The Association of Science & Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta
Technicians and technologists usually work in a team with other professionals. They are usually involved with the application or adaptation of technology. Performance as a certified technician or technologist requires the application of principles, methods and techniques appropriate to a field of technology. Practical knowledge of the construction, application, properties, operation and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices or materials, is usually required.
Technician
An applied science, information, or engineering technology professional who performs routine technical procedures with occasional direct supervision and who may assume limited responsibility for any decision making process.
Typical activities include testing, troubleshooting, inspection, calibration, design drafting, quality control, maintenance, modeling, data compilation, estimating, sales, surveying, field supervision, technical sales and teaching.
Uses a practical approach based on a detailed understanding of standard methods and techniques in solving technical problems.
Examines assignments, objectives and instructions to select procedures and actions to resolve the assigned problem.
The certified technician designation is C.Tech.
Technologist
An applied science, information, or engineering technology professional who is capable of assuming responsibility and exercising independent judgment to perform technical tasks and solve problems in complex technological areas with limited direct supervision.
Typical activities include design, production, marketing, testing, quality control, estimating, surveying, inspection, diagnostic evaluation, supervision, management, technical sales and teaching. Such activities may be carried out in association with other professionals.
Uses an applied approach based on a comprehensive understanding of a specific technology.
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.
May assume managerial or administrative responsibility for a wide range of technical endeavours.
May supervise and coordinate a diverse working group and train less experienced technical and professional staff.
The certified technologist designation is C.E.T.
If you have a complaint about an ASET member that refers to unskilled practice or breach of the ASET Code of Ethics, forward a written complaint to the ASET Registrar. This complaint should be received directly to they Registrar either by email or paper mail in order to ensure confidentiality (mark the envelope or subject line confidential).
If the matter does not relate to unethical or unskilled practice such as an employee being frequently late, it may be determined that the matter would not be under ASET’s jurisdiction to address. If you are unsure about whether or not the complaint relates to unskilled or unethical practice you are encouraged to contact the Registrar to discuss the concerns. For more information, visit the Complaints section on the Protecting the Public page.
All regulated ASET members must comply with the CPD Program. This includes:
Regulated members who are self-employed or practicing outside of Alberta must also comply with the program.
Retired members, students, Technicians- or Technologists-in-Training members are not subject to the requirements of the ASET CPD Program.
For the purposes of the ASET CPD Program, “continuing professional development” is defined as any learning activity that meets at least one of the following criteria:
Ask yourself two questions: “Does this activity make me a better practitioner?” and “Does this activity advance the profession?” If the answer to either of these questions is “Yes” the activity qualifies as CPD.
A minimum of two activities that must be selected from at least two of the four categories of professional development activities listed.
Login in to the Members Area to access the CPD online log.
No. Your mentor will guide you in your career development goals by providing advice, information, and guidance. You are responsible for your own job search.
Please contact the ASET office should you run into any difficulties throughout your mentorship. If there is incompatibility for any reason, you and your mentor will be asked to comment so appropriate follow-up action can be taken including matching you with a new mentor, if needed.
No. Mentors and mentees connected for career investigation typically correspond via phone or email. Mentors and mentees in a mentoring partnership may form a similar informal connection or may choose to establish a more formal mentoring relationship. The mentoring partnership is designed to be as flexible as possible. The mentee and mentor are encouraged to discuss and establish an approach that best meets their needs.
The information that was provided in your application form will be used to match you with a mentee. ASET staff will use the database to coordinate matches and will inform you about your mentee when this is complete.
The information that you provided in your application form will be used to match you with a mentor in the field you selected. ASET staff will use the database to coordinate matches and will inform you about your mentor when this is complete.
No. Your role is to guide your mentee in their career development by providing advice, information, and guidance. Mentees are responsible for their own job search.
Please contact the ASET office should you run into any difficulties throughout your mentoring relationship. If there is incompatibility for any reason, you and your mentee will be asked to comment so appropriate follow-up action can be taken including matching you with a new mentee, if needed.
