THE ASSOCIATION FOR

TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS

IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Report Available…BC EMPLOYMENTOUTLOOK TO 2015Every two years the Ministry ofAdvanced Education and ServiceCanada BC/Yukon Region produce10-year projections on employmentdemand for BC. The report helps poli-cy makers by identifying the most like-ly trends in labour and skills demandover the long-term and it is providesuseful information for students andpeople who are changing careers.

Two projections for BC up to 2015are…

• More than 1 million jobopportunities• 461,100 new jobs or 2.0 per

cent per year• 652,000 openings due

retirements or deaths.• Professional/Scientific/Technical

Services is one of five majorindustry groups projected to havethe largest average annualemployment growth.

For information, visit…

www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketinfo

check it out…

www.asttbc.org

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Issue #121August-December 2007

ASTTBCEST. 1958ASTTBCEST. 1958

Issue #121August-December 2007

. . . T H E V O I C E O F T E C H N O L O G Y P R O F E S S I O N A L S I N B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A

BUILDING MOMENTUM

Bill Williams, AScT, (r) receives certificate#25000 from John Shortreid, AScT, CLS,Associate Registrar.

Membership Update…ASTTBC ISSUESCERTIFICATE #25000BILL WILLIAMS, AScT, has a uniquemember number. This newly certifiedApplied Science Technologist receivedcertificate number 25000 in November2007. It is a milestone for both memberand Association.

“I really value this credential,” he saidupon receiving his registration certifi-cate. “I recently moved into a consultingrole with LCP Signal Management Inc.,and having credentials is essential. Clientswant to know that the people they are hir-ing are qualified.”

Bill has always been interested in acareer in technology. In fact, he hadhigh school summer jobs withMcElhanney Engineering and the Cityof Coquitlam. He graduated from theBCIT Civil & Structural Program andjoined the City of Surrey, working inthe survey section, road design and con-struction, and eventually traffic opera-tions. “Working in traffic signals is allabout moving people around,” he says. “Itis a perfect fit for technologists because it’sabout applying technology.”

At the presentation, ASTTBC’sAssociate Registrar, John Shortreid,AScT, CLS, said, “As we approachASTTBC’s 50th anniversary, it is gratify-ing that our professional association hasbeen an integral part of the careers of somany people.” ■

T ECHNOLOGY PROFESS IONALSQualified. Registered. Accountable.

This issue of ASTT News looks at the role of education as a cornerstone of careers intechnology. It highlights some of the activities at BCIT and the colleges, and looks atthe close links that ASTTBC has with all levels of education.

We are pleased to publish the following message from the Hon. Murray Coell, Ministerof Advanced Education to provide the lead focus for this issue of ASTT News.

Honourable Murray CoellA MESSAGE FROM BC’S MINISTER OFADVANCED EDUCATION

TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS TRAINING programs are of vital importanceto the economy of BC. The need for highly skilled people in BC has never beengreater. We know we need to train more workers to meet the critical skills

shortages in our growing economy.The Ministry of Advanced Education is proud to play a leadership role in many

areas of technology and skills development training. We’re working with post-second-ary institutions to increase training in key technical sectors such as oil and gas, aero-space and health care.

To prepare workers for this new economy, we are working in partnership with theMinistry of Economic Development, as well as with the non-profit organizations likeSkills Canada BC, to raise awareness of British Columbia’s excellent trades and tech-nology training system, and promote trades and technology training in our province.

The establishment of a new Oil and Gas Education and Training Centre ofExcellence at the Fort St. John Campus of Northern Lights College will enable thecollege to offer new and expanded trades and technology programs to address theskills shortages in the oil and gas industry in northeastern BC. This is but oneexample of how BC is on the move in education and in building infrastructure fortechnology careers.

I congratulate ASTTBC for its ongoing work in promoting careers in technology andinitiating links among the education, business and industry sectors.

The challenge is not over. Working together – governments, pri-vate sponsors, businesses and post-secondary institutions – we cancreate an environment that supports the BC labour market andultimately benefits every British Columbian. ■

SHAPING BC’s FUTUREWe all have a role to play!

Find qualified technologists and technicians…

www.cten.ca

Sponsored by… Applied Science

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COAST–TO–COAST

BCIT’s Acting President Dr. Verna Magee-Shepherd and BC’s Minister of Advanced EducationHonourable Murray Coell attend the grand opening of the BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus.

Photo by Scott McAlpine

John Leech, AScT, CAE,ASTTBC ExecutiveDirector & Registrar,and John McNeill,CTech, a member ofASTTBC Council,meet with HonourableMurray Coell. Council L1 (20%B).art eps

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COUNCILNOMINATIONSNominations are requested for election to the Councilof ASTTBC. Each nomination must be supported bythe signatures of 10 certified members, as well as theconsent and signature of the nominee. Nominationsproperly endorsed must be received by the NominationCommittee Chair by February 23, 2008.Keith Switzer, AScTChair, Nominating Committee10767 – 148th Street, Surrey, BC V3R 0S4FAX: (604) 585-2790

May 23rd, 2008ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGMARK YOUR CALENDAR!

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Adding Clarity to Work & Services…GUIDES TO PROFESSIONALPRACTICE APPROVEDASTTBC has developed five ‘Guides to Professional Practice’ aspart of the Association’s responsibility under the ASTT Act &Regulations to clearly outline the scope of members’ independ-ent practice. At its meeting on September 27 2007, Councilapproved the following Guides to Professional Practice…

• Biomedical Engineering Technology Services

• Electrical Technology Design Services for Building Projects

• Electronics Technology Services

• Geomatics Technology Services

• Mechanical Technology Design Services for Building Projects

Previously, drafts had been posted on the ASTTBC web site forcomments by members and other interested stakeholders. TheGuides were also forwarded to the Canadian Council ofTechnicians and Technologists, all technician/technologist associ-ations in Canada, the Association of Professional Engineers andGeoscientists of BC, and the Ministry of Advanced Education(responsible for the ASTT Act) and others in government.

The Guides serve to inform members and the public as to thework and services that can be provided independently byASTTBC members and which is not restricted by other profes-sional legislation. ASTTBC Council reiterated its interest inworking jointly with APEGBC to address areas of overlap in thepractices of professional engineering and engineering technology.

www.asttbc.com/practice/regulation/practice_guidelines.php

Roundtable delegates (left to right)… Kurtis Kitagawa, Principal Research Associate, The

Conference Board of Canada; Herman Van Reekum, President, VRV Group, Immigration and

Labour Services; Yezdi Pavri, Managing Partner – Toronto, Deloitte & Touche LLP; Dawn Moore,

President, Dawn Moore International Consultants Ltd.; Yawar Khan, Director, Medical Affairs,

The Ottawa Hospital; Michael Bloom,Vice-President, Organizational Effectiveness and Learning,

The Conference Board of Canada; and, Prakash Joshi, AScT, EngL, Senior Materials Engineering

Technologist, AMEC Earth & Environmental Limited, and ASTTBC Council Director.

Internationally Educated Professionals…TRANSFERRING TALENTS BETWEENCOUNTRIESASTTBC has developed solid connections with regional agen-cies that help immigrants make the Canadian transition.

Prakash Joshi, AScT, EngL, a member of ASTTBC Council,attended the Business Leaders Roundtable on Immigration spon-sored by the Conference Board of Canada. He was recently inter-viewed for an article in APEGBC’s Innovation magazine titled‘Finding a Balance: BC’s Internationally Trained Engineers’.

Geoff Sale, AScT, a Past President of ASTTBC, is heading upASTTBC’s program for internationally educated professionals.Geoff moved to Canada from the UK fifty years ago. Geoff wasa panellist at the ‘Climbing the Canadian Skills Ladder’ work-shop. He has spent many hours talking to staff and clients ofthe Bamboo Network, MOSAIC, the Progressive InterculturalCommunity Services Society, SUCCESS, the Society ofInternationally Trained Engineers of BC and EASI.

ASTTBC representatives have attended a number of confer-ences on credentialing for immigrants and have helpedVancouver Community College and Camosun College developtechnology-related workplace English courses.

“ASTTBC members have rewarding careers in the strata betweenprofessional engineering and trades,” says Geoff. “As an associationwe need to continue to get that message out to skilled technologyworkers who are choosing Canada.” ■

Budget Reaches $2,000,000…ASTTBC WORK PLAN FOR 2008

ASTTBCWILL ENTER 2008 with a new statement onVision, Mission and Goals. The Association is

well-positioned and well-regarded as a professional regulatorybody and has excellent working relationships with the BC gov-ernment and many other professional, technical and trade asso-ciations. ASTTBC also benefits from a Council with a ‘can do’attitude and highly experienced staff.

During 2008, ASTTBC will continue toenhance professional regulation, including aprogram to formally define members’scope of practice and work to secureappropriate recognition as ‘QualifiedProfessionals’. Marketing and advertis-ing to enhance the profile of ASTTBC-registered technology professionals, theAssociation, and technology educationand careers will continue. ASTTBC willalso undertake strategic initiatives relating topublic policy.

Twelve highlights identified in the 2008 Work Plan…

1. Seek changes to professional legislation to secure members’practice in architectural/building and engineeringtechnology through exemption in current restrictive practicelegislation or through a form of ‘umbrella legislation’.

2. Develop Guides to Professional Practice in at least 3additional fields.

3. Secure practice rights for members, specifically… QPstatus; Letters of Assurance; Certified Professional; and,technical specialists, with a focus on fire protection, houseinspection and onsite wastewater.

