Medicine Hat College students earn national Power Engineering awards
Two Medicine Hat College (MHC) Power Engineering students have earned national recognition in the 2025 IPE Power Engineering Student Achievement Awards.
Caleb Garrecht placed second, while Neethu Markose earned third among competitors from across Canada.
The annual awards recognize top performance in Power Engineering programs based on a combination of academic achievement and standardized exam results, spotlighting excellence across institutions nationwide.
“This achievement reflects both the talent and dedication of our learners, as well as the strength of our instructors and Power Engineering program at MHC,” says Dr. Morgan Blair, Dean, School of Trades & Technology. “Caleb and Neethu have demonstrated incredible commitment to succeed in their training.”
Garrecht credits much of his success to the collaborative environment within the program.
"It feels good to have all the hard work I put into studying recognized," said Garrecht. “We had a great group of classmates who supported one another throughout the program. The instructors were always available to help, which made a big difference. I couldn't have done it without their support."
For Markose, the recognition reflects both hard work and the support she found at MHC.
“It means a lot to me. I’ve only been [in Canada] for two years, so this recognition really shows that all the hard work has paid off,” said Markose. “When I came to Medicine Hat College, the instructors were so supportive. That transition to a new country wasn’t easy, but they helped me every step of the way. It was the best decision I’ve made.”
Participants in this category are completing third-class Power Engineering training, which focusses on operating and managing complex industrial systems, including boilers and pressurized equipment.
MHC has a strong history in the national awards, with learners consistently placing among the top in Canada for over the past decade. Previous results include first-place finishes in 2014 and 2021, along with several second- and third-place standings in recent years.
Award rankings are determined using a weighted formula, with coursework contributing 35 per cent of the overall score and Interprovincial Power Engineering Curriculum Committee (IPECC) exam results accounting for the remaining 65 per cent.
The results were announced on June 1, with formal recognition held at the IPECC-Canada Conference in Nova Scotia from June 21 to 23, 2026.
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