Sask. Polytechnic held its annual open house event this week, which allowed prospective students to learn more about the wide range of programs offered by the school and perhaps find something they wish to pursue.
The event took place between Oct. 23 – 26, holding two sessions a day to allow more students the opportunity to attend.
For the event, civil engineering technologies instructor Shawn Lamothe provided a tour and some information on courses offered by Sask. Polytechnic. According the Lamothe, the event plays a vital role in encouraging more students to join the program.
“It’s fantastic to see, especially when we have the involvement of Prairie South (School Division) and Holy Trinity (Catholic School Division) and we can get them in with their students,” he said.
“It would be nice to be able to bring in the entire group of Grade 12 (students) independently and show them through for career stuff, and that’s our goal that we’re trying to work with – to get those schools and those councillors involved,” he added.
Lamothe said the program would ideally include a tour of the campus section by section. “I’m sure there isn’t a program here that wouldn’t be helped or happy to help tour all these people through.
“We do see enrolment down in domestic students, so we put so much effort chasing students everywhere else because our domestic enrolment has always been high. Since COVID-19 we do see that little dent in (the enrolment rate of) domestic students, and it’s just coming back now.”
He said the domestic enrolment is currently down around 10 per cent of the average, and he’s hopeful about the numbers returning to the average in the near future. Events such as this help recruit more domestic students into the school.
Another benefit from the open house event is to showcase the programs offered by Sask. Polytechnic.
“It’s great to see the community coming in here and knowing what we do,” Lamothe said. “There’s nothing worse than running into people in public somewhere and (hearing), ‘oh, Sask. Poly. — you guys are a business school!’” Lamothe said the number of times he has heard this conversation in public is significant.
“Do we have a business program at the school? Yes, but we are not a business school. There’s many different (programs) between trades and engineering technologies that are here as well,” he stated.
The range of programs available at Sask. Polytechnic include automotive services, electrical engineering, computer engineering, civil and water environment technologies, and electronic design and drafting technology. There are also trades including carpentry, welding, and architecture.
“There are so many programs that we offer here outside of (the business program), and that’s the thing I want to make sure people get to hear,” Lamothe said.
Lamothe is also the temporary program head who runs tours of the campus and said he’ll be happy to assist anyone looking to learn more about what Sask. Polytechnic has to offer.
“If it’s one-on-one, we’re happy to facilitate a… tour. If you want to come in with your family and friends, send us an email and we’ll set up a time and walk you through, no problem at all,” he confirmed.
To contact Shawn Lamothe to book a tour or for more information specific to the civil engineering technologies program at Sask. Polytechnic, call 306-630-2660 or email [email protected].
Sask. Polytechnic’s Moose Jaw campus is located at 600 Saskatchewan Street West and can be reached at 1-866-467-4278.
In response to some providers blocking access to Canadian news on their platforms, our website, MooseJawToday.com will continue to be your source for hyper-local Moose Jaw news. Bookmark MooseJawToday.com and sign up for our free online newsletter to read the latest local developments.