4. Enhance professional standards and accountability…implement a new ethics and practice course and

examination; provide web-based CPD reporting;develop peer review/practice audits in specific

fields; research and report on self-directedprofessional liability program; and,complete audit and report on ASTTBC’sprofessional regulation scheme.

5. Initiate RTMgr certification program.

6. Enhance profile of ASTTBCtechnology professionals.

7. Develop marketing plan for 2008 –2010.

8. Conduct biennial Member CompensationSurvey.

9. Enhance services to GradTechs, student members andretired members.

10. Enhance awareness of technology education and careers.

11. Celebrate ASTTBC’s 50th Anniversary.

12. Conduct fundraising campaign for FEAT long-termendowment fund.

Council Sees Options as Viable…PROFESSIONAL LEGISLATIVEMODELS REVIEWED

On September 272007 , AST TBCCouncil approved astatement on leg-islative models thatASTTBC will con-

sider as the Association seeks changes tothe current regulatory model.

The statement outlines the forms ofprofessional regulation the Associationbelieves will best serve the public interest;ensure self-regulation and governance forASTTBC-registered technologists, tech-nicians and technical specialists; meet theintent of the Trade, Investment andLabour Mobility Agreement between thegovernments of BC and Alberta; and,generally align with professional legisla-tion enacted in other provinces.

Broadly speaking, the approaches tolegislation that ASTTBC is prepared toconsider can be described as…

• Umbrella Legislation

• Two (or more) Acts with appropriatepractice exemption plus joint board

• One Act – Two (or more) Associations

For details, see separate insert with thisissue of ASTT News or visit…

www.asttbc.com/about/docs/PLModels.pdf

New Policy Released…CERTIFICATION INALTERNATIVE DISCIPLINESThe ASTTBC Board of Examiners hasdetermined that a member, or applicant,who meets the certification policy aca-demic requirements in one discipline ofapplied science technology, but has workexperience in another discipline, may beeligible for and may seek certification inthe discipline of his/her experience. To begranted certification in the discipline ofhis/her experience, the applicant/membermust meet certain requirements.Applicants or members should contactthe Registration Department if they wishto change their discipline.

To see the revised Policy 6.3 on certifi-cation in discipline other then that inwhich one graduated, visit the ASTTBCweb site at…

www.asttbc.com/registration/technol-ogists/cert_policy.php

CCTT Works With Deans…NATIONAL TECHNOLOGYBENCHMARKS COMINGT h e N a t i o n a l T e c h n o l o g yBenchmark is a joint project betweenthe Canadian Council of Techniciansand Technologists, and the NationalCouncil of Deans of Technology. Itwill establish outcomes-based tech-nology benchmarks in fourteen disci-plines. Once the NTB is finalized,reg ional t ra ining ses s ions wi l l bescheduled for the beginning of 2008.

For more details, visit… ntb.cctt.ca

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…PATHWAYS TOCAREER SUCCESS!

BUILDING TOMORROW … THROUGH ACTION TODAY!

TechWORKS! is a program designed to helppromote careers in technology. You will finduseful information on the TechWORKS!web site at…

techworks.asttbc.org

ASTTBC VISIONASTTBC is the model association

for technology professionals.

ASTTBC MISSIONTo serve the public by regulating and supporting technology professionals’

commitment to a safe, healthy, and sustainable society and

environment.

For the complete 2008 ASTTBC Work Plan… www.asttbc.com/about/docs/workplan2008.pdf

Labour Market Information…SURVEYS PROVIDE VITAL INFORMATIONThe ‘2007 Engineering and Technology Employer Survey’ is anational survey being done jointly by Engineers Canada andthe Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists, withfinancial support from Human Resources and SocialDevelopment Canada. When finished, the report will provideinformation on…

• supply and demand conditions in different regions and bytechnical field

• recruitment challenges and successful recruitment strategies• changing skills requirements for engineers and engineering

technicians and technologists• trends in engineering work force diversity• trends in continuing professional development

Visit… www.engineeringemployersurvey.com

At the provincial level, a study conducted for the Coalition ofBC Businesses demonstrates how skills and labour shortages inmany sectors and regions of BC are negatively impacting smallbusiness and communities. The ‘Labour Supply Strategies forSmall Businesses in British Columbia’ makes a number of rec-ommendations to government and others.

Visit… www.coalitionbcbusiness.ca/reports.htm

ViewPOINT…by: Darrin Heisler, AScT, President, ASTTBC

As I take up my term as President, Iwould like to share some thoughts aboutour Association and the future it holds.As we near 50 years of service to BritishColumbians, it is time to take note ofour many forward steps in our desire tobe recognized in the professional arena.One recently-minted example is theGuides to Professional Practice we havejust adopted for five disciplines. These

guidelines, along with additional future ones, will define thepractice of technology for members of ASTTBC while keepingin mind the protection of the public.

During my term I see ASTTBC focusing on three keygoals… our Association needs to be more visible… technolo-gists, technicians and technical specialists need to be fully rec-ognized for their skills and abilities… and, we need to helpmake young people more aware of the great careers in appliedscience and engineering technologies.

As I look forward, ASTTBC has created a meaningful rela-tionship with APEGBC… a relationship that will allow bothassociations to communicate freely and advance issues.Dialogue with other professional associations like ABCFP andAIBC continue to be fruitful. I think we are all keen to findcommon ground in an approach to professional regulation.

Every incoming President owes a big ‘Thank You’ to all of thePast Presidents. I would like to thank Keith Switzer, AScT, forhis work and dedication to ASTTBC. I know that all of thePast Presidents still hold ASTTBC near and dear, and it’s greatto have such a pool of experience to call on.

I also acknowledge the members who volunteer for ASTTBCBoards and Committees. Their efforts are crucial to our success.I am always impressed by the role our members play in BC soci-ety. We have members who have been MLAs, school trustees andmayors. They work on projects from developing new medicaldevices to building the new Vancouver Airport terminal. Theywork at all levels in industry right up to the top of large con-struction companies or principals in major engineering firms.

I would like to recognize our staff who can always be depend-ed upon to creatively and dynamically rise to any challengesthat come up.

This year ASTTBC will be conducting another member sur-vey. Council and staff want your opinion on how we are doingand where we should focus our energy. Please feel free to sendme a note at any time via the ASTTBC office on any ideas orsuggestions. ■

Representatives from industry, education, government and associations seeksolutions to the technology skills shortage at the Morris J Wosk Centre forDialogue. The Roundtable was organized by ASTTBC.

Catalyst for Change…ASTTBC HOSTS ROUNDTABLEON SKILLS SHORTAGE

NEARLY HALF OF THE WORKFORCE ranges in age from 40 to 60.Keeping older and experienced employees will be crucial in addressing theshortage of skilled technology workers. This was one of the key points to

come out of the ‘Roundtable on Technology Skills Shortage II’ that ASTTBC hostedon October 31 2007.

“This is the largest group of employees and employers are going to have to increaseflexibility in working arrangements and provide recognition for mature workers, ifthey want to retain these skilled people,” said Barbara Jaworski, BSc, MBA, author

of ‘KAA-BOOM!’ and a presenter at the Roundtable. “It’s usually too late to try and attract them backafter they retire.”

Baby-boomers want to stay active and involved provided employment arrangements fit their life bal-ance. The Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, where ASTTBC held the event, has instant pollingfacilities. When asked at what age they planned to retire, the biggest response from Roundtable dele-gates was ‘never’.

Most delegates felt a comprehensive program to promote technology education and careers to stu-dents from kindergarten through high school would best address the technology skills shortage inBC. Morgan Heisler, one of the students from Maple Ridge Secondary School who was invited toobserve the Roundtable, explained it this way. “Technology is invisible to people my age, we don’t knowwhat technologists do,” she said. “There are so many science careers to choose from and we don’t knowwhat is out there.”

Other key points that came out of RTSS II included creating a more appealing image for technologycareers, getting the media involved in telling the story and coalescing the current fragmented industry-specific approach.“One of the actions that came out of our event is the formation of the Technology Education & Careers Council,”said John Leech, AScT, CAE, who was emcee of the Roundtable. “We will begin right away to develop astrategic game plan. It will be based on collaboration and be cross-sectoral.”

ASTTBC has been a catalyst for discussions on the technology skills shortage, and on technology educa-tion and careers since hosting its ‘Building Careers In Technology’ conference in 2005. ASTTBC convenedtwo roundtable discussion groups this year. The first was held in June when the Honorable Colin Hansen,Minister of Economic Development, met with 33 industry leaders to hear what actions executives feel arerequired to ensure BC has the needed technology workers.

“ASTTBC is to be commended for taking a lead role in addressing this issue,” said Hiromi Matsui, Director,Diversity and Recruitment, Faculty of Applied Sciences at Simon Fraser University. “I’m co-chair of a nation-al project on women in science, engineering, trades and technology, and would like to talk about how we mightwork together.” ■

RTSS II was webcast. Findings will be published and posted online with segments from the webcast.

For more information, visit… www.asttbc.org/RTSS

ASTTBC thanks RTSS II Partners for their support.

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Barbara Jaworski,BSc, MBA, keynotepresenter at RTSS II,challenged employersto keep older, moreexperienced workersemployed longer.

ASTTBC and APEGBC have re-engaged on the broad question of possible future regu-latory models. With a ‘One Act – Two Association’ model about to become the newreality in Alberta, the associations in British Columbia are once again drawn to thequestion of what to do in this province regarding a potentially better and more effectiveregulatory model governing ‘professional engineering’ and ‘engineering technology’.

The government in Alberta passed Bill 39, the ‘Engineering, Geological andGeophysical Professions Amendment Act’, resulting in a new regulatory frame-work. The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals ofAlberta will be incorporated and will continue with new powers and responsibilitiesspelled out in the Act.

