Where life and learning click
In November 2009, Northern Lakes College began offering its Power Engineering 4th Class certificate program through eCampusAlberta. In March of this year, the college added the 5th Class certificate program to its online lineup. In both instances, the college was responding to growing student demand.
Claire Russell, the college’s Resource Programs Coordinator, says it all started with broadcasting the power engineering classes live online.
“Most of our students were working full time and couldn’t log on to the live broadcasts during the regular class time, so we started recording the lectures and making them available online to students at their convenience,” Russell says.
“From there, offering the full programs online was the obvious next step,” she says.
In the Power Engineering 4th and 5th Class programs, both of which can be taken either part time or full time, students learn about the safe operation and maintenance of industrial boilers and the associated equipment in heating plants and other industrial settings.
At the 5th Class level, the boilers tend to be in buildings such as hospitals, hotels, office buildings and apartment complexes.
At the 4th Class level, the boilers are in large-scale industrial facilities including mills, waste treatment plants, large gas plants and steam-assisted heavy oil recovery projects.
Individuals can apply for either program right out of high school but must meet certain math and English requirements. Mature applicants, who make up the majority of the programs’ students, may take exams to assess their math and English skill levels if they lack the academic requirements. A 5th Class competency certificate can also serve as a prerequisite for the 4th Class program.
In addition to the academic requirements, Russell says applicants must undergo a personal interview.
“We want to make sure that applicants are ready and willing to do the program,” she says.
“We also want to ensure they understand exactly what we will provide them – that finishing our program will prepare them for, but not give them, provincial certification.”
To obtain provincial certification, graduates are required to pass two Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) exams – Part A after they complete their online program and Part B after putting in six months of “firing time” or operating experience, she says.
Students pursuing their 4th Class competency certificate have the option of taking a certified five-week power lab, offered at an institution, such as SAIT Polytechnic or NAIT, instead of completing the six months’ firing time.
The college allows graduates to have continued online access to the programs while studying for their ABSA.
Northern Lakes’ approach key to programs’ success
Russell says both programs are very popular, something she attributes to three key components:
1. The recorded lecture that supplements each chapter. After reading a chapter, students can view the accompanying recorded lecture for further explanation and clarification.
2. Increased access to the instructor. In addition to having instructors’ phone numbers and e-mail addresses, students can arrange to meet with their instructors online to receive live tutoring.
3. The college’s gentle “nudging” of the students to keep up with their courses. The college actively monitors students’ progress and will contact them to encourage them to meet program deadlines if they are falling behind.
“Students appreciate the program supplements and the fact that we care about their individual progress.”
“A lot of our students have tried to obtain their certificates in the past and now are experiencing success. That’s why they come to us.”
The college plans to offer its Power Engineering 3rd Class certificate program online through eCampusAlberta in the coming months.
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