Our Approach

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The protection of the environment is everybody’s business.  But there are a few specialists who make it their full-time jobs. Part of the effort involves a diverse body of professionals working in what is sometimes referred to as the Environment Industry. On the policy and social science side, these professionals include Economists, Political Scientists and Lawyers. On the natural science and technology side, they include Biologists, Engineers, Chemists, Geologists and a very important crew of Environmental Technicians and Technologists who assist primarily with field work, data management, inspection and enforcement.

In reference to the Environment Industry, it is often useful to distinguish the Natural Resource Management Sector from the Environmental Protection Sector (for a more thorough treatment of the different categories in the Environment Industry visit the Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry site: www.eco.ca). The former includes work focusing on Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, etc. The latter sector includes the protection of air, water and land quality in general as well as waste management more specifically. It is this sector that Kwantlen’s EPT Program targets, and often requires more training in and use of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Along with the technical courses, our program is designed to provide the student with a well-rounded understanding of Environmental Issues and Policy.

Kwantlen’s program was recognized as a much needed and high quality one at its inception in 1990 and has continued to improve and mature. The program is a demanding one in terms of student work load but the rewards are great. Our graduates have a very high job placement rate (more than 80% of graduates are hired within 3 months of finishing the program) as environmental technicians, technologists and officers with industry, government and environmental consultants. Our very successful Co-op work component is an important part of this.

In addition to a very helpful industrial and community advisory committee, the quality of the program and our graduates is recognized by it being fully accredited at the Technology level by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB) of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT). This accreditation process ensures the Environmental Protection Technology program meets the highest national standards for environmental education and training. This accreditation is granted after a thorough review by an external committee of practising Environmental Technologists and Engineers. Students and graduates of the program are eligible to join the provincial association, the Association of Applied Science Technicians and Technologists of B.C. (ASTTBC).

Kwantlen’s Environmental Protection Technology (EPT) Program is a two-year diploma program that prepares the graduate for technical work in the environmental field. Courses and two paid Co-op work terms give the student practical knowledge and experience in environmental protection technology, impact assessment, waste minimization and management, air and water pollution monitoring and control, and contaminated site investigations. The program also provides the student with a foundation in Biology, Ecology, Toxicology and Environmental Legislation.

Graduates of the program experience a very high employment rate as Environmental Technologists. Those who wish to further their education can take advantage of numerous transfer opportunities to degree programs.

This program is currently offered at Kwantlen’s Langley campus.