In July 2007, the executives from APEGBC and ASTTBC met to consider key princi-ples and map out a pathway to resolution of professional regulation. APEGBC has sug-gested the two associations work together in defining the ‘house of Engineering andGeoscience’. ASTTBC has indicated an interest in working together within parametersacceptable to both associations. ASTTBC is mindful of the Trade, Investment andLabour Mobility Agreement between the governments of British Columbia and Alberta,and the requirement that TILMA imposes to ‘harmonize’ professional regulation.

“The new One Act – Two Association model in Alberta provides another option toconsider as we work with APEGBC, the BC Government and other stakeholders to for-mulate future directions for professional regulation and governance in BC,” says JohnLeech, AScT, CAE, Executive Director & Registrar of ASTTBC. “We think it’s alsoimportant to look at revising the current framework in BC. While it’s not working assmoothly as we would like, I think it’s an excellent base from which to advance.”

John Leech has met several times with APEGBC’s new Executive Director, DerekDoyle, PEng, since he took office. They discussed a range of subjects relating to theworkings of the two associations, enhancing linkages, the roles of members and thefuture direction for professional regulation of the Engineering Team. ■

In the News…In the News…

Brian Canfield, Chairman of the Board,TELUS (2nd from right, above) receivesHonorary Membership in ASTTBC fromJohn Leech, AScT, CAE. Also attendingare Barry Cavanaugh, LLB, ExecutiveDirector of ASET (on left) and Josh Blair,PEng, VP HR Strategies at TELUS.

Dan Mooney, AScT, a Past President ofASTTBC, has been hired by the City ofRichmond as Manager of Roads andConstruction Services.

Mike Tarr, AScT, is working on regula-tory initiatives for the Canadian GasAssociation and the Canadian ElectricityAssociation. He recently presented apaper at the CGA conference in Ottawa.

Janet Benjamin, PEng, has been electedPresident of the Association ofProfessional Engineers & Geoscientists ofBC and Margaret Li, PEng, is the newVice President.

Stephen Hinde, PEng, has joined the BCSafety Authority as the ProvincialElectrical Safety Manager.

Gerry Desrochers, PEng, has accepted aposition as Director of the ThompsonRivers University campus in WilliamsLake. Dennis Johnson has assumed therole of Coordinator for TRU’s newBachelor of Technology – Trades &Technology degree program.

Dwight Yochim, RPF, former Director ofProfessional Practice and ForestStewardship at ABCFP, has accepted theposition of Vice President with KellyMcCloskey & Associates where he willfocus on the market for wood in USnon-residential construction on behalf ofthe Wood Products Council.

Jerome Marburg, LLB, MBA, is the newDirector of Registration & Licensing andGeneral Counsel for the ArchitecturalInstitute of BC.

The BC Innovation Council hasannounced three new appointments in2007. Matthew Watson becomes ChiefExecutive Officer, Soren Harbel becomesVP of Innovation Development andRichard Hallman is the new SectorCollaboration Manager for Agriculture,Food and Bioproducts.

Frank Borowicz, QC, has been appoint-ed as Chair of the Board at the IndustryTraining Authority and Gail Stephens asChair of the Finance Committee. GaryMcDermott has joined the ITA in thenewly created position of Director ofAboriginal Apprenticeship.

Connecting With VictoriaASTTBC Reps Meet GovernmentMinisters

John Leech, AScT, CAE, Executive Director &Registrar; Darrin Heisler, AScT, President; Hon.Murray Coell, Minister Advanced Education;Hon. Colin Hansen, Minister EconomicDevelopment; Keith Switzer, AScT, Past President,meet at the legislative building in Victoria.

Technology Careers Discussed WithGovernment

John Leech, AScT, CAE, and Keith Switzer,AScT, ASTTBC Past President, discuss ASTTBC’s‘Technology Careers… it’s TIME!’ campaign withHon. John van Dongen, Minister ofIntergovernmental Relations.

Hon. Kevin Krueger, Minister of State for Mines,is presented with an ASTTBC clock.

Engineering Award of Excellence…RECIPIENT ACKNOWLEDGESASTTBC SUPPORT

The Vancouver Island ConferenceCenter project received an Award ofMerit at the 2007 CEBC Awards forEngineering Excellence. One of thebiggest challenges was finding an afford-able engineering solution to difficult andcomplex site conditions. The consultingengineers hired by the City of Nanaimo,Golder Associates Ltd., rose to the chal-lenge with a unique solution.

“I believe that one of the reasons they wereable to is the environment of engineeringexcellence that is fostered by an awardprocess like this one,” Deputy CityManager Al Kenning, said in a note toJohn McNeill, CTech, who is a memberof ASTTBC Council. “I noted thatASTTBC is one of the sponsors of theCEBC gala. The City of Nanaimo is veryappreciative of the CEBC award and wish-es to thank the Council of ASTTBC fortheir role in supporting this event.” ■

Joint APEGBC and ASTTBC executive meeting in July 2007. (left to right)… John Leech, AScT, CAE,Executive Director & Registrar, ASTTBC; Bill MacPherson, AScT, Secretary Treasurer, ASTTBC; DougCarter, CTech, Vice President, ASTTBC; Tim Smith, PGeo, EngL, President, APEGBC; Darrin Heisler,AScT, President, ASTTBC; Keith Switzer, AScT, Past President, ASTTBC; and, Derek Doyle, PEng, MBA,Executive Director & Registrar, APEGBC. Bob Ito, PEng, Past President, APEGBC, joined by conference call.

Regulatory Models Discussed…APEGBC & ASTTBC EXECUTIVE MEET

2008 Dues Invoices…ASTTBC EXPANDS e–BUSINESS

In line with ASTTBC goals of enhanc-ing its operations through e-business,invoices for ASTTBC annual dues arebeing sent out electronically for thefirst time this year. Members who havenot provided ASTTBC with an emailaddress will continue to receive theirannual dues notice by regular mail. ■

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Awards & Recognition Celebration…ASTTBC HONOURS ACHIEVEMENTS& VOLUNTEER SPIRIT

Volunteers play a key part in the success ofASTTBC according to President DarrinHeisler, AScT. “Our Association has come along way over the years, and we couldn’t havedone it without volunteers,” he stated in

addressing 225 guests at ASTTBC’s Awards & RecognitionCelebration in November.

The annual gala is a chance for ASTTBC to thank its volun-teers for their many hours of service and to bestow awards onmembers and non-members who have achieved outstandingaccomplishments in applied science technology.

Mayor Sam Sullivan brought greetings on behalf of the Cityof Vancouver. Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre, theHonorable Hedy Fry, and MLAs Lorne Mayencourt, BruceRalston and Doug Routley also spoke. All of the elected repre-sentatives thanked ASTTBC for its efforts to promote careersin technology and they spoke about the role that professionalcredentials play in labour mobility.

Two new awards were added this year. The ‘ProfessionalLeadership Award for Women in Technology’ honours women

who are ASTTBC members, have distinguished themselves in their field of technology, and have demonstrated leadership within the Association or local community by serving as a rolemodel and promoting careers in technology. The ‘EmployerAward for Career Enhancement & Success of Women asTechnology Professionals’ has been added to recognize anemployer for creating a work environment that accommodatesthe career success of women in the technology field.

The ASTTBC gala was held at the Pan Pacific Hotel inVancouver. As the evening came to a close John Leech, AScT,CAE, Executive Director & Registrar said, “This was one of thebest ever thanks to all the staff and others who helped breath life intothe evening.” Jordan Lewis, a student who received a FEAT bur-sary at the Awards & Recognition Celebration, remarked howgreat it was that technologists have such a strong organization andhow impressed he was with the people he met during the evening.

Professional Leadership Award for Women in Technology• Dena Vergamini, CTech, Dayton & Knight Ltd• Crystal Wegner, AScT, LEED AP, CCCA, Reed Jones

Christofferson Ltd.

Employer Award for the Enhancement of Career Success ofWomen as Technology Professionals• Morrison Hershfield Ltd.

Advanced Technology Award• Grant Lachmuth, AScT, Ministry of Transportation

Professional Achievement Award• Lyle Killough, AScT, GoControls Incorporated

Honorary Membership• Brian Canfield, TELUS• Gordon Gore, BIG Little Science Centre

Life Membership• Keith Switzer, AScT, ASTTBC Past President

Bill MacPherson,AScT, past Chair ofFEAT, presents $1,000FEAT/IBET bursary toLaura Ren, a studentin the BiomedicalEngineering Technologyprogram at BCIT.

$24,000 goes a long way toward tuition and books. $24,000 iswhat ASTTBC’s charitable foundation, the Foundation forEducation & Advancement in Technology, is providing in studentbursaries in 2007.

Three $1,000 FEAT/TD Meloche Monnex bursaries arebeing awarded for the first time this year. “We really appreci-ate this support from TD Meloche Monnex, ASTTBC’s affinitypartner for home insurance,” says FEAT Executive Director,Ted Nodwell, CAE. “Last year was the first year for bursariesprovided by BC Hydro, and this funding from our partnersand others with an interest in promoting technology careers isgreat news for students.”

Recipients for these bursaries, along with the WadeWicks Memorial Bursary and an ASTTBC bursary for ahigh school student, are chosen by direct application toFEAT. The Foundation also provides $13,000 in annualfunding to the awards offices at BCIT and the colleges forstudents in technology programs. Much of the money forthese bur sa r i e s comes f rom donat ions to FEAT byASTTBC members. A number of these bursaries, such asthe Dowco Steel Detai l ing Award, the Reg RidsdaleMemorial Award, the Gordon Blue Award and the DaleWilson Memorial Award were made possible by the gen-erosity of large individual bequests.

