Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

The Fisheries and Marine Institute’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technician diploma has been accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB), a standing committee of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) and represented in Newfoundland and Labrador by the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador (AETTNL).

“We are very proud of our program and this accreditation reinforces the strength of our offering and the quality education and training our students receive,” said Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute). “Graduates and future graduates of this program should be confident that their education is well-respected.”

The Marine Institute’s ROV technician diploma is the only program of its kind in Canada, preparing students to work with a wide range of vehicles, perform ROV maintenance, understand ROV systems and work safely in unique ocean environments.

“Accreditation speaks to the strength of our program,” said Dwight Howse, head, School of Ocean Technology. “It also confirms that our courses are preparing students with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of employers. Since 2007, more than 120 students have graduated from MI’s ROV Technician Program and are working in their field of choice, with another 30 preparing to begin workterms this summer.”

“As the professional association representing certified engineering technicians and technologists in Newfoundland and Labrador, AETTNL was proud to be part of this accreditation in support of recognizing the program’s quality of technical education as achieved against national standards,” said Newton Pritchett, president, AETTNL, and CTAB accreditation team member for the program. “As a result of this accreditation, AETTNL is pleased to offer graduates from this program, who now automatically satisfy the academic requirements for certification, the opportunity to become certified members, with the option for interprovincial mobility between associations. The students, program, and institution are to be commended on achieving national accreditation as it is a true mark of quality in education and in opportunity for career success.” 

National accreditation is an evaluation service of applied science and engineering technology programs offered at private and public colleges and other educational institutes in Canada. It is a voluntary process whereby a program is examined and assessed for the purpose of identifying whether it meets the profession's approved standards and criteria.

Programs accredited by CTAB are recognized in Canada and internationally among the countries of Australia, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States. This as a result of the Dublin Accord, an agreement for the international recognition of engineering technician qualifications which was signed in 2002.

CTAB is a standing committee of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists that was established in 1982 to manage the accreditation of post-secondary applied science and engineering technology programs in Canada. CCTT is the national voice on issues such as pan-Canadian standards, national and international mobility and national accreditation of technology programs. AETTNL is an organization that represents the interests of technicians and technologists in Newfoundland and Labrador.