Connection to RDP continues after convocation
Tristan Wine’s connection to Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has extended beyond graduation.
After earning an Engineering Technology Diploma at RDP in 2019, Tristan worked for more than a year and then decided to further his education in Camosun College’s Engineering Bridge program in 2021.
That summer, he began working as an Applied Research Technician in the Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC) as part of his Engineering program’s co-op placement. As a Technology Access Centre, the CIM-TAC is a 15,000 square foot innovative hub that helps entrepreneurs with product and process development, improvement through technical services and applied research.
After one year at Camosun College, Tristan enrolled at the University of Victoria, where he is in his fourth year of an Electrical Engineering Degree. His post-secondary education, including at RDP, has helped to prepare him for his job in the CIM-TAC.
“The skills and knowledge that I have acquired throughout my courses and post-secondary opportunities have directly helped me perform the duties of an Applied Research Technician at RDP,” he says.
Having received meaningful work experiences in his Engineering co-op placement at the Polytechnic, Tristan returned to the four-month co-op placement in the summer of 2022.
“I wanted to further specialize my knowledge in control systems, moving parts and robotics,” he explains. “This job has helped me to acquire that knowledge by providing me with the physical and software tools to learn and develop projects for clients in the real world.”
Tristan has collaborated with several clients and colleagues in the CIM-TAC on projects that include a solar panel washer for Wash-Bots and solar hand wash stations for Nipiy Industries.
“In my job, I have provided electrical expertise and knowledge about power systems, photovoltaics, rotating machines, motors and electronics,” adds Tristan, who is working in a third co-op placement, which runs from May to December 2023. “My colleagues and I have developed apps, tested equipment and prototypes and collected data.”
While working at the Polytechnic, Tristan has been further preparing for a career in engineering by being immersed in real-world situations.
“I’m performing duties that I enjoy in an environment that will likely resemble my future work,” he says. “While I have completed tasks that include conducting research, testing and developing, I have also experienced other aspects of a career in engineering such as interacting with clients.”
Tristan was the electrical lead on the solar panel washer project for Wash-Bots, which provided opportunities for him to assume a leadership role.
“I wanted to gain more experience working with clients to develop practical and innovative solutions for their engineering challenges and RDP was the perfect environment to do that,” notes Tristan. “With representatives from Wash-Bots, I attended meetings, provided updates, explained the designs and welcomed feedback, which was really good experience.”
Tristan’s collaborations with Nipiy Industries and Wash-Bots are just some of the examples of projects that have been conducted in the CIM-TAC. In 2022, more than 1,300 engagements were made with business and industry partners and 73 projects were initiated in the CIM-TAC.
The CIM-TAC offers $7.6 million in prototype and advanced manufacturing equipment, including 3D printers, laser scanners, laser cutting machine, waterjet cutter and a thermal vacuum former.