Sustainable energy technology students at Lakeland College have a new option to consider for advancing their education thanks to a transfer agreement with the Northern Alberta Institution of Technology (NAIT).

Students in the sustainable energy technology install solar panels during the onsite portion of thier program.The new agreement, signed in December 2022, ensures that students who graduate from Lakeland's sustainable energy technology diploma program are eligible to enter into NAIT's bachelor of technology program.

“It's exciting to have another educational pathway for our students,” says Brad Onofrychuk, Lakeland's dean of business and energy. “Sustainable energy is an essential and growing industry, and our students graduate with the technical skills they need to make a difference in this critical field. Through this partnership, our students will be able to continue their education and further develop the leadership skills they need to leave a lasting mark in the world of sustainable energy.”

Students in Lakeland's diploma program study solar, wind, biofuel and geo-exchange topics. They learn about efficient building construction, sustainable design, and the design and installation techniques for solar photovoltaics, solar hot water, micro-wind and geothermal systems. Students can earn a one-year certificate or a two-year diploma, studying full or part time. While courses are delivered online, students spend a week on campus involved in hands-on labs, including bio-fuel labs and solar panel installation.

Lakeland also offers a variety of sustainable energy microcredential courses.

At NAIT, the bachelor of technology degree is the only program of its kind in Alberta. It offers graduates with a recognized two-year technology diploma the opportunity to complete only two additional years of education to earn a degree. It is designed to assist technologists to thrive in managerial roles, adding leadership and critical thinking skills to the technical ones learned while earning the diploma.

“We are thrilled to partner with Lakeland on the creation of this pathway and we are eager to welcome highly trained energy technology diploma students into our industry-respected undergraduate degree,” says Dennis Sheppard, dean, NAIT's JR Shaw School of Business.

Photo: Students in the sustainable energy technology install solar panels during the onsite portion of thier program.