The 37th AGM (April 2005) approved amending By-Law 17.02 CERTIFIED MEMBERS b) to the following words;

Certified members currently granted the use of "CET" Certified Engineering Technologist, "AScT" Applied Science Technologist, or "CCIT" Certified Communication Information Technologist, may continue to use these designations while remaining a Society member in good standing; however, members may request in writing, along with the return of their original wall certificate, a one-time change to the "PTech" Professional Technologist designation.  The new replacement wall certificate stating "PTech" Professional Technologist will retain the original certification date and membership number.  Should the member also have a technology stamp, that also must be returned for replacement.

b) Members dependent upon Certification Board recommendation for certification in all (Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists) CCTT global accepted applied science disciplines, and by Council approval, may be awarded the title Professional Technologist, be granted henceforth, the designation and will be entitled to use the initials PTech following their name in all instances, effective September 01, 2005.

Members, dependent upon Certification Board recommendation for certification in all CCTT global accepted applied science disciplines, and by Council approval, may be awarded the title Certified Technician, be granted henceforth the designation, and will be entitled to use the initials CTech following their name in all instances.

Existing certified members, maintaining their good standing, who have been awarded the title Certified Technician, shall retain this designation, and will be entitled to use the initials CTech following their name in all instances.

Existing certified members, maintaining their good standing, who have been awarded the designation Certified Engineering Technologist, shall retain this designation and use the initials CET following their name in all instances, but may irrevocably choose to change their designation title to Professional Technologist, and henceforth use the initials PTech, following their name in all instances.

Existing certified members, maintaining their good standing, who have been awarded or chosen the title Applied Science Technologist shall retain this designation and use the initials AScT following their name in all instances, but, may irrevocably chose to change their designation title to Professional Technologist, and henceforth use the initials PTech following their name in all instances.

Existing certified members, maintaining their good standing, who have been awarded the designation Certified Engineering Technician, shall retain this designation and use the initials CET following their name in all instances but, may irrevocably choose to change their designation title to Certified Technician, and henceforth use the initials CTech following their name in all instances.

The New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (NBSCETT) was originally formed by a handful of technicians and technologists meeting in Saint John; as an association to generate recognition of the role in the workplace of certified engineering technicians and technologists, and to assist the post-secondary training facilities of the province to produce the highest standard of graduate possible for work in the engineering and applied science technology fields.

The Society's "Letters Patent" were received January 12, 1968; and the New Brunswick Legislature on June 18, 1986, assented to the Engineering Technology Act, which provides legal recognition of the Society; and gives the authority for accreditation of training, certification, protection of titles, and powers of discipline for members. The Engineering Technology Act , considered by many as a national benchmark in legislation for technicians and technologists, gives a new enhanced status to the "Occupation of Engineering Technology". NBSCETT is a Constituent Member of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) and a participant in the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB). The Society's Accreditation Board and Certification Board function under guidelines agreed to by all CCTT Constituent Member associations across the country, and support the Transfer Endorsement Agreement, allowing for the unequivocal national.

People outside the engineering/applied science field, and even some of those inside it, are not always clear on the distinctions between a technician and a technologist. By themselves, these are not two titles but simply words, they are not owned or copyrighted by anyone. Increasingly, and unfortunately for all publics, many other jobs are becoming titled Technician; such as Accounting Technician, Inspection Technician, or Brake Technician.

There is however, a distinct difference between those names and a Certified Technician or a Professional/Certified Technologist, especially as these two designations relate to NBSCETT and the Engineering Technology Act; and to the engineering / applied sciences community. The titles Certified Engineering Technician (CET), Certified Technician (CTech), Certified Engineering Technologist (CET), Professional Technologists (PTech),and Applied Science Technologist (AScT) are formal professional designations which are copyright protected by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT); and are granted to, and may only be used by the members of CCTT Constituent Members, such as NBSCETT, and are controlled by the Engineering Technology Act.

Employers naturally have the right to call their employees whatever they wish, and some title all "technical" positions as technician, while others use both technician and technologist. Many employers have implemented the use of both titles using NBSCETT's certification system as a guideline, a move which the Society wholeheartedly supports, since it directly relates to the certification of the individuals themselves.

