the trade

Parts management technicians make sure the right parts are available in the right place at the right time. You have to like variety, be good at organizing things, be able to handle large volumes of information, and have good people and computer skills.

The Parts Management Technician program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic provides the skills you need to work in wholesale distribution centres and in automotive, truck, agricultural, industrial equipment and recreational equipment dealerships.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's one-year Parts Management Technician certificate program is offered on campus in Saskatoon. The entire program is also offered online through distance learning. Combining classroom theory with practical assignments and labs, you’ll learn how to serve different customers, dispense parts and sell related goods. You’ll get practical training in:

• All types of parts
• Maintaining a clean, orderly display and storage area
• Maintaining pre-determined inventory levels
• Parts applications and locations
• Parts purchasing and storage
• Using a computerized inventory control system
• Using parts manuals, catalogues, and electronic catalogues

Mechanical engineering technologists help ensure the machines and systems our society depends on work the way they’re supposed to. You need an aptitude for all things mechanical, but you also need good problem-solving and analytical skills, because your job will involve troubleshooting problems; finding better, more efficient ways to do things; and ensuring vital systems stay up and running.

The job market is strong; the opportunities are diverse. You could work in mechanical design for a consulting engineering firm, as an engineering assistant at a manufacturing plant, as a systems inspector for a regulatory agency or as a technical sales representative for an equipment distributor.

Mechanical Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus. The program focuses on mechanical design and drafting, industrial and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems and process instrumentation. You’ll learn how to apply scientific principles to solve basic engineering problems involving:

• air conditioning
• computer applications
• engineering design
• fluids and materials
• industrial instrumentation
• power and thermodynamics
• process control
• project management

Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s hands-on approach to learning means you’ll learn by doing. You’ll design a complete air conditioning system, use cutting edge software to design a machine, conduct an applied research project, troubleshoot solutions on a technical project and more.

Today’s library technologist is tech-savvy, socially engaged and passionate about life-long learning. It’s a great career for anyone interested in literacy, learning and innovation.

Library techs are in demand—because libraries have become the go-to place for everything from traditional books to e-books, multi-media and online resources.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's two-year Library and Information Technology diploma program has been developed in accordance with the Canadian Library Association Guidelines to address ongoing advances in technology and changing library user needs. Offered at our Saskatoon campus, the program prepares you to support librarians in any type of library—or to manage day-to-day operations on your own in a small library.

You’ll take a variety of introductory academic courses to familiarize yourself with a wide variety of subjects, from world history to literature. You’ll discuss the impact of new technologies, the political and economic factors impacting information sharing, the benefits and risks of digital storage, and more. Through lectures, labs and hands-on projects, you’ll develop knowledge and skills in:

• Acquisitions, circulation and interlibrary loans
• Archives and records management
• Computer-based and traditional library management
• Database searching and reference research
• Descriptive and subject cataloguing
• Programming and public relations
• Reader assistance
• Website design and social media

Demand for health-care workers is high, and that includes demand for continuing care assistants. If you enjoy caring for others, and if you want to get into the workforce quickly, Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Continuing Care Assistant program might be just what you’re looking for.

As a continuing care assistant, you’ll work directly with clients in long-term care, home care, assisted living, some areas in acute care, and even special needs classrooms. You’ll help them with mobility, personal care, assisting them to eat their meals, and medication monitoring. It’s a face-to-face, people-focused job.

The program combines hands-on classroom learning with practical clinical experience. You’ll build knowledge and skills in

• Addressing individual psychosocial needs;
• Administering personal care;
• Dementia management strategies;
• Gerontology (a major area of study);
• Long-term care philosophy in different settings;
• Promoting independence in a safe environment;
• Working with individuals with different physical and cognitive impairments; and/or
• Working with people of different cultures.

Your clinical work experiences will give you a taste of different work settings. Under the supervision of a buddy or staff member, you’ll work directly with clients in home care, long-term care and acute care settings. It’s a great way to build your skills and your confidence.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's one-year Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate program gives you the knowledge and skills you need to work in a variety of child care settings. You can take the program in Prince Albert, Regina or Saskatoon , through regional colleges around the province, or through distance learning wherever you live.

The ECE program integrates current research on early childhood education into all of your courses. You’ll develop strong communication, observation and documentation skills. You’ll receive well-rounded training in:

• Child and adolescent development
• Child guidance techniques
• Role of early childhood educators
• Role of play in programming
• Values and practice of early childhood education

programming for creative arts, language, cognitive, social and emotional development
The emphasis on observation and documentation is market-driven - these are essential to building positive relationships with families, and employers are eager to hire grads with well-developed skills.

Working with Children

You’ll interact with young children throughout your program, thanks to Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s partnerships with community and campus child care centres. Saskatoon students also have access to a unique learning opportunity - 10% of all your courses are based on work in our Early Childhood Demonstration Centre.

At the end of your first and second semesters, you’ll also participate in practicums (i.e., 4 weeks and 6 weeks), in a child care or preschool setting. This real-world learning gives you a competitive edge in the workforce.

Want to Open More Doors?

When you graduate, you’re eligible to apply to become a licensed Level II Early Childhood Educator (ECE). Many child care centres and preschools only hire licensed ECEs. You can also go on to earn a diploma in Early Childhood Education with one more year of study. Or, you can transfer some of your credits to the University of Regina’s Bachelor of Education degree program in Elementary Education.

Part-time students may take the following courses prior to admission, but must apply and be accepted to the program thereafter, in order to graduate and receive a credential: COMM 291, ECE 106, ECE 142, EMPL 180, HUMD 100, and HUMD 183.

As an early childhood educator, you will support children as they learn through play. Your role will be to create developmentally appropriate curriculum and design inviting and effective quality learning environments. You will learn how to develop holistic programs that include early literacy and language, creative arts, numeracy, and open-ended play experiences both indoors and outdoors. Your responsibilities will include working alongside your colleagues to build relationships with children and families, community partners and other professionals.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's two-year Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma program is offered on-campus in Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, or through regional colleges or distance learning, wherever you live.

Please note, based on availability your practicum may be outside of your program location.

It is a highly respected program that integrates the most current research on early childhood education. Topics of study will include:

• observation, assessment and documentation
• learning through play
• children with diverse abilities
• child guidance techniques
• family and community relationships
• play environments and program planning
• programming for infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-age children
• administration and child care regulations
• communication and employability skills

Today’s media is all about content—stories, ideas, words, sounds, images, designs. And with more media outlets than ever before, demand for people with abilities to conceive, produce and deliver content is growing. If you’d like to be one of them, Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Media Production program will appeal to you.
Media Production offers cutting-edge training in the “how-to” of content creation. Learn how to bring ideas to life, how to operate production equipment, how to prepare presentations, how to produce media programs.

You’ll graduate with the skills you need to work behind the cameras, in sound, lighting, editing, live streaming, location production and more.
Media Production is a two-year diploma program. The program is offered full-time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus. In the first-year of the program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of:

• Still imaging
• Formatting, manipulating and editing graphics
• Audio recording and production
• Ccriptwriting
• Electronic publishing
• Basic video acquisition and editing
• Lighting techniques and design
• Presentation software and equipment
• Web authoring

 In the second-year, you’ll build your skills through hands-on training in:

• Digital audio and video post-production
• Multi-camera video production
• Producing, post-production
• Project management and scheduling
• Live audio production
• Portrait and product photography
• Effective imagery
• Streaming media
• Motion graphics

The world runs on power. Power engineering technologists are in charge of operating and maintaining the complex systems used to operate industrial boilers, pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Demand for skilled power engineers is growing, opening the door to good jobs in the oil patch, mining, manufacturing, power generation utilities and more.

Power Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma program offered full time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus. You’ll gain knowledge and skills in the operation of power (steam) plants and industrial processes, including:

• air conditioning and refrigeration
• boiler operations (high and low pressure)
• communications
• computer monitoring of plant operations
• controls and instrumentation
• environmental (pollution) management
• equipment checks and maintenance
• plant safety
• pump operations
• water treatment systems

The program combines classroom learning with hands-on labs, power labs, computer simulations and industry work experiences. Graduates are productive on the job from day one—something employers look for when hiring and promoting.

Do you like working on cars? Want to get into the workforce quickly? Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Auto Body Technician program could be a great fit for you. The program prepares you for work in auto body shops, auto dealerships and private garages.

The job involves bending, standing and lifting heavy equipment. But it’s also creative work—a good eye for colour and detail will ensure your skills are in demand.

Auto Body Technician is a one-year certificate program offered on campus in Saskatoon and in Regina.

Note: The Regina (January) delivery of this program is marketed almost exclusively to international students with a study permit, although it may be available to domestic students as well. 

The program gives you a solid foundation in the knowledge and skills you’ll need to work in motor vehicle body repair and refinishing. You’ll get practical training in:

• Basic and advanced metal work;
• Basic and advanced painting;
• Benchwork and safe working procedures;
• Door servicing, glass installation and electrical systems;
• Front sheet metal and plastic material repair;
• Industry communications and math;
• Welding.