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A new program at RDC provides up to date engineering training

Red Deer College has introduced a new program that provides up-to-date training in the field of engineering.
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Red Deer College has introduced a new program that provides up-to-date training in the field of engineering.

The Instrumentation Engineering Technology program was officially introduced last night at the college, complementing its two other engineering technology programs, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology.

With technology rapidly changing, Joel Gingrich, Dean, School of Trades and Technologies, said the new program wasn’t just an option, but a necessity.

“The need for the program at RDC really began with industry. Industry identified that there was a training need within our region that wasn’t being met by the programs that existed in Calgary and Edmonton,” said Gingrich.

The program will give students a strong groundwork in design, installation and maintenance of industrial control systems.

Skills that are extremely beneficial to future graduates, said Gingrich.

“They’ll work in careers dealing with a lot of the automation control systems that exist in residences, industries and the communities where we live. Instrumentation engineering looks at heating and lighting controls that might be in those types of buildings,” said Gingrich.

“Security systems, temperature control and HVAC systems are all controlled by instrumentation engineering.”

He said Alberta is a great place to put those skills to work.

“Most people will think about oil and gas, but there is tremendous range of careers that go way beyond the oil and gas sector, into the agricultural, manufacture and production industries,” said Gingrich.

Gingrich said not only does it provide training needed in today’s world, but it could lay the ground work for further expansion in the school’s engineering technology programs.

“This provides the basis for engineering technologies in a wide range of areas that even go beyond those three specialties. It provides the foundation for us to build on a diploma program, but also potentially a degree program,” said Gingrich.

The program will be offered starting in September 2017.

For further details on the Instrumentation Engineering Technology program or to apply visit www.rdc.ab.ca.

jonathan.guignard@www.reddeeradvocate.com