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Selkirk College News Release: “Renewable Resource technology - accreditation and transfer agreements key to program flexibility”

Students who want to pursue challenging and healthy outdoor careers in Renewable Resource management have many educational options that can lead to a variety of job opportunities as well as future academic and professional credentials. The Selkirk College School of Renewable Resources has added value to their core technical programs in Forest Technology, Integrated Environmental Planning Technology, Recreation Fish & Wildlife Technology and Advanced GIS (Geographical Information Systems) by pursuing recognized accreditation and by formalizing transfer partnerships with other institutions.

Recent accreditation with the Canadian Council of Technologists & Technicians (CCTT) for Forest Technology and Integrated Environmental Planning Technology means that these programs have met a rigorous national standard recognized by professional organizations such as the Association of British Columbia Forest Professionals (ABCFP). Dwight Yochim, Communications Manager ABCFP is an authority on the role of CCTT accreditation and forestry professionals, “A graduate of a CCTT accredited college has proven they have completed their formal education and are well on their way to registration as a Registered Forest Technologist,” he says. “Attaining accreditation for Forest Technology and Integrated Environmental Planning Technology has created new pathways for our graduates”, says School of Renewable Resources Chair Peter Schroder. “We are very proud to be the first college in BC to attain accreditation with CCTT for these disciplines”. Adding to this achievement, Selkirk’s Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Program is recognized with full accreditation from the North America Wildlife Technology Association (NAWTA).

Formalized transfer agreements are a second way to provide flexibility for students. By forging agreements with other academic institutions, graduates from the School of Renewable Resources technical programs have streamlined options in the pursuit of future academic credentials. Schroder notes “Today’s students at all levels are very interested in where their education can lead in terms of employment opportunities and future personal growth.” Transfer agreements can help, so students can gain hands-on technical training at the diploma level and not lose time en-route to degrees or can gain advanced credit for work they have done at other institutions in the pursuit of applied technical training. Selkirk College Renewable Resource graduates have successfully gained transfer credit at the following institutions:

• Selkirk College Advanced Diploma in GIS,
• Royal Roads University
• University of Lethbridge
• University of Alberta
• University of Northern British Columbia
• Thompson Rivers University
• University of Montana
• University of Idaho
• University of British Columbia
• Seneca College
• BCIT
• NAIT

The role of two year technical diploma programs are to provide relevant, hands on, field based training that is accredited and recognized for transfer so that graduates are immediately employable in a variety of disciplines and can transfer the skills they have learned towards future academic pursuits and professional advancement.

For more information about training in Renewable Resource technologies contact Pete Schroder at Selkirk College. Phone (250) 365-1287
E-mail: pschroder@selkirk.ca
Website: www.selkirk.ca/rr

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