Tim Little, PEng,Chief Engineer of BCHydro, presents $1,000ASTTBC/BC Hydrobursaries to NadineJarry, Camille Soerand Kristi Joyce at the2007 ASTTBC Awards& RecognitionCelebration.

FEAT also provides financial support for science and technolo-gy awareness. FEAT is a sponsor of the Camosun ‘Taste ofElectronics’ for Grade 10 girls, ASTTBC’s ‘Roundtable onTechnology Skills Shortage II’ and the ‘Girls Exploring Trades& Technologies’ summer camp at BCIT.

FEAT was established in 1990. Since then, it has provided$150,000 in bursaries and awards and $360,000 promotingscience and technology. The FEAT long-term endowment fundis nearing $325,000. With ASTTBC’s 50th anniversary justaround the corner, the Association and its Foundation are look-ing at collaborating on a fund-raising campaign to boost thelong-term endowment fund to $500,000. ■

Watch for details!

ASTTBC Technology Leadership Award recipientat TWA 2007… Karen Eldridge with JohnLeech, AScT, CAE, ASTTBC.

ASTTBC Technology Leadership Award…NORTHERN BC TODAY’SWOMAN AWARDS

2007 marks the second yearthat ASTTBC sponsoredthe ‘ASTTBC TechnologyLeadership Award’ at theToday’s Woman Awards in

Prince George. This year’s recipient isKaren Eldridge, Medical Imaging TeamLeader for the Healthlink North Project.

“Karen puts patients and staff ahead ofthe technology and makes the technologywork for them,” says Francis Keong,Regional Manager of BiomedicalEngineering, Northern Health. Karen isa graduate of the BCIT radiography pro-gram. She sits on the BCIT AdvisoryCouncil for radiography and on theAdvisory Board for DiagnosticAccreditation for digital imaging.

While this ‘ASTTBC TechnologyLeadership Award’ is not restricted todisciplines in which ASTTBC providescertification, the recipient must havetechnical training plus several years ofrelated work experience and live innorthern BC. The selection committeealso looks for a noticeable contributionin her field, impact on the local commu-nity and leadership in promoting careersin technology. ■

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ASTTBC President Darrin Heisler, AScT, pres-ents Crystal Wegner, AScT, with an inauguralProfessional Leadership Award for Women inTechnology.

Louis Guay, Vice President, Affinity MarketGroup, presents $1,000 FEAT/TD MelocheMonnex bursaries to technology students (left toright) Christopher Lui, Jordan Lewis andCarlie Smith.

Two hundred and twenty-five guests attended the 2007 ASTTBC Awards &Recognition Celebration.

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan is welcomed byASTTBC Executive Director, John Leech, AScT, CAE.

REMINDER…TECHPRO CREATES AWARENESSTechPRO, ASTTBC’s online database designed to showcase you as a member, is live and readyto go! AScTs, CTechs, GradTechs and Technical Specialists are encouraged to post profiles.

Aside from public recognition you receive by being on the TechPRO web site, you will be helpingASTTBC to promote careers in technology. The public and youth alike will learn about the impor-tant roles that technologists, technicians and technical specialists play in our everyday lives.

Visit TechPRO at… www.techPROfile.ca…to view profiles or, better yet, post your profile today!

Both ASTTBC and itscharitable foundation,FEAT, stepped up assponsors for the ‘GirlsExploring Trades &Technologies’ summercamp.

FEAT Update…ASTTBC FOUNDATION HELPS STUDENTS

PART

NERS

+SP

ONSO

RS Benwell Atkins, an RR Donnelley Company

Camosun CollegeCanadian Home Builders’ Association of British ColumbiaTD Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc.Okanagan College

British Columbia Construction AssociationENCON Group Inc.Hertz Canada Ltd.Lindsay Kenney, Barristers & SolicitorsManulife FinancialMark’s Work WearhouseWillis Canada Inc.

Annual General Meeting 2008

Friday, May 23rd

Plan to attend!

www.asttbc.org/agm

TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS…“Human capital has and will become the ultimate scarce resource. Technologists andtechnicians are a precious commodity because they not only know what needs to bedone, but also know how to do it with the right tools and equipment.”

Roslyn Kunin, Economist

Qualified. Registered. Accountable.

ACTIVITIES COMBINE FUN & FACT…National Technology Week is Canada’sshowcase of exciting career choices avail-able in applied science and engineeringtechnologies. Held annually during thefirst week of November, NTW 2007offered a host of activities along withinteractive and fun resources to help stu-dents, teachers and parents explore tech-nical careers, particularly the differentfields in which more than 50,000 certi-fied technicians and technologists con-tribute to Canada’s workforce.

This year, ASTTBC’s Awards & Recognition Celebrationwas organized to fall within National Technology Week.ASTTBC also hosted a Roundtable on technology careers

at the Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver. The Association asked thegovernment to issue a proclamation for National Technology Week in BC. Memberswere encouraged to post their profiles on the TechPRO section of the ASTTBC website and to participate in events in their local communities. ASTTBC, via a partner-ship with Black Press, arranged for a major two-page NTW feature in 27 Black Presscommunity newspapers that reached 797,157 households throughout BC.

Whether it was getting involved with ‘Take your Kids to Work Day’, talking aboutcareers in technology with friends and family, or volunteering for science and technol-ogy events and displays, members played a key role in showcasing technology careers.

For list of NTW activities facilitated by ASTTBC, visit… www.asttbc.org/ntw

National Technology Week is coordinated by theCanadian Council of Technicians and Technologists(CCTT), in partnership with the National Council ofDeans of Technology and made possible with the gener-ous support TD Meloche Monnex, ASTTBC’s affinitypartner for home insurance.

For information, visit… www.nationaltechnologyweek.ca

Rapid Technological Change…

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?WORLDWIDE SALES OF NEW LAPTOPS have surpassed 45 million a yearaccording to a report by ScotiaMcleod. New switches will boost capacity on existingfibre-optic cables to 150 million phone calls simultaneously. Technological knowledgeis already doubling every two years. Many jobs in 2010 will be ones that did not existjust 15 years earlier.

What does it all mean? For the educational system, it means preparing students forjobs that do not exist that will be using technologies that have not yet been invented.For the labour market, the combination of rapid technological change combined withthe coming shortage of skilled labour and baby boomers retiring, it means radical newapproaches are needed for immigration, employment practices and regulation, andlifelong learning. ■

GetInvolved…

It’s AllAboutYOURFuture!

Advancing Technology Careers

2007

November 5 – 9, 2007

N A T I O N A L T E C H N O L O G Y W E E K 2 0 0 7 P A R T N E R S + S P O N S O R S

Benwell Atkins, an RR Donnelley Company

Camosun College | Okanagan College

Black Press Feature…

1958 20001998199619941992199019801970

EstablishedFoundation for

Education &Advancement in

Technology

PublishedCareers in

Technology :The Future is

Yours

1995… launched TechWORKS! Careers in Technology video,followed by a Teacher’s Guide, High School Work Experienceplacements and TechBAR! information kiosk

PublishedKids ‘n Forests

Activity &Colouring Book

in Forestry

DevelopedCareerManagerGuide-book forTechnologists &

Technicians

Co-hosted…

Since the Association’s inception in 1958,promoting careers in technology has been anintegral aspect of ensuring BC’s technologists,technicians and, more recently, technicalspecialists are being represented.

Peter Fessbender, Mayor of the City of Langley,receiving thank you gift from Keith Switzer, AScT,President of ASTTBC (now Past President), at theAssociation's AGM 2007.

Focus on Careers…ASTTBC AGM ADDSTO MOMENTUM‘Technology C a r e e r s … i t ’s TIME!’was the theme of ASTTBC’s AnnualGeneral Meeting in May 2007. Morethan 125 members, including 11 PastPresidents, attended the event which washeld in Langley.

The skills shortage… and reaching outto young people… were topics empha-sized by members, speakers, and guestsfrom BCIT and the colleges. They madethe following observations…

• Reaching out to internationally trainedprofessionals is important, as ASTTBCis doing through the AScT (Provisional)certification it introduced this year.

• It is important to take into accounton-the-job learning, not just academictraining, when evaluating applicationsfor registration.

• New disciplines of registration should beadded to keep up with changing times.

• Those in industry who are notmembers of ASTTBC should beencouraged to seek registration.

• ASTTBC needs to continue workingon the visibility of the Association andof members.

• It is the people in the technologyspectrum who do the work that will bevital in addressing climate change.

Peter Fassbender, Mayor of the Cityof Langley, told the delegates, “I havegreat respect for what technologists doat the City. I applaud ASTTBC forcommunicating to young people and thepublic about career options. Technologyas a profession offers tremendous oppor-tunity.” Dan Mooney, AScT, CPWI 1,City of Richmond, also commented“The AGM was another great ASTTBCevent!”

Another major topic of discussion atthe AGM was professional regulation.This was also a common theme in greet-ings brought by guests from associationssuch as the Canadian Council ofTechnicians and Technologists, theAssociation of Professional Engineers andGeoscientists of BC, and theArchitectural Institute of BC. ■

ASTTBC Executive Director & Registrar JohnLeech, AScT, CAE, presents Okanagan CollegePresident Jim Hamilton (left) and Vice-President Andrew Hay, PEng, an HonoraryMember of ASTTBC, with ‘TechnologyCareers… it’s TIME! clocks.