How does NBSCETT differentiate between a technician and a technologist? Why do some applicants receive technician status and others technologist? The following profiles have been developed by NBSCETT to answer many of these common questions. An important point to remember about certification by NBSCETT in any category is that the requirements include both academic training and related experience. An acceptable combination of these two elements is essential -- in other words, a wealth of experience is not sufficient, by itself, for certification. Academic training (preferably from an accredited Community College engineering/applied science program) in the form of a diploma, certificate or proof of equivalency, is absolutely essential. In addition, the differences between technician and technologist include both academic training and type of work experience, as the profiles will illustrate. It is especially important to reach young women with the message that they too care capable of and entitled to a career in one of the engineering or applied science technologies. Technology is creating new challenges and demanding new skills from workers. Without the necessary skills and knowledge, women will be unable to take advantage of new, well paid opportunities in the global workplace.

NBSCETT membership categories are; Technology Graduate In Training (TGIT); Associate member; and Certified member. The TGIT member has acquired the academic pre-requisites for certification, but not the required twenty-four months of relevant work experience. The Associate member is employed in an engineering/applied science field, yet lacks some of the required academic credits for certification.

 

WHAT IS A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN ?

The Certified Technician (CTech) or Certified Engineering Technician (CET) is a professional capable of carrying out responsible and varied technical tasks usually in a specialized portion of the fields of applied science or engineering technology. Through the accumulation of academic qualifications, training and experience, the technician assumes responsibility for many aspects of work within this specialized portion of the field of practice. The technician is a graduate of an accredited certificate program (typically one or two years duration) or equivalent, who has completed two or more years of progressive experience in an area of work directly related to the program and who has received favourable supervisory references.

The Certified Technician has studied a curriculum based upon a core of applied mathematics and science fundamentals essential to the discipline of study. The academic and theoretical portion of a program of training is suitably reinforced by laboratory and project experience amounting to approximately one third of the total program.

The Certified Technician generally uses a practical approach in solving technical problems based upon a detailed understanding of standard methods and techniques. The technician works under general supervision in areas such as engineering, architecture, building, surveying, forestry, bio-sciences, chemistry, and resource or systems management. Typical activities include testing, troubleshooting, inspection, calibration, design drafting, quality control, maintenance, modelling, data compilation, estimation, sales, surveying, and field supervision.

The Certified Technician examines assignments, objectives and instructions to select procedures and actions to resolve the assigned problem. While some duties of the technician may be similar to skilled crafts or trades workers, these duties would usually apply to some sophisticated equipment or processes and be of a non-routine nature. Many of the duties of the technician are similar to those of technologists and other professionals, but normally will be in a specific area of specialization. Many technicians, through long experience in the field, become recognized as technical experts. The certified technician is bound by a professional code of ethics and is recognized throughout Canada by either the designation CTech or CET.

WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL TECHNOLOGIST ?

The Professional Technologist (PTech) or Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) or Applied Science Technologist (AScT) is a professional capable of assuming and exercising independent judgement to develop and manage technology. This is achieved by the accumulation of academic training and related experience in the application of known principles of sciences and mathematics. The certified technologist is a graduate of a nationally accredited technology diploma program (typically two or three years duration) or equivalent, who has completed two or more years of progressive experience in an area of work directly related to the program and who has received favourable supervisory references.

The Professional Technologist has studied a curriculum based upon a core of applied sciences which will be used in solving technical problems or managing technology. The curriculum includes the fundamentals of applied science or engineering technology applicable to a particular discipline or specialty of technology. The academic and theoretical portions of the technical curriculum is reinforced by suitable laboratory experiments, exercises and field work amounting to approximately one third of the total program.

The Professional Technologist may carry out a wide range of complex analytical work either independently or under general direction in fields such as engineering, architecture, building, surveying, bio-science, chemistry and resource or systems management. Typical activities include design, production, marketing, testing, quality control, estimation, surveying, inspection, diagnostic evaluation, supervision, management, technical sales and teaching. Such activities may be carried out in association with other professionals.

The Professional Technologist uses an applied approach based on a comprehensive understanding of a specific technology. The technologist evaluates assignments, determines procedures and implements solutions, schedules work to meet objectives, participates in short and long-range planning and may become involved in developing and promoting conceptual change.

Technologists may assume managerial or administrative responsibility for a wide range of technical endeavours. The technologist may supervise and coordinate a diverse working group and train less experienced technical and professional staff. The certified technologist is bound by a professional code of ethics, the Engineering Technology Act of New Brunswick, and is recognized by either the designation PTech, CET, or AScT throughout Canada.

 

WHY BE CERTIFIED ?

As the certification of technicians and technologists becomes more commonplace, it is clear that business, industry and government will be implementing these categories into their work structures. In many cases it is the employer which is the driving force behind an individual's desire for certification. NBSCETT is finding that as the employers realize all the benefits to their organization and their technical staff, they are demanding or requesting certification of all their "techs".

Employers want to be sure about what they're getting, and with the constant changes in training levels, the variety of non- New Brunswick trained individuals available, and the speed of technical change, NBSCETT certification is one way to ensure an individual has met a recognized national standard. NBSCETT recommends employers use the phrase, ..."applicants must be eligible to be and maintain membership in the New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists." in employment opportunity advertisements for all technical positions, as well as the employer's job descriptions for non-posted technical positions.

Employers often inform NBSCETT that they value the Code of Ethics under which members practice, as well as the extra measure of credibility their organization enjoys when using and advertising certified personnel. This is particularly relevant for contractors and consultants, since certification illustrates a concern for competence and quality.

It is NBSCETT's intention to maintain, and increase if necessary, the standards by which certification is granted. This is absolutely essential in order to retain the credibility and recognition already achieved. There is no acceptable reason to lower standards in order to simply increase membership numbers....the value of certification for all members and all publics would then be lost.

NBSCETT: is striving to maintain technical quality within the New Brunswick Community College system; is working with technicians about upgrading they must complete to apply for reclassification to technologist; is continuing to work for the recognition of members; and, is endeavouring to impress upon the elementary and secondary school systems a need for guidance towards careers in science and technology for New Brunswick youth.

The Society's role in this province is not only to administer the Engineering Technology Act, but also to support and maintain nationally recognized levels of post-secondary engineering and applied science training programs through an accreditation process involving Certified Engineering Technologists/Technicians of New Brunswick and of other Constituent Member societies of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT). This training program review and accreditation process involving certified individuals, recognized by their industry, are able to bring up-to-date input to the particular discipline curriculum.
The short and long term effects on these accredited training programs when graduates do not undertake certified membership in this self-governing body are quite self evident. Since the national accreditation process requires certified members, and if the membership support to the Society is not maintained, then the training programs currently accredited in this province will fail to receive that designation in just five years. Should this occur, the New Brunswick workforce will be filled with individuals who have been given training which may not be up to any recognized level for certification, and employers will be looking everywhere else, (especially outside New Brunswick) for new employees. The same would hold true for any such organization involved in accrediting training for the future and the support is not maintained.

New Brunswick's economic future depends on the skills and knowledge of members in the workforce, and on the effectiveness with which these can be applied to new opportunities. NBSCETT participates in the Canadian Technology Human Resource Board's maintenance of the Canadian National Reference Standards; competency based standards for technicians and technologists in the thirteen technology field disciplines; architecture and building; biosciences; chemical; civil engineering; electrical; electronics; forestry; instrumentation; mechanical; mineral resources; petroleum; and survey.

Benefits to individual members include:

• the legal right to work in New Brunswick as a Certified Technician/ Professional Technologist;
• under provisions of the ETA use the designation, PTech, CET, CTech or AScT;
• display a formal certificate of membership; academics and experience recognized internationally - wear the internationally recognized Technology ring
• the advantage of employment mobility and designation transfer across Canada
• opportunity to serve at the Branch, Provincial or National level in a progressive professional association, working exclusively for member's needs
• participation in consumer benefits including: employment referral services; Professional Liability Insurance; Investment Portfolios; Home/Auto/Health/Life Insurance; Auto Rental and Leasing programs; academic upgrading; Compensation Surveys; and newsletters.

Should you require any further detailed information of the NBSCETT or its activities and endevours, or assistance in a search for qualified individuals as employees, please do not hesitate to contact this office.