Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology

at Saskatchewan Polytechnic - Saskatoon Campus Canada

If you like working one-on-one with kids with different needs, and you want to see them included in the classroom, becoming an educational assistant might be the career for you. Educational assistants provide the all-important one-on-one support that makes today’s inclusive classrooms possible. The Educational Assistant program is respected by school boards province-wide. We’ll teach you the skills and give you the hands-on experience you need to make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers the one-year Educational Assistant certificate program in Saskatoon, as well as through regional colleges around the province. Or, you can take the certificate through distance education. Whether you study on campus or via distance learning, you’ll participate in two 4-week practicums - one in an elementary school, one in a high school.

Why Practicums?
Putting you in the classroom lets you apply what you’ve learned to helping children with different needs. You’ll see first hand the kind of technology being used and the curriculum being taught. You’ll have a package of guidance strategies to help deal with situations as they arise. Most importantly, you’ll gain a solid understanding of what to expect in a real classroom with real kids.

What You’ll Learn
Your job is to assist classroom teachers by working with children or youth with diverse learning needs. Saskatchewan Polytechnic provides the knowledge and skills you’ll need, including:

• Basic care skills (lifting to feeding)
• Classroom management and crisis prevention techniques and strategies
• Communication skills and professionalism
• Cultural awareness and family dynamics
• Exceptionalities (causes, characteristics and accommodations)
• Social, emotional, cognitive development (children and teens)
• Supporting teachers in specific subject areas
• Your role in the classroom

Mining is one of the fastest growing sectors in Saskatchewan. In the next 10 years, estimates predict over 15,000 new workers will be needed in the industry—including mining engineering technologists.

Mining engineering technologists work in hard and soft rock mining operations here in Saskatchewan, across Canada and around the world. It’s a well-paying career that can involve surveying, ventilation, ground control, mine planning or supervision. You need to be a team player, good at problem solving, comfortable working with new technology and committed to workplace safety.

Mining Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus. In the classroom and in the lab, you’ll learn to apply scientific principles to basic mining engineering situations.

You’ll develop knowledge and skills in:

• basic geology, geophysics, electricity and instrumentation
• computer applications in mining
• fluid mechanics
• ground control
• mine hydrology and environmental concerns
• mine ventilation
• ore processing and transportation
• project management
• safety
• soil, concrete and shotcrete testing
• surveying and drafting

Hands-on learning involves everything from computer simulations, to geology and surveying labs, to mechanical and materials testing labs. Second year projects will help you build skills in mine design, blasting and ventilation. You’ll also carry out an applied research project. This emphasis on learning by doing ensures you’re ready to work from day one after graduation.

If you enjoy working on cars and trucks, Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Automotive Service Technician program can fast-track you into a career. In less than a year, you could be working as a technician in an automotive shop, car and truck dealership, specialty shop, service station or transportation company.

You’ll need good problem-solving skills, mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity. At the end of the program, you’ll have transferable skills you can apply to other trades, including agricultural machinery technician, heavy duty equipment technician, truck and transport mechanic.

Automotive Service Technician is a one-year certificate program offered in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon. You’ll learn how to diagnose, repair, service and maintain advanced mechanical and electrical systems in today’s vehicles. Get practical, hands-on training in:

• body and trim
• brakes and chassis
• charging, ignition and starting systems
• clutches and drive lines
• electronics and electrical systems
• engine repair and rebuilding
• fuel and emission systems
• general shop procedures

Computer systems technologists solve computer-related issues for businesses, government agencies, utilities, law enforcement agencies, health services providers, educational institutions and more. It’s a career that demands a unique blend of skills—computer literacy, technical know-how and communications savvy—but also lets you specialize in areas that interest you the most, including programming, software design, mobile application programming, data communications and web design.

The two-year Computer Systems Technology diploma is available full time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus, with a number of courses also available through distance and/or continuing education. Comprehensive technical training gives you a solid foundation of theory and hands-on lab practice in:

• designing, installing and managing local area networks
• developing computer programs in various programming languages
• developing interactive web pages with multimedia components
• developing proficiency in several common computer application packages
• installing and configuring computer hardware and software
• performing systems analysis and design
• programming apps for mobile devices (smart phones, tablets, etc.)
• providing end-user technical support services
• troubleshooting and repairing hardware problems

You’ll also learn business principles, project management and communication skills—attributes potential employers look for when hiring for IT personnel.

