Dear Mr Brown,

I am a high school student and would like to study robotics or energy systems in Canada. I would like your advice and guidance to achieve my goal.

— JF

Dear JF:

I applaud your initiative in achieving your educational goals.

There are post-secondary two-year diplomas or four-year bachelor’s degree programmes that you may wish to pursue. Both are practical and assist you in working part-time while you study, and full-time after your studies. You may be able to apply for permanent residence afterwards as well.

In Canada, college programmes are designed and developed, in part, based on the support and feedback from employers and existing industries.

There is a direct link to the needs of employers and the school curriculum and experiences. The link between colleges and industry is essential. Employers generally wish to hire students who have relevant, career-related work experience. Therefore, college programmes are focused on how knowledge and skills are applied in the workplace.

Mechanical engineering: Robotics

The programmes in robotics have the prerequisites of five Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (GSEC) subjects, including English and mathematics, and deal with:

• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in automation and robotics technology;

• Full range of automation theory and practice, from basic circuitry through to its application in an automated system;

• Electromechanical technology, including mechanics, electricity, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, robotics, programmable logic controllers, motion control and human machine interface design;

• Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists and national accreditation status by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board.

Energy systems engineering

The programmes have the prerequisites of five CXC GSEC subjects, including English and mathematics, and deal with construction industry trends regarding a host of new green building initiatives that are quickly increasing awareness and the use of sustainable, integrated architecture, and engineering practices for new buildings.

The energy systems engineering technology programme teaches fundamental skills to understand energy and its uses in modern society through a blend of technical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills, as it relates to solar, wind, hydro, fuel cells, gas turbines, and biomass to feed electricity, as well as heat and air conditioning to homes and businesses.

Canadian college fair

I will be hosting a Canadian college fair in association with the Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors in Education for high school students next week (October 9 and 10, 2019) at The Knutsford Court Hotel from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Should you be interested, you are welcome to attend, which would allow you to discuss your options with a representative from some of the top schools in Canada about your interest.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel, education agent and managing director of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM — a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to jamaica2canada@gmail.com