Only if you are comfortable doing so and if you have contacted them and they are comfortable.
Professional technologists must meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Professional Technologists Regulation (AR 283/2009), which include being a C.E.T. member in good standing with ASET and demonstrating six years of relevant work experience, with two years under the direct supervision and control of a P.Eng. or P.Geo. Please review the application process for more information.
The professional reference who attests to two years of work experience under direct supervision and control need not be the P.Tech. applicant’s immediate supervisor. Often, a P.Eng. or P.Geo. working in the same or in another department of the organization or contracted by the organization takes responsibility for work performed by reviewing and stamping all relevant documents. In this case, the P.Tech. applicant must seek a reference from the professional member performing this function.
Applicants seeking certification with ASET are required to complete the National Professional Practice Exam. P.Tech. applicants who wrote the national exam as part of the application process for C.E.T. are not required to rewrite the exam.
A Professional Technologist (Engineering) is licensed by ASET to practice engineering independently within a defined scope of practice and within established methodologies and specifications, including existing codes and standards.
A Professional Licensee (Engineering) is licensed by APEGA to practice engineering independently within a defined scope of practice and within established methodologies and specifications and/or original concepts (R&D).
The choice between P.Tech.(Eng.) and P.L.(Eng.) should be based on what type of work you are currently performing or plan to perform in the future. If you are not required to take responsibility for work related to new concepts, the P.Tech.(Eng.) is a suitable option.
The P.Tech. designation is granted with a defined scope of practice. To change your scope of practice, you must reapply with all required documentation for review by the Joint Board of Examiners.
No, a professional technologist who engages in the practice of engineering or geoscience in his or her own name does not require a permit to practice. However, if the same individual practices through an organization, the organization requires a permit to practice even if the member is the only employee.
No, unless the professional technologist is also an active member of APEGA (for example, a professional licensee), the individual cannot be listed as a responsible member under an APEGA permit to practice.
Yes, a professional technologist can work under an APEGA permit to practice if the individual is supervised by a responsible member listed on the APEGA permit to practice.
Yes, a professional technologist can stamp work they perform under an APEGA permit to practice. The professional technologist's personal stamp must be accompanied by the APEGA permit stamp or number.
An organization employing only professional technologists or an organization wishing to establish its professional technologists as responsible members under a permit to practice for the purpose of supervising work performed, must obtain an ASET permit to practice. In this case, the personal stamp of the professional technologist must be accompanied by the ASET permit stamp or number.
Any person (member of ASET, the public, industry, and so forth) may submit a complaint regarding the conduct of a permit holder. Complaints against ASET permit holders are reviewed by the ASET/APEGA Joint Investigation Committee and may be referred to the Joint Discipline Committee if necessary.
Determination of unprofessional conduct and unskilled practice is based on conduct that a) is detrimental to the best interests of the public; b) contravenes a code of ethics of the profession as established under legislation; c) harms or tends to harm the standing of the profession generally; d) displays a lack of knowledge or lack of skill or judgment in the practice of the profession; or e) displays a lack of knowledge or lack of skill or judgment in the carrying out of any duty or obligation undertaken in the practice of the profession.
The results of the discipline process will depend on the nature of the complaint but may result in prosecution, fines, conditions to practice such as periodic inspection or restrictions from engaging in sole practice, and cancellation of membership for individual members.
Yes, if a parent company or joint venture group holds a permit to practice, any subsidiary of that company that engages in the practice of engineering or geoscience must also hold a permit if the subsidiary is a separate entity with a different name.
If you have immediate postings you would like to advertise, visit the ASET Career Centre and register as an employer for free. Once you’ve completed these quick, easy steps, you can submit your job. Thereafter, you can manage and edit your submissions.
ASET evaluates the qualifications of applicants against national technology benchmarks and only those who demonstrate their competency, and remain ASET members in good standing, can use the following designations: