With four campuses located across Saskatchewan, Sask Polytech offers over 150 programs with high graduate employment rates. It currently has a 96% overall graduate employment rate and 91% of employers say they would hire a Sask Polytech grad again. Sask Polytech is a member of Polytechnics Canada, an alliance of researchintensive, internationally recognized post-secondary institutions committed to creating high-quality jobs for the future. TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLED TRADES Brenda Suru is the Dean for the Faculty of Technology and Skilled Trades, one of the four faculties at Sask Polytech. This faculty encompasses four schools and almost 60 programs, which include most of the engineering, technology and trades training at Sask Polytech. This future-forward programming is as diverse as the sectors it connects to—from agriculture and mining to technology, natural resources and renewable energy. Most of these programs include work-integrated learning and applied research opportunities. By fostering strong industry connections, Sask Polytech curriculum is relevant to today’s labor market. Suru explains that most of her programs have a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) made up of eight to 14 members from both the public and private sectors. “PACs are made up of industry representatives, government officials, as well as some of our accrediting bodies,” she explains. “Sask Polytech is closely aligned with industry needs and changes. We rely on the PAC’s guidance for our curriculum and involve them extensively in our processes. For example, most of the major Saskatchewan mining companies are represented on our PACs.” Suru notes that trade programs are advised by trade boards, the equivalent of a PAC, to ensure these programs are aligned with the needs of skilled trades training in the province. Many programs also offer paid cooperative education work terms.“That’s another way we have a connection with industry,” Suru adds. “Our students are in high demand. And when they come back from working on the job, they have so much more to share in the 3 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 10 SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC
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