A common sight for visitors to RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus every fall is swarms of Civil Engineering Technology students, honing their skills and surveying the College’s exterior grounds using state-of-the-art equipment.

Much of this important work happens because of the generous support of Lewis Instruments, central Canada’s leading supplier of measurement technology products, which provides the up-to-date gear that supports students’ learning outcomes – the same tools they will use once they enter industry.

“Lewis offers emerging technology in our advanced training that provides crucial exposure to the latest in technology,” says Tammy Harper, Chair, Civil Engineering Technology – Infrastructure at RRC Polytech. “Thanks to Lewis’s ongoing support, students in our Civil Engineering Technology, Geomatic Technology, and Construction Management programs are prepared for their future careers working in construction or as land surveyors once they graduate from RRC Polytech.”

Over the next five years, Lewis Instruments has pledged to provide over 2.5 million dollars in equipment to support RRC Polytech’s Civil Engineering Programs.

“Lewis Instruments proudly stands on over 75 years as a survey equipment supplier in central Canada,” says Nolan Klassen, Sales Manager at Lewis Instruments. “For 25 years as of 2024, we have aligned ourselves with RRC Polytech, providing support by equipping students with the latest in surveying technologies. This partnership not only gives students the needed hands-on experience, but also ensures a seamless transition from academia to the workforce.”

Lewis Instruments also supports future generations of civil engineer technologists through two awards: the Lewis Instruments Ltd. Scholarship & Louis Picard Memorial award, which provides $1,500 each to two students each year.

To recognize this ongoing support, RRC Polytech is naming Civil Engineering Technology’s Surveying Room (A120) after the company. This room is where this equipment is housed and where the students begin their journey into surveying.

“By equipping students with the tools they will encounter in their future roles, we contribute to their readiness for the industry, earning positive feedback from our business clients,” continues Klassen. “This collaboration demonstrates our strong commitment to the education and seamless integration of skilled graduates into the business sector.”

The relationship between RRC Polytech and Lewis Instruments is the perfect example of RRC Polytech’s strategic commitment to deepening partnerships to maximize prosperity across industry and community – a mutually beneficial collaboration that directly connects industry with future members of the workforce.

“Lewis Instruments has always been open to new ideas and opportunities to support our program and training. They continually go above and beyond to bring industry standards and emerging tech to our students,” says Harper. “They will also reach out to our instructors to explore the new technology to provide Lewis Instruments with feedback on their own industry training and understanding of how the new tech will be received by industry.”

Valuable support from donors like Lewis Instruments means RRC Polytech can continue to deliver and transform programs within its School of Skilled Trades and Technologies. This support empowers students with the most current tools, materials, and resources to prepare them for their future careers upon graduation.