Mitch Thygesen (left) fabricated a small oxy-fuel cutting table
under the instruction of Kwantlen faculty Robert Finlayson (right).

 

For immediate release

March 4, 2009
 

Kwantlen ACE-IT partnership accelerates learning for local high school students

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) Kwantlen Polytechnic University, in partnership with Industry Training Authority in B.C., has been providing innovative educational opportunities to local high school students through its Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE-IT) program. ACE-IT enables high school students in grade 11 and 12 to study in post-secondary trades and technology programs prior to completing high school, and earn course credits to further pursue an apprenticeship or a program credential from the university.

Mitch Thygesen, a high school student from Langley who participated in the ACE-IT program, chose Kwantlen to receive hands-on training in metal fabrication and learn practical skills. Towards the end of the program, Thygesen and his classmates applied their skills and fabricated small oxy-fuel cutting tables as their final project. These tables were put to use in other Kwantlen workshops.

“Mitch did a great job of completing the frame, which is the culmination of many weeks of training at Kwantlen Cloverdale Campus in the metal fabrication program,” remarked Robert Finlayson, Kwantlen metal fabrication faculty. “This program gives students the opportunity they need to gain the skills to enter into a dynamic metal fabrication career.”

For more information about the ACE-IT program at Kwantlen, visit: www.kwantlen.ca/trades/aceit

Kwantlen’s Cloverdale Campus is also hosting an Open House for its trades and technology programs on Friday, March 6 from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. There will be opportunities to talk to faculty and students, and see program workshops and live demos, featuring many trades and technology programs.

Kwantlen’s metal fabrication program was established in 2004 and has now evolved into a much sought after program over this short time period. This program is one of the many innovative educational options at Kwantlen that helps students acquire cutting-edge skills and succeed in today’s job market. For more information, visit: www.kwantlen.ca/trades

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For more information about Kwantlen Faculty of Trade and Technology or ACE-IT, contact:
Dana Goedbloed
Dean, Faculty of Trades and Technology
Tel: 604.598.6101
dana.goedbloed@kwantlen.ca  

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Peter Chevrier
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2286
peter.chevrier@kwantlen.ca