Employers and students gathered for the Architecture - Construction Engineering Technology (ACET) program’s annual networking event, held on January 24 at the Cambridge - Reuter Drive campus.
The event is an opportunity for students from all three years to meet with building industry representatives to learn about career opportunities in different sectors. It’s also a chance for industry to see the third-year capstone projects and a few second-year major projects.
The Most Professional 3rd Year Capstone project was awarded a $500 cash prize donated by the Grand Valley Construction Association at this year’s event. Network 2024 attracted 30 companies in the fields of architects, associations, consulting engineers, general contractors, specialty services, and subtrades/suppliers. Companies in attendance included Tacoma Engineers, ABA Architects, Ball Construction, Melloul-Blamey Construction and Zehr Group.
Representatives meet co-op students and upcoming graduates looking for summer and permanent employment in construction, along with promote the industry as an area of career opportunities.
“The ACET annual networking event is always a great opportunity to display our students’ talents and introduce them to Industry representatives. We’re so incredibly thankful to the 89 industry representatives who gave their time and donations to make this event a success,” said Diane Burchett, chair in the School of Engineering & Technology.
“The event, planned and run by the ACET faculty, provides our students an opportunity to meet with representatives and learn more about potential career paths. After a short break, those same representatives were then able to review the capstone project work submitted and presented by the students.”
Burchett was impressed by the great questions asked on both sides and the “all-time high” energy at the evening gathering. “I had a wonderful time speaking with some of the representatives and was excited to learn some of them were also graduates of the ACET program.”
Conestoga's three-year ACET program gives students broad and thorough training in all phases of the building industry, including industry standards and working conditions. Challenging projects encompass building design, building performance, working drawings, building systems, universal design, building science, sustainability, and renewable energy.
The School of Engineering & Technology offers a comprehensive suite of programs with a wide range of credentials in areas including architecture, civil, construction, mechanical and electronics. Conestoga is Ontario’s only college to offer fully accredited engineering degrees.