Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
Encyclopedia
is a not-for-profit, self-governing organization in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is a professional association
Professional body
A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.The roles of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a...
that promotes the interests of the engineering and applied science technician
Technician
A technician is a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant skills and techniques, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles. Experienced technicians in a specific tool domain typically have intermediate understanding of theory and expert...
and technologist
Engineering technologist
An engineering technologist, is a specialist devoted to the implementation of existing technology within a field of engineering. Technologists often work with engineers in a wide variety of projects by applying basic engineering principles and technical skills...
professions in industry, educational institutions, the public, and government.
ASET evaluates the qualifications of individuals who voluntarily apply for certification and issues professional credentials accordingly. ASET acts as an advocate for the profession to governments and the general public. It also delivers a number of benefits and services to its members and their employers.
History
On 1963-08-01, with the sponsorship of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA), the Alberta Society of Engineering Technicians was incorporated. In 1966 the name was adjusted to the Alberta Society of Engineering Technologists. Then, in 2005, the name was updated to properly reflect the broad range of disciplines in which ASET certifies, thus becoming the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta, while the established acronym ASET was retained.Governance and Operation
Although ASET interacts closely with the provincial and federal governments, it is not a governmental organization and receives no governmental funding. ASET's activities are primarily funded by annual membership dues.The association's affairs are governed by an elected council of technician and technologist members. Much of the association's operation is aided by volunteer members. A paid, administrative staff operates out of the ASET office in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, including the Executive Director who liaises with the council.
Mission Statement
- To benefit the public and the profession by being the premier regulator, service provider to and promoter of safe, high-quality professional technology practice.
Vision Statement
- To be publicly recognized as certifying and promoting technology professions to support Alberta’s success.
Former national identity through CCTT
Each of the 10 Canadian Provinces has a society similar in nature to ASET. In 1970, a coordinating body representing engineering and applied science technicians and technologists in Canada was formed, known as the Canadian Council of Technicians and TechnologistsCanadian Council of Technicians and Technologists
The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists is an organization in Canada that advocates for the profession of technicians and technologists, as well as certifying their respective educational programs....
(CCTT). Provincial societies appoint directors to CCTT for its governance. ASET has withdrawn from CCTT as of summer 2010. Since then, it has joined an organization called Technology Professionals Canada, which is not a signatory of the Sydney or Dublin Accords.
Certification
ASET includes a panel of professional members that evaluates applications for certification and registers engineering and applied science technicians and technologists who meet established Canadian standards in education and experience.Designations
ASET confers the following post-nominal designations:- C.Tech. (Certified TechnicianEngineering technicianAn engineering technician is a specialist who is trained in the skills and techniques related to a specific branch of engineering, with relatively practical understanding of the general engineering concepts...
) - C.E.T. (Certified Engineering TechnologistCertified Engineering TechnologistCertified Engineering Technologist is a Canadian professional title awarded on the basis of academic qualification and work experience. Abbreviated as C.E.T., most Canadian provincial engineering and applied science technology associations offer this certification.-Definition:The ASET website...
) - P.Tech.(Eng.) (Professional Technologist - Engineering) - Members who earn this designation have the right to practice engineering independently in accordance with established methodologies and specifications including existing codes and regulations. With this right, a member is able to sign off and stamp their own work.
Other types of ASET membership include:
- Student - enrolled in the final half of a recognized Alberta technical institute or college training program that will lead to eventual professional certification in one of the applied science, information or engineering technologies.
- T.T. (Technician/Technologist in Training) - open to any person who resides in the province of Alberta or the Canadian Territories and who graduated from a Canadian institute of technology or college whose course content is approved as being satisfactory for certification as a technician or technologist, but who has not completed the full two years' related work experience requirement.
- R.E.T. (Registered Engineering Technologist) - a senior designation still recognized in Alberta, but no longer offered
The above symbols are legally protected for use only by certified members.
ASET has issued other designations in the past, which are no longer issued in Alberta:
- A.Sc.T. (Applied Science Technologist)
- C.C.I.T. (Certified Computer Information Technologist)
ASET members who earned these designations previously were instead assigned C.E.T.
The designations conferred by ASET are recognized across Canada by provincial member organizations of Technology Professionals of Canada (TPC) and CCTT. Public recognition of the high standards required of certified technicians and technologists has grown substantially since the 1990s.
External links
Technician/Technologist Associations in other Canadian provinces