Novel Approach to Marketing…

STUDENT RECRUITMENTA COMMON GOALBased on a presentation given by TomRoemer, then Associate Dean for Science,Technology & Health at Okanagan Collegeand Andrew Hay, Vice-President Education,at the Conference for Industry andEducation Collaboration in February 2007.

As post-secondary institutions struggle tofill technical programs, the correspon-ding industries suffer from a dwindlingpool of suitable applicants. The dimin-ishing interest of high school students inmany areas of engineering and technolo-gy requires a multi-lateral effort fromeducators and industry alike.

The designations of AScT and CTechwere designed as a bridge between thefocus of professional engineers and fieldtechnicians, yet both designations remainvirtually unnoticed by the public.Moreover, high school counsellors andteachers are often not aware of the dis-tinction between engineering technologyand engineering, nor of engineering tech-nology as an intermediate tier betweenvocational trades and university engi-neering. As a result, high school gradu-ates are not adequately advised of allcareer options.

Okanagan College decided to useElectronic Engineering Technology as atest case for new approaches to market-ing. In particular, three employer-centricTV commercials were produced andaired repeatedly between August 2005and April 2006. Electronic EngineeringTechnology showed increases in applica-tions of up to 55%, something not mir-rored by other institutions in theprovince. When asked why they weretaking the program in 2006, for the firsttime more students responded ‘tobecome a technologist’ than ‘to becomean engineer’. ■

A First for BC…BEST SCHOOL FOR TECHNOLOGYThe first science and technology elementary school in BCopened when the Bert Edwards Elementary became the BertEdwards Science & Technology School… BEST.

“Virtually every subject is taught through and with a science andtechnology lens, which makes learning relevant, practical andinteresting,” says Ken Christian AScT. “As a member of theKamloops – Thompson Board of Education I was pleased thatASTTBC endorsed this parent-driven initiative.”

Initially the school was going to be named just with theterm ‘science’. ASTTBC proposed that the school include theterm ‘technology’. The final name was chosen from a listcompiled by parents, teachers and students. BEST School wasthe clear favorite.

Lyle Kil lough, AScT, President of GoControlsIncorporated, chaired the parent committee that drafted theoriginal proposal and he served on the school district com-mittee that produced the final proposal. “For those of us whowork in technology, the value of a science and technology-enriched education is easy to understand,” he says. “The supportthat we received from the leadership and members of ASTTBCassisted us greatly. Best of all, my three children think the schoolis fantastic!”

Kevin Kruger, Minister of State for Mining, who is the MLAfor Kamloops – North Thompson, stated in an email toASTTBC about the Association’s support for the Bert EdwardsScience and Technology School. “Well done ASTTBC. I am verypleased with School District 73’s initiatives, which include a grow-ing number of ‘schools of choice’. Like you, I was thrilled with thedecision to proceed with this one.” ■

North Needs Skilled Workers…CNC CONSIDERS CONSTRUCTIONTECHNOLOGY PROGRAMThe College of New Caledonia, along with the Prince GeorgeConstruction Association, pulled together a focus group tolook at implementing a Construction Technology Program.

This program was available until the downturn in the econo-my in the mid-1980s. The demand for technical training hasonce again picked up in the north. “I agreed to sit on this focusgroup representing ASTTBC,” said Heather Andreychuk, AScT.“There are two main approaches to technological training for theconstruction industry. One is for ongoing specific continuing edu-cation skills and the other is for a full two-year accredited technolo-gy program.”

A survey was conducted to discover what courses peoplewould be interested in taking. CNC contacted other techni-cal schools to look at partnerships for a ConstructionTechnology Program and an expression of interest has beenreceived from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.In the meantime, the College of New Caledonia’sContinuing Education Department is offering anIntroductory AutoCAD course this fall with HeatherAndreychuk, AScT, as the instructor. ■

Getting the Word Out…

ASTTBC MEETS SCIENCE TEACHERSASTTBC’s Manager, Internationally Educated ProfessionalsProgram, Geoff Sale, AScT, met with Sandy Wohl, theProvincial Secretary of the BC Science Teachers’ Association.They discussed the need to provide more information toteachers and students about career options in science andtechnology beyond that of scientist or scienceinstructor/teacher. The possibility of the two organizationsworking together to advance careers in technology also wasdiscussed. The idea of setting up a speakers’ bureau ofASTTBC members or representatives from industry whocould speak to students in the early Grades… perhaps build-ing on the ‘Scientists in the Schools’ project already being runby Science World …was suggested.

The BC Science Teachers’ Association is an association forthe professional development of educators in K – 12 gradesacross BC. ■

Kerry Jothen delivers presentation at AGM onTechnology Talent 2020, a Technology HRStrategy for BC being prepared by ASTTBC.

Technology Careers… it’s TIME!

PROMOTING CAREERAWARENESS A PRIORITYBy the time the Olympic Winter Gamescome to Vancouver and Whistler, it ispredicted the labour shortage in BCcould be as high as 350,000 people,according to Kerry Jothen, CEO ofHuman Capital Strategies.

“In the last 10 years the trades trainingsector has become much more visible thantechnology,” he said during a presentationat ASTTBC’s Annual General Meeting.“The media ignores technology and policymakers are focused elsewhere. But BC willnot realize its goal of a knowledge-basedeconomy without more technologists andtechnicians.”

ASTTBC is working to increase aware-ness through its ‘Technology Careers…it’s TIME!’ campaign. The campaign hasseveral components…

• Roundtable forums to bring togetheremployers, government, associations,educators and other stakeholders todevelop a concrete action plan on theshortage of skilled technologyworkers.

• Government relations around rightsto practice for technologists,technicians and technical specialists.

• Participating in National TechnologyWeek in November and sponsoringstudent events throughout the year.

• New awards by ASTTBC toencourage women in technology,technology in northern BC andtechnology in health care, plus morebursaries for students throughASTTBC’s charitable foundation.

• TechACTion… media campaign tocreate awareness about careers intechnology and the important roleplayed by technologists, techniciansand technical specialists.

“To young people, technolog y meansan iPod,” says Keith Switzer, AScT,ASTTBC Past President. “We need todeal with this and we need to clarify thepuzzle for young people. We need to dowhat we can to facilitate a career continu-um from trades to professions.” ■

Editor’s note: Technology Talent 2020 is now entitled

‘Technology Skills 2020’. Draft of document is avail-

able for downloading at… www.asttbc.org/RTSS

John Leech, AScT, CAE, Executive Director & Registrar (left) and Jason Jung,AScT, Manager, Technology Careers (right) present ASTTBC ‘TechnologyCareers… it’s TIME!’ clocks to BCIT representatives Dr. Verna Magee-Shepherd,Acting President and Dr. Ken Takagaki, Acting Vice President, Education.

College Liaison…EDUCATION A CORNERSTONEOF CERTIFICATIONTODAY’S STUDENTS are tomorrow’s technology profession-als. ASTTBC puts a high priority on connecting with the stu-dents and faculty at BCIT and the colleges.

“Understandably students are immersed in their studies and havetheir eyes on that first job,” says Jason Jung, AScT, Manager,Technology Careers. “We encourage them to take a long-termview, to consider professional responsibility and how ASTTBC canhelp their careers through things like professional status, ethics,errors and omissions insurance, the member compensation surveyand labour mobility… not to mention being part of 50,000 like-minded professionals across Canada.”

ASTTBC participated in the orientation fair at BCIT this fall.First-year students converged on the BCIT Great Hall to visitvendors, partners and other related groups as an introductionto student life on campus. Many students from the technologyprograms visited the ASTTBC booth. Student presentationsand recruitment have been scheduled at BCIT, Camosun andOkanagan College until the end of the year.

ASTTBC is also working with Deans at BCIT and the collegeswith regards to automating a student registration process. ■

ASTTBC Signs On as Sponsor…STUDENT CATAPULTCOMPETITION A HITLAST FEBRUARY, Wood WORKS! organized a student cata-pult competition at UBC.

Two engineering technology students from Okanagan Collegewon the event. The competition attracted the attention of printand TV media. In fact, it was so well received, that WoodWORKS! is making the Catapult Competition an annual event.

ASTTBC has come on board as First Place Overall WinnerSponsor for the next three years. The money will help the win-ning team cover the cost of materials and participation. Thecompetition is an opportunity for students to explore wooddesign, and learn about the attributes and strength of wood. ■

Kamloops May Lead the Way…HIGH SCHOOL FOR TRADES &TECHNOLOGY PROPOSEDThe Kamloops–Thompson School District is looking into estab-lishing a high school that focuses on the trades. ASTTBC isencouraging the School District to expand the focus to includetechnology, opening up the possibility for some graduates to go onto technologist or technician programs at Thompson RiversUniversity or one of the other colleges. ■

P A R T N E R S I N T E C H N O L O G Y

20082004 2005 2006 20072001

Updated FEAT logo and continued to grow the Foundation’s Endowment Fund, supporting careers intechnology initiatives during Merger Discussion between APEGBC + ASTTBC… nominal activity byASTTBC as future of the Association as an independent entity was ‘in limbo’ 2005… returned to ‘business as usual’ 2006… expanded careers promotion campaign 2007… ramped up National Technology Week

2000 – 2005… discussion on Proposed Merger withAPEGBC, which redirected most of the Association’s focus andresources on exploring options and due diligence associated withASTTBC becoming an integral component of APEGBC

Hosted BCT Conference, published Shaping OurFuture position paper on Building Careers inTechnology, placed ads raising profile on careersand technology skills shortage

Launched TCiT Campaign and facilitateddialogue on technology skills shortage viaIndustry Roundtable (RTSS I) and AllStakeholders Roundtable (RTSS II)

Association Sponsors 24th Annual…SPAGHETTI BRIDGEBUILDING CONTEST

The 24th Annual Spaghetti BridgeBuilding Contest at Okanagan Collegedraws competitors from around theworld and throughout the region.