If you want to study more than one post-graduate program at Sask Polytech, you have the option to apply for a post-graduate bundle. With one application you can apply and be accepted into both post-graduate programs.

Cyber Security
The Cyber Security post-graduate certificate will prepare students for the challenges of identifying network and computer system vulnerabilities, conducting ethical hacks to determine system risk and designing organizational cyber security plans. The program content is based on the expectation that students will have developed problem-solving skills and basic research skills in their undergraduate information and communication technology degrees, and that the Cyber Security post-graduate certificate program will enhance their existing knowledge and skills. Cyber security is everyone's business, and developing current practical knowledge is important in this digital growth industry.

Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in Saskatchewan. Our past, present and future is built on innovators and creators--people who want to run their own business, carve their own career path and build a future for their family. The new one-year Entrepreneurship post-graduate certificate will give you the skills, the knowledge, even the beginnings of a professional network to launch your entrepreneurial career.

What sets the Entrepreneurship program apart is our focus on relevant, real-world learning. Get the skills you need to effectively manage a business, from the basics of accounting and finance to human resources, communication, marketing and leadership. Learn about social entrepreneurship and purpose-driven businesses, indigenous entrepreneurship and the role of technology in entrepreneurship.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is known for our hands-on approach to learning. This means you will have many opportunities for applied learning, including preparing a feasibility analysis, creating an innovative solution to a problem and developing a business plan for a new venture.

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

Food and nutrition is a rapidly growing global industry. If you want to be a part of it, Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Food and Nutrition Management program will fit you to a tee.

The program develops skills in all three areas—food, nutrition and management. This opens doors to careers in food and nutrition in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, post-secondary institutions, remote mine sites and more.

Food and Nutrition Management is a nationally accredited two-year diploma program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon Campus . Build practical, hands-on knowledge and skills in food, nutrition and management, including:

• basic cooking and food preparation
• food service and customer relations skills
• coordination of catering and cafeteria promotions
• management and marketing skills
• menu planning
• nutrition and special diets
• participating on health care teams

Bioscience technologists use applied science to research problems and develop solutions to some of life's many important questions, ranging from food safety to new medicines. Saskatchewan Polytechnic's BioScience Technology program (formerly Biotechnology) is a two-year diploma program that emphasizes a hands-on style of learning. Your classroom time includes theory, practical exercises and labs. A four-week practicum gives you on-the-ground experience working in a laboratory, so at the end of your program you're ready for the workplace.

The program is designed to give you a strong foundation in both scientific principles and analytic practices. The emphasis is on developing your lab skills to prepare you for work in the biosciences, biomedical research and applied research fields.

You'll develop the skills you need to:

• Analyse DNA, RNA and protein samples
• Follow good laboratory practices (GLP) guidelines
• Handle and prepare laboratory chemicals
• Organize and supervise laboratory activities
• Record, process and report data
• Use analytical instruments
• Work with plants and animals in a research setting
• Work with microorganisms

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.

Does a career of working one-on-one with youth and families interest you? Check out the Youth Care Worker program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. You’ll find two options: the one-year certificate or the two-year diploma. Whichever you choose, you’ll need a steady personality, strong listening skills, compassion and respect for others.

Graduates of the one-year certificate program are qualified for jobs as youth or family service workers in educational, residential, social services or community-based agencies.

The one-year Youth Care Worker certificate program is offered full time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus and part time (some day and evening courses) through Continuing Education, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Regina Campus, as well as through distance education. Qualified instructors with experience in the field will help you develop the skills you need to build therapeutic relationships with children, youth and families. Your studies will focus on:

• Indigenous awareness;
• Addictions and the criminal justice system;
• Behavioural intervention strategies and therapeutic activities;
• Communication, employability and problem-solving skills;
• Crisis prevention/self-protection strategies;
• Health & wellness, human growth and development; and
• Planning and implementing activities.