News Article

CNA graduate provides industry insight


8/10/2005 2:46:43 PM


CNA student Albert Grandy donning his safety gear at the White Rose Topsides project in Marystown.

College of the North Atlantic (CNA) graduate and Burin native Albert Grandy is an industry professional, contributing to the constant improvement of education in his field.

The Electrical Engineering Technology (Industrial Controls) graduate has recently been hired by Kiewit, the construction giant based out of Omaha, Nebraska. More specifically, he works with Kiewit Offshore Services, a subsidiary of the company that is doing work in Marystown on the highly anticipated White Rose Topsides project.

Grandy has been working with the company for over 17 months and is using this experience to help improve the Electrical Engineering Technology programs at CNA by serving on an advisory board with instructors and other people in industry.

The board meets every few months to discuss industry trends. The college then uses this information to address improvements that can be made to keep courses and technology current.

Mike Graham, Campus Administrator at CNA’s Burin campus where Grandy earned his diploma, says the advisory board is effective because it helps keep instructors up to date. Graham taught Grandy and says he is glad to have him on the advisory board.

“Every now and then you run into a student who sticks in your mind because of their enthusiasm, friendliness, leadership, or ability,” says Graham. “Albert stuck in my mind for all those reasons.”

Grandy began working with Kiewit as one of the progress/cost coordinators for electrical instrumentation and telecoms. He then moved on to become a work pack/field engineer.

His job has also been creating a variety of other work opportunities. He has been offered positions in cities like Montreal and Calgary with Kiewit, and has even had an offer with a company in Houston, Texas.

But Grandy says he is more than content to stay with his current employer. He wants to see the project through to make sure he gets the full experience, but would like to move on to other projects with the company once this job is completed.

Grandy says his education at CNA helped him prepare for the challenge of his current employment.

“The program helped me with my organization skills among other things,” says Grandy. “It helped me to become more adept at strategic thinking and problem solving. It provided a solid background – I can always refer back to the stuff I learned in school for problems I encounter on the job.”
The Electrical Engineering Technology program at CNA provides great potential for employment, boasting graduates that are working all over the world. It is taught at the college’s Burin campus, one of three campuses in the province with a student residence.

CNA is Newfoundland and Labrador’s only public college offering a wide range of programs at 17 campuses across the province. And it’s not too late to apply.

For more information on Electrical Engineering Technology, or any of CNA’s program offerings, visit www.cna.nl.ca.



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For more information contact:

Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7929

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7928