ASTTBC’s charitable foundation,the Foundation for Education &Advancement in Technology, has provid-ed financial support for the contest formost of the past decade. “Action eventslike this one really catch the students’ inter-est,” said FEAT Executive Director, TedNodwell, CAE.

This year ASTTBC stepped up as spon-sor of the individual and team awards in both the SecondarySchool and Post Secondary School categories. “We were thrilledto be connected again in 2007, this time with ASTTBC as thesponsor several of the major awards,” said John Leech, AScT,CAE, Executive Director & Registrar of ASTTBC.

Students from Okanagan College dominated the PostSecondary team competition placing first, second and third.More than 300 competitors took part, including elementarystudents who showcased their creativity in the bridges theybuilt for display. ■

(left to right) John Leech, AScT, CAE, ASTTBC; Mark Evered, VicePresident, Thompson Rivers University; Annette Glover, Kamloops SchoolTrustee; and Jeff Putnam, Director, Development, City of Kamloops.

24 Hour Event…KAMTECH PROMOTESTECHNOLOGY CAREERSIn March, ASTTBC rolled several events into one marathon,high-energy session. ‘KamTECH… Focus 24’ was billed as ‘a24 hour look at careers’. It was held in Kamloops. As the handsswept the clock, KamTECH brought together youth, parents,employers and members… in fact, anyone with an interest incareers in technology.

The first event was an evening in which ASTTBC staff and mem-bers joined with industry and education representatives to talk withparents and students about technology careers. Members ofASTTBC and practitioners in health care and trades offered theirperspectives on career opportunities. Next, at a meeting with com-munity leaders, ASTTBC brought attention to the need to worktogether to enhance awareness and address systemic barriers to tech-nology careers. While in Kamloops, ASTTBC’s Executive Director& Registrar, John Leech, AScT, CAE, and School Trustee AnnetteGlover, were interviewed on local radio. As a wrap up, ASTTBChosted a forum with members in the Kamloops region. ■

Recognizing Innovation…ASTTBC SPONSORS AWARDFOR SCI-TECH NORTHASTTBC sponsored a Technology Leadership Award for Sci-TechNorth, one of nine regional science councils. The ASTTBC awardrecognizes a person who has demonstrated leadership in developingor applying technology and who has contributed to the Fort St. Johncommunity, especially as a role model and in promoting technologycareers. Sci-Tech North’s annual Innovation Awards recognize theingenuity and solution-oriented creativity that the enterprises andindividuals of Northeastern BC exhibit. Nominees are consideredfrom all the communities of the Peace, Liard and Stikine regions. ■

John Leech, AScT, CAE, ASTTBC (right) pres-ents a cheque to Gord Stewart of the BIG LittleScience Centre in Kamloops.

ASTTBC Helps ScienceCentre…SPONSORSHIP ABIG LITTLE DEALThe BIG Little Science Centre inKamloops has grown from a one-room‘fun place to visit’ into a science educa-tion centre of excellence. It has morethan 130 hands-on displays for youngpeople and provides lessons on topicsfrom the new BC science curriculum,such as simple machines, chemistry,aquatic insects, magnetism and electrici-ty. The BIG Little Science Centre bringsscience to life for kids of all ages andserves as a model for enhancing scienceand technology awareness.

The BIG Little Science Centre will takeup residence at the Bert Edwards Science& Technology School, which has becomethe first ‘school of choice’ focused on sci-ence and technology in BC.

The Ministry of Education granted$25,000 toward the BIG Little ScienceCentre. ASTTBC donated an additional$2,500 to help the Centre succeed andgrow. “The ASTTBC cheque is a signifi-cant contribution,” said Gord Stewart,Executive Director of the BIG LittleScience Centre. Annette Glover, a trusteefor School District 73 echoed this senti-ment, “Both the Big Little Science Centreand the BEST School are on a high rightnow as are a lot of well-deserving individu-als, supporters and volunteers. Thanks toyou as well for being so supportive at such adistance!” ■

Generating excitement is the ‘name of the game’… three of many who had agreat time at the 2007 Spaghetti Bridge event!

A hopeful competitorproudly displaying herbridge design.

Henry Murphy, AScT, ASTTBC’s Community Rep for Kelowna, setting up abridge entry on the ‘Fettuccini Fault Line’, which progressively loads the bridgeuntil it fails.

John Leech, AScT, CAE, Executive Director & Registrar for ASTTBC (r),with Professor Terry Stewart (l) from Okanagan College, and several youthexploring their potential and interest in bridge building.

Attention

Geomatics Technologists

and Technicians

The Association of British Columbia LandSurveyors invites you to consider a career asa commissioned professional land surveyor.If you are working in the field of cadastralland surveying and are not currently regis-tered as a Survey Student please contact theRegistrar at the Association office in Sidney(250) 655-7222 to sign up today.

For more informationcheck out our web site at…

www.bclandsurveyors.bc.ca

The Association ofBritish ColumbiaLand Surveyors

CTech Seal O (70%285).art eps

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WWhhoo aarree wwee??• We build roads and generate power – but we are not engineers.• We design robots and troubleshoot electrical equipment – but we’re not

technicians.• We make hospitals work and clean your water – but we are not scientists.

We are a little of all of the above. We are the glue between them. We are Technology Professionals.

Check it out…

www.asttbc.org

Online Information Available…WORKBC A RESOURCEFOR EMPLOYERS &EMPLOYEESWorkBC is an online guide to employ-ment resources. The web site is a one-stopsource of information on finding workand planning a career in BC. Employerscan access labour market information andinformation on hiring, interviewing andretention. The WorkBC Action Plan,which outlines government plans toattract and recruit skilled workers to theprovince, is also posted.

Visit… www.WorkBC.ca

Forestry Programs Cut…LOW ENROLLMENT INSPITE OF JOBSWhen it comes to career opportunities,students may not be able to see the forestfor the trees. BCIT closed its two forestryprograms this year due to low enrollment.The demand for forest professionals isprojected to grow and the employmentrate for forest technology programs isalready running at 100%. Unfortunatelyyoung people are either not getting themessage or are choosing other careeroptions. While Malaspina UniversityCollege, Selkirk College and the Collegeof New Caledonia still offer forest tech-nology programs, the BCIT program wasthe only one in the Lower Mainland. ■

Dr. Brian Carr, Dean of Sciences at Kwantlen University College, is an Honorary Member of ASTTBC.

New Trades & Technology Centre…KWANTLEN ADDRESSES SKILLS SHORTAGE

The new Kwantlen University College Trades and TechnologyCentre opened its doors in 2007. Kwantlen’s trades programs, withthe exception of Horticulture, were moved to the new Cloverdale

Campus, and through their new Dean, Dana Goedbloed, they offer some of the mostadvanced trades training facilities in Canada.

Dr. Brian Carr, Dean of Sciences at Kwantlen, is an Honorary Member ofASTTBC. “Economic growth combined with a huge chunk of the workforce retiringwithin the next ten years has placed enormous pressure on industry, government and thepost-secondary system to fill the vacancies,” he says. “Many of these jobs are linked to tech-nological growth and they are jobs that will demand even greater skills training.”

Dr. Carr served as Chair of the National Council for Deans of Technology wheretechnology enrollment shortfalls are a common topic. “Many other developed coun-tries face the same looming skills shortfall as Canada,” he says. “Adding to this challengeis the growing difficulty of recruiting new students, especially those in their late teens orearly twenties, to enter post-secondary trades and technology programs when there areabundant low skill jobs available that pay well in their minds. The low percentage ofhigh school students taking the math and physics required for entry into the technologiesis another problem.”

Dr. Carr applauded ASTTBC’s efforts to promote technology careers. “The terms‘trades’ and ‘technology’ are often mistakenly interwoven to mean the same thing,” says Dr.Carr, “and this does disservice to the efforts of recruiting students into the educational andtraining programs representing both career fields.”

Technologists and technicians are typically graduates of a two or three year programat post-secondary institutes and colleges. The employment rate for technology gradu-ates is extremely high. Certified technologists in BC earn an average of $68,000 peryear according to the most recent ASTTBC compensation survey. ■

Skilled Professionals in Demand…ASSOCIATIONS SURVEY MEMBER COMPENSATIONS LEVELSMany of BC’s professional associations survey their members to compile typical compen-sation levels. This data is useful for both members of the associations and their employ-ers, particularly as the demand for highly skilled professionals continues to increase.

Professional Engineers and Geoscientists $84,0001

Architects $73,0002

Registered Professional Foresters $73,0003

Registered Forest Technologists $57,0003

Applied Science Technologists $67,5004

Certified Technicians $64,5004

Notes… Sources:

1. APEGBC 2006 Report on Members’ Compensation & Benefits; median total annual compensation

2. AIBC 2007 Salary Survey; weighted average salary for a senior architect

3. ABCFP 2006 Report on Members’ Compensation & Benefits; average salary

4. ASTTBC Member Compensation Survey 2007; median salaries reported

Figures rounded to nearest $500

ASTTBC assumes no responsibility for accuracy in reporting these figures or for use. Survey methodology and criteria may vary from association to

association, making direct or simplified comparisons difficult. Please check the appropriate association web site as needed.

