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The University of New Brunswick (UNB) and Siemens Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enrich student experiences and ensure they’re job-ready when they graduate.

Through the MOU, UNB becomes an official partner in Siemens Canada’s Dual Educational Program under the Siemens Canada Engineering & Technology Academy (SCETA). The program recruits students, starting one year before they graduate, who then complement their engineering and technology studies with Siemens expertise. The methodology-based program provides hands-on technical skills and strategic business competencies relevant to the North American market.

UNB is the first university in Atlantic Canada to become a partner in this Siemens initiative. Select graduates of the 16-month program are offered full-time positions with Siemens.

“UNB and Siemens have enjoyed a strong relationship for many years, recognizing the need for highly skilled jobs in engineering, manufacturing and research,” says Dr. Paul Mazerolle, UNB president and vice-chancellor. “This MOU will allow UNB students a unique experience training for their future careers while on the job with Siemens, expanding their skills and growing our province’s workforce.”

Students are paid a salary during the program and, upon graduation, receive a tuition credit.

“The SCETA partnership further expands the ongoing relationship between UNB and Siemens, and our activities in Atlantic Canada,” says Siemens Canada President and CEO Faisal Kazi. “We share a vision for the future of education, offering a unique opportunity to some of UNB’s best and brightest engineering minds. SCETA applies an innovative learning model ensuring graduates are work-ready in the fast-changing fields of engineering and technology. As Siemens employees, these students will have the opportunity to make significant contributions in innovative areas like smart grid and cybersecurity. Together we will be implementing a program which will be key to increasing New Brunswick’s competitiveness on a global scale.”

The program will help students learn about advanced innovation and technology, develop professional and interpersonal skills, acquire business knowledge and expand their professional network.

“The SCETA program provides a significant experiential learning opportunity for engineering students who opt to enroll in our co-op program,” says Dr. Chris Diduch, dean of engineering at UNB. “Those students who are selected will enhance their educational qualifications by working with the leading-edge experts in one of the world's foremost engineering and technology companies, and upon graduation will have the professional and workplace skills to start a successful career.”

About UNB

The University of New Brunswick is Canada's oldest English-language university. Founded in 1785, the multi-campus institution has a rich history and a dynamic focus on innovation, experiential learning and entrepreneurship. UNB has more than 10,500 students from nearly 100 countries while several thousand more take UNB courses online and at partner institutions around the world.

About Siemens Canada

Since 1912 Siemens Canada has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability. Siemens technology in the fields of electrification, automation and digitalization helps make real what matters to Canadians. From the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, Siemens Canada employees deliver solutions for sustainable energy, smart infrastructure, and the digital enterprise. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. Sales for Siemens Canada in fiscal 2018 (ended September 30), were $3 billion CAD. The company has approximately 4,800 employees and 44 locations including nine production facilities across Canada. Further information is available at siemens.ca.

Media contacts

• Sonya Gilks: Director of communications, University of New Brunswick, sonya.gilks@unb.ca 
• Ann Adair: Vice-president of communications, Siemens Canada, ann.adair@siemens.com