Partnering for Success: A New Opportunity for Pharmacy Technician Students
PTSA is excited to announce a new initiative designed to strengthen the connection between students and the profession. Under a new program, participating Alberta colleges offering Pharmacy Technician programs will embed the annual PTSA student membership fee directly into fees paid as part of their programs. This means that every student enrolled in programs at participating colleges will automatically become a PTSA Student Member, with no additional out-of-pocket costs.
In 2018, PTSA partnered with NorQuest College on this initiative. A similar partnership with Canadian Imperial College was introduced in 2024 and this year, Robertson College has joined the growing list of participating colleges. In the past four years, 136 Alberta pharmacy technician students have benefited from this initiative.
Why This Matters
Membership in PTSA opens doors to professional development, networking, and advocacy resources that are essential for success in the pharmacy technician field. PTSA student membership also better prepares graduates with professional connections and knowledge beyond what they will learn from school alone. By integrating membership into school fees, we remove barriers like cost or lack of awareness. By expanding this model, we aim to empower the next generation of pharmacy technicians with the tools and connections they need to thrive.
This is what one student member had to say about the program: “For me it was interesting to see how PTSA works, how they benefit and support the profession, and that even as a student or a new technician there is a place to be involved. I think sometimes people think they need to have more experience before becoming involved but that is not always the case. Joining PTSA and getting involved early helped me to feel supported in a new career, and it gave me a resource I could go to if I had questions. I feel it helped me to stay informed about the ever-evolving world of being a pharmacy technician and what some up and coming changes might mean for me and for the profession.”
What’s Next?
PTSA hopes to expand the program to all Alberta colleges offering pharmacy technician programs, and potentially beyond. This is one step towards building a stronger, more connected pharmacy technician community in Alberta.
Want to learn more or share your thoughts? Contact administrator@ptsa.ca