Trades & Technology Leadership…DEGREE LAUNCHED AT THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY

A Bachelor of Technology degree in Trades and TechnologyLeadership is being offered at Thompson Rivers University inKamloops. The new degree was approved by the Minister ofAdvanced Education in March 2007. Thompson Rivers University

has arranged a laddering agreement for its students who have an Engineering Designand Drafting Technology Diploma. These graduates are eligible to receive creditstoward the Bachelor of Technology in technology management. The remaining cred-its can be earned by distance through TRU’s Open Learning division. ■

Campus 2020 Report Released…THE FUTURE OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONThe provincial government has pub-lished a report on the future of BC’spost-secondary education system. Thereport, entitled ‘Campus 2020: ThinkingAhead, The Report’, makes 52 recom-mendations on how to build on thestrengths of BC’s existing system of high-er education.

ASTTBC made a submission toCampus 2020 entitled ‘ReformingTechno logy Educa t i on i n BC :Economic Role, Policy Gaps andRecommendations’. ASTTBC voicedconcerns about enrollments at BCIT andthe colleges, strategic leadership for tech-nology education and career awareness,opportunities to introduce technologyeducation in K – 12 and the need fortechnology programs in Northern BC.

A copy of the final report is availableonline at…

www.aved.gov.bc.ca/campus2020

Trades & Technology Centreto be Included…CHILLIWACK TO GET‘CANADA EDUCATIONPARK’EARLY IN 2007 Premier GordonCampbell announced that the Provincewill invest $29 million in a trades andtechnology centre for the UniversityCollege of the Fraser Valley’s newChilliwack campus. The trades and tech-nology centre will be part of ‘CanadaEducation Park’, BC’s first full-serviceeducation park. UCFV expects to have1,800 students on the campus by theend of the decade. Other partners join-ing UCFV at the park include theJustice Institute of BC, the RCMP andthe World Trade University. UCFV isalso in discussions with severalChinese universities, as well as theChilliwack School District.The School District andUCFV are planning tointegrate the K – 12and post-secondarysystems to boost stu-dent participationand completion ratesat all levels. ■

employersconnect

members logonSKILLED KNOWLEDGEABLE WORKERS are at the core of realizing sustainable,responsible development in British Columbia. The success of your enterprisein a dynamic global market will depend on the professionals on your team.

Add value to your team by employing technology professionalsregistered with ASTTBC… highly qualified technical personnel who are job-ready with education and experience.

Employers… ask for our Employer Liaison package to learnhow technology professionals can benefit your enterprise.

Shaping BC’s FutureShaping BC’s Future

For more information…

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HR Strategy Vital…TECHNOLOGY SKILLS ACTIONPLAN UNVEILED

Technology workers in BC contributesignificantly to public and worker safety.They help build provincial infrastruc-ture and all types of buildings. And theyare on the front lines of resource man-agement, manufacturing, and the designand use of state-of-the-art technology.However, BC is facing a critical shortageof these professionals, which will getworse without action. BC needs the par-

ticipation of industry leaders and other stakeholders willing toinvest the time, money and effort needed to design and imple-ment a comprehensive strategic plan.

As a result of discussions at a roundtable hosted by ASTTBC, aTechnology Skills Action Plan has been written. The vision of thislong-term human resources strategy is a growing, diverse and sus-tainable BC economy supported by well-trained, qualified andfully-engaged technologists, technicians and technical specialistscombined with a responsive, flexible education and training system.

‘Technology Skills Action Plan for BC’ identifies the follow-ing proactive solutions…

• Establish a ‘Technology Education & Careers Council’ ofsenior employer representatives and other stakeholders tooversee and champion the action plan

• Develop a technology human resource strategy, ‘TechnologySkills 2020’

• Convene a Roundtable on Technology Skills Shortageduring National Technology Week 2007

• Champion an Advanced Education Strategy that includestargeted spaces and initiatives for technology programs inpublic post-secondary colleges, institutes and universitycolleges

• Initiate programming in K – 12 that enhances awareness oftechnology education and careers

• Partner with governments to initiate a technology skillslabour market project that provides provincial, regional andsectoral labour market demand and supply projections fortechnology occupations

• Partner with governments to enhance technology skillsforeign credential assessment, recognition and mentoring

• Develop practical HR tools for small and medium-sizedbusinesses to recruit, mentor and retain technologyprofessionals

• Support lifelong learning for, and retention of, mid-careerand older technology professionals

• Initiate a program to engage under-utilized labour forcegroups, including women, First Nations and BritishColumbians with disabilities

A copy of the ‘Technology Skills Action Plan’ is available fordownloading at… www.asttbc.org/RTSS

FEAT Bursaries…RECIPIENTS SAY ‘THANKS!’“Thank you for the FEAT Reg Ridsdale Memorial Award. I hope tobecome an individual that makes your organization proud, epitomiz-ing all of the values your organization stands for and by which it hascreated its highly-regarded reputation.” Hongbo Zhang, BCIT

“The FEAT award is greatly appreciated and will be used to helppay off student debt.” Zachary Herzog, College of NewCaledonia

“I’d like to thank you for supporting me in the steel detailing pro-gram at VCC. It meant a good start to my career in Canada. I’mnow proud to be an employee of Dowco, one of the largest steeldetailing companies in the world.” Mei Feng Sun, VancouverCommunity College

“Thank you for the FEAT Frank Blunden Memorial Award. It isa great reward for the hard work I have put into my school work.”Tyler Thompson, BCIT

“My goal is to contribute in the research and medical devices dedi-cated to help people stay healthy. I am truly grateful to be the recip-ient of the FEAT/IBET award.” Laura Ren, BCIT

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“It is my genuine pleasure to receive professional recognitionthrough the AScT designation. This is a major milestone for mycareer development.”

Daniel Tin, AScT, C&E Building Products Inc.

“Thanks very much for the lovely clock. We have met before and Iappreciate the work of your organization.”

Leonard Krog, MLA for Nanaimo

“I just wanted to pass along a quick thank you for all the continuedsupport of Camosun College and the technologies programs. You aresuperstars and I thoroughly appreciate this help and support.”

John Horn, Camosun College

“Thanks so much for your help. You must represent a greatorganization.”

Frank Ball, Alberni Valley Employment Centre

“Thank you for being such a generous sponsor of CEBC’s 2007Awards for Engineering Excellence Gala.”

Glenn Martin, Consulting Engineers of BC

“The inaugural gala of MISTIC’s Science, Technology &Innovation Awards was attended by nearly 250 people, and yourcontribution to its success set the tone for this as an annual event.”

Carolyn Tatton, Mid-Island Science, Technology & InnovationCouncil

“On behalf of the Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition, I wouldlike to thank ASTTBC for your donation to sponsor the individualand team building competitions.”

Michelle Lowry, Okanagan College

“We appreciate your showing your support for the CatapultCompetition by your generous donation.”

Mary Tracey, BC Wood WORKS! / Canadian Wood Council

“Your Silver Sponsorship of Heavy Metal Rocks 2007 contributedgreatly to our success and we appreciate it.”

Rosalind Thorn, Prince George Construction Association

“Thanks for providing a tradeshow booth at the BOABC 52ndAnnual Conference.”

Rick Hodgson, RBO, CTech, Building Officials’ Association of BC

“Congratulations on a stellar annual report. Having just come fromthe association world, I can safely say you’ve raised the bar.”

Kevin Evans, Industry Training Authority

“I know that many of our new advisors learned about theopportunity from your publicizing it. Thank you for getting themessage out to your members.”

Courtney Hendricson, BC Safety Authority

“I enjoyed meeting local technologists, hearing about upcomingwork in the Prince George area and seeing business people in thisregion rewarded for their creativity and hard work!”

Gina Purchase, L&M Engineering

“I was having a late lunch and turned on the radio, CBC, andheard a discussion on home inspections… good interview!”

Vic Lipp, AScT

“Just a note of appreciation to you for a good AGM. Well done.”

Ron Green, AScT

You Told Us…You Told Us…

High school students research, design, build andrace… solar-powered cars.

Jason Jung, AScT, Manager, Technology Careersmans the ASTTBC information both at the SkillsCanada BC provincial competition in April 2007.

Event Connect Youth + Industry…ASTTBC TALKS TOYOUTH AT SKILLS CANADASkills Canada competitions allow stu-dents to access the newest technologiesand communicate with industry expertswho serve as mentors. The philosophy ofthe skills competitions is to reward stu-dents for excellence, to directly involveindustry in evaluating student perform-ance and to keep training relevant toemployers’ needs. The competitionsencourage students to explore careeroptions. Hundreds of students take parteach year. ASTTBC hosted a displaybooth at the provincial competition toprovide information on careers as a tech-nologist or technician. ■

P A R T N E R S I N T E C H N O L O G Y

Are YOU online? Do it today!www.TechPROfile.ca

T E C H N O L O G Y P R O F E S S I O N A L S A T W O R K

BCIT students worked with ASTTBC, in cooperation with theConsulting Engineers of BC, to conduct a survey of engineer-ing firms. Thirty-one companies participated.

• The demand to fill the jobs of technologists and techniciansis very high and therefore many employers are not requiringcertification from potential employees

• 97% find it difficult to acquire qualified applicants, yet only50% of them were aware of the online HR service availablethrough ASTTBC, the Canadian Technical EmploymentNetwork (CTEN)… www.cten.ca

• The main reason for not requiring certification fortechnologists and technicians was because professionalengineers have to sign off on the work anyway

Bob Matula, AScT, and Kay Matula, AScT, haveboth been members of ASTTBC for 25 years.

Satisfaction & FutureDirections…ASTTBC MEMBERSURVEY UNDERWAYASTTBC is conducting a survey tomeasure how well the Association isdoing and to find out what members feelASTTBC should focus on going for-ward. The survey is being conductedonline although members who do nothave access to the Internet can fill in apaper version that is available from theoffice. Great prizes will be drawn fromthe responses received, including a skitrip to Whistler or a weekend Victoriaget-away package.

Survey results will be posted on theASTTBC web site and highlights will bepublished in ASTT News…

www.asttbc.com/ms07

Member Services Update…IDENTITY THEFTCOVERAGE ADDEDTD Meloche Monnex is adding IdentityTheft coverage as an optional endorse-ment to home insurance policies forASTTBC members. One of the mostprecious possessions a person can lose istheir identity, such as when someonesteals their social insurance number orother identification and uses it to estab-lish credit accounts, secure loans, signcontracts or commit crimes. Re-estab-lishing bank, credit and legal records andrestoring credibility can take a lot of timeand effort. With ‘Identity Plus’ a casemanager will contact authorities, creditbureaus, creditors and businesses, initiatethe restoration process and issue reim-bursement for expenses.

For information, visit…www.melochemonnex.com/asttbc

For list of 2007 activities…

www.asttbc.org/ntw

• Employers were almost always willing to pay to supportemployees for continuing education and dues even if theydid not require certification

• The ratio of engineers to technologists and technicians wasclose to 1:1

ASTTBC also asked BCIT students in Marketing Managementto survey resigned and cancelled members of ASTTBC fromthe last two years. 193 former members responded to a phoneor email survey. The most significant reason for resigningwas… ‘job not requiring it’, followed by ‘moved’, then ‘cost’. Athird of those over 55 stated that retirement was their reasonfor resignation. The survey team recommended creating a men-tor program with a membership discount for retirees and achance to tutor younger members. ■

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WHEN BOB AND KAY MATULA go to work in themorning they may drive in different directions, butthey both head to jobs that are related to the con-

struction industry.Bob Matula, AScT, CEC, is Vice President, Pre-Construction

at Vanbots Construction Inc. Kay Matula, AScT, RBO, is aCommercial Plan Reviewer with the City of Surrey. This hus-band and wife technologist duo have been members of ASTTBCfor 25 years. And they are both graduates of the BuildingTechnology program at BCIT. “We met in class,” says Kay.

Vanbots does around $600 million of construction each yearacross Canada and in the UK, the USA, Bermuda, the Bahamasand Mexico. “Our Richmond office has done several projects atVancouver General Hospital and we are doing the domestic termi-nal at Vancouver International Airport,” says Bob.

There are approximately 180 people working in thePlanning & Development Department at the City of Surreyto keep up with pace of development. “I started in 1985 doingplan checking for single family dwellings,” says Kay. “Now Icheck plans to conform to the Zoning Bylaws and the BCBuilding Code for multi-residential, commercial, industrial andinstitutional buildings.”

Their start was modest. Bob was a carpenter who returned toschool to complete his high school diploma before heading toBCIT. Kay’s father had been an engineer in Korea, which iswhat sparked her interest in BCIT. Jobs were scarce in the con-

struction industry in the early 1980’s however Kay landed a jobwith a small contractor even before she graduated. “I waslucky,” she says with a smile. “There were very few women in theindustry and my employer got a grant to encourage women to workin non-traditional fields.” Bob soon joined the same firm as anestimator. A few years later however, construction in BC stalledand they were both laid off… on the same day as they gotapproved for a mortgage on their new home.

Bob eventually went to work with Ledcor and this time histiming was perfect. Developers were starting to build high risesafter Expo 86. He did the estimating and project managementon Ledcor’s first high rise project. For the past three years hehas been with Vanbots. “Now there is a real shortage of people,”he says. “Ironically, the next construction slowdown in BC may becaused by a lack of people. It’s a really good opportunity to get intothe industry.”

Kay Matula agrees. “I think a lot of women should get intoBuilding Technology,” she says. “If you are capable you should doit. It’s a good field.”

One change they have noticed in the world of work is moreflexibility and information sharing than in previous decades.With today’s fast pace and labour shortage, people can reallyput their skills and talents to work. What hasn’t changed in 25years is the challenging and interesting careers, the opportunityfor continual learning and the chance to team up with highlyskilled colleagues. ■

Member Profile…COUPLE FOLLOWS PARALLEL CAREER TRACK

(l to r, back to front) Randy Chencharik, GradTech; Brian Brown,AScT; Pat Bell, MLA, Prince George North; Anders Malpass, AScT;John Rustad, MLA, Prince George – Omineca; Shirley Bond, MLA

Prince George – Mount Robson.

Making Links on the Golf Links

Eight ASTTBC members played in the Liberal Golf Tournament inPrince George that was attended by Premier Campbell and a numberof MLAs. The ASTTBC foursomes were organized by Judy Dix, wife

of ASTTBC Community Representative, Colin Dix, AScT, EngL.

Harry Diemer, CEO, BC SafetyAuthority; Honorary Member of ASTTBC

ASTTBC Makes Timefor Busy Executives

Rick Hodgson, CTech, RBO;President, BOABC

Manley McLachlan, CEO, BCConstruction Association

ASTTBC clocks to promote the‘Technology Careers… it’s TIME!’

campaign were presented to executivesof the several organizations.

Sharon Shepherd, Mayor,City of Kelowna

B U I L D I N G L I N K S

Industry & Former Members Provide Feedback…STUDENTS CONDUCT SURVEYS FOR ASTTBC

ISSUE 121 • AUGUST-DECEMBER 2007ISSN 1198–7758 • Printed in Canada

ASTT News is published by the Applied Science Technologists andTechnicians of BC.

PUBLISHER’S INFORMATION

Editor: Ted Nodwell, CAE (editor@asttbc.org)Art Direction: Richard J. Mayer, AScTDesign: Rayna Smeltzer

The opinions expressed in ASTT NEWS are not necessarily those ofASTTBC or its directors. All rights reserved. This publication maybe reproduced provided credit is given as to the source of such mate-rial. ASTT NEWS is available by registration in ASTTBC or paidsubscription. Current circulation is more than 9,500.

ADVERTISING… Richard Mayer, tel.: (604) 946-7864 / fax:(604) 946-7829 / e-mail: rmayer@asttbc.orgSUBSCRIPTION… $65 per yearCOMPLIMENTARY MAILINGS… ASTTBC maintains a compli-mentary mailing list for the purposes of distributing ASTT Newsand important bulletins to government, educators and technologystakeholders in business and industry.

CANADA POST… Publications mail registration No.01894714 98, Vancouver, BC. Send changes of address to:10767 – 148th Street, Surrey, BC V3R 0S4, PH: 604-585-2788, FX: 604-585-2790

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…on the web

A virtual marketplace featuring greatproducts, services, networks and more!

Member services on ASTTXChange…

• ASTTBC MasterCard Card – MBNACanada Bank

• Auto Sales & Leasing – Quinella Auto• Cellular Phones/Long Distance – Cityfone• Clothing – Mark’s Work Wearhouse• Car Rentals – Hertz• Disability, Accident, Health & Dental

Insurance, Group Term Life Insurance –Manulife Financial

• Home Insurance – Meloche Monnex• Internet Design & Consulting – ImagiNet• Professional Liability Insurance –

ENCON / Willis Canada Inc.

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YOUR ASSOCIATION AT WORK

ASTTBC IS ON TRACK with the 2007 Work Plan and ismaking excellent progress in enhancing profes-

sional regulation and increasing the recognition of ASTTBCand members. Highlights from the Executive Director’s reportsto Council include…

• Five ‘Guides to Professional Practice’ were approved byCouncil.

• A policy for the proposed Registered Technology Manager(RTMgr) certification program was drafted.

• ASTTBC recommended to government that professionalregistration of house inspectors should rest with ASTTBC.

• ASTTBC recommended to AIBC and government that anypotential amendments to the Architects Act includeappropriate recognition of the qualifications of ASTTBC-registered professionals, possibly through an exemption fortechnologists and technicians.

• Proposed transfer of the Forest Measurements ResourcesBoard to ABCFP under discussion.

• ASTTBC has connected with, or made submissions to, thefollowing about issues that could impact members…

– BC Safety Authority– BC Work Futures– Campus 2020– Green Building Code– Homeowner Protection Legislation– Industry Training Authority Audit– Modernization Project– Pacific Northwest Economic Region Forum– Trade, Investment & Labour Mobility Agreement

BC–Alberta (TILMA)– WorkSafeBC

• Practice Review Board investigated 15 complaints to the endof September.

• ASTTBC’s Annual General Meeting was held May 25. Thetheme was ‘Technology Careers… it’s TIME!’

• Community meetings were convened with ASTTBCmembers in Kelowna and Kamloops.

• ASTTBC continued to connect with students at BCIT andthe colleges.

• Formal meetings, or informal exchanges, were held withPremier Campbell and with…

– Minister of Advanced Education– Minister of Economic Development– Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General– Minister of State for Mining– Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations

• Discussions with other associations during the periodincluded…

– Association of BC Forest Professionals– Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of

BC– BC Innovation Council– Building Officials Association of BC

• Communications services to members expanded.

• New web site launched.

• Activities relating to ASTTBC Institutes and SpecialCertification programs included…

– Promotion for the BC Institute of Property Inspectors atthe PNE

– Joint task force between AIBC and the BuildingDesigners Institute of BC on professional regulation ofbuilding designers

– Sponsorship of a WorkSafeBC seminar for ConstructionSafety Officers

– Continued enhancement of the Onsite WastewaterRegistration Program

– Discussions with the Deputy Fire Commissioner aboutprovince-wide certification for Fire ProtectionTechnicians

• ASTTBC continued to participate in addressing the humanresources needs in technology…

– TechCANADA Roundtable, Ottawa, February– KamTECH… FOCUS 24, