The Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary is undertaking a major renovation and expansion to meet the growing demand for engineers in the province.
“In Alberta, we’re focused on investing in infrastructure and growing our highly skilled workforce,” said Premier Alison Redford.
“By giving the University of Calgary a new, expanded space for its engineering school, we can increase the capacity to educate more engineers who can help us meet our goals and keep building Alberta. This is a great investment in our province’s future.”
Redford made the statement to a gathering of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters at the official groundbreaking last week.
The $158.3 million project involves the construction of two floors of research space, which will add about 18,300 gross square metres to the engineering complex.
Construction on the new building will begin immediately and Pivotal is responsible for the project management.
The renovation of the existing building will modernize 11,100 gross square metres of space within the complex.
The expansion aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and is scheduled for completion in 2016.
It will allow the school to increase capacity by about 400 additional undergraduate and graduate students.
Currently, the school has 3,006 full-time undergraduates, 1,200 graduate students and 160 faculty members.
Randstad Engineering and Engineers Canada released a report earlier this year that predicts expansion of demand will create an additional 16,000 jobs for engineers on a national basis by 2020.
The largest share of these jobs will be created west of Quebec, with the bulk of them in Alberta and B.C.
According to the report, there was strong engineering job growth in Alberta in 2012, but there are ongoing shortages and recruiting challenges for engineers with five to 10 years of experience or specialized skills.
In addition, new graduates from engineering programs have difficulties finding jobs.
Alberta has lagged behind national trends in enrolments in engineering programs and an additional 900 engineers are needed annually to balance market demand.
The Schulich School of Engineering undertook a benchmarking study in 2008 to compare available space in their facility to the accepted space standards for engineering schools across the country.
The study concluded the school is significantly deficient in space, when the different needs of engineering disciplines, such as civil, electrical, mechanical, are taken into account.
The analysis documented in detail the area and kind of space that is required.
If not addressed the deficiency could pose a threat to the school’s accreditation.
In response to this challenge, the new facility will include the following features:
New undergraduate teaching labs;
A relocated and expanded first-year study centre and new student study and support spaces, including an expanded student lounge;
New workshops for student teams and clubs;
An expanded and reconfigured Undergraduate Studies Office and an expanded Career Centre;
Two new 240-seat theatres – one a reconfigurable, highly flexible space for special events;
Relocated and enhanced registrar classrooms; and
Two new floors of research labs.
The Alberta government is investing $142.5 million in the renovation and expansion project and the remaining $15.8 million of the capital cost is being provided by the Engineering Leaders campaign.
The campaign raises funds for upgrades to the engineering facilities, student awards, activity funds, career advice, as well as research centres and chairs.
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