Mr. ALIY KING is a graduate of two of The University of Trinidad and Tobago’s (UTT) National Engineering Technician’s Diploma programmes - the Electrical and Electrical Engineering Technology (EEET), and the Renewable Energy Engineering Technology (REET). Mr. King is currently employed as an Engineering and Maintenance Technician (Electrical) at Trinidad Distillers Limited (Angostura), and shares his story of academic success with us:

Give us a brief history of your academic and professional background.

I attended Malick Secondary Comprehensive School, but unfortunately, I only attained 2 CXC passes. Unsure of my career path, I started working as a Sales Representative in a well-known retail establishment and quickly excelled, attaining the position of Floor Manager at age 20. Not wanting to settle for a career in sales, I decided to pursue welding, with hopes of becoming an underwater welder.

I pursued the Journeyman diploma at MIC, through which I was able to gain employment at Trinidad Distillers Limited (TDL) as an Engineering and Maintenance (E&M) trainee. I eventually gained employment at the company as a full-time Electrical Technician. I used this technical foundation to then pursue the NETDs at UTT.

What influenced your decision to pursue this programme at UTT?

I learnt about the NETD programme through a colleague who was enrolled in UTT’s NETD in Electrical/Electronic Engineering. Eager to further my education and specialise in a technical field, I met Dr. Curtis Boodoo, Assistant Professor, Utilities Engineering during a visit to a UTT campus. Dr. Boodoo carefully reviewed the programme components and entry requirements for the EEET programme, advising the steps required to qualify for enrollment. Motivated, I attained the necessary qualifications that year, and enrolled. In 2020, the REET programme was introduced, and I enrolled immediately, having always had a keen interest in studying renewable energy.

During my final year, I was awarded an Emerging Leaders in the Americas Programme scholarship, to participate in an Engineering Systems Technology programme at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada, for one semester. I graduated from both programmes in November 2022.

How has being a graduate of UTT assisted your overall professional experience and development?

Apart from having the privilege of including this prestigious qualification on my resume, I have also gained much respect and recognition from my E&M colleagues as well as the operations management teams at TDL. I have also been specifically selected to work on major installation and upgrade projects alongside consultants, subject matter experts and external OEM service technicians. My experience at UTT has definitely taught me discipline and teamwork; and improved my organisational, problem solving and leadership skills. At my job, I am able to diligently apply my technical training, function as a point contact for trouble shooting electrical problems and occasionally fill a supervisory role.

What words of advice do you have for those wishing to pursue this line of study at UTT?

Once you have a fundamental interest in electrical or renewable energy engineering and technology, pursuing these programmes can take you to the next level in your technical career. With enough discipline, determination, hard work,  and dedication, anyone can achieve these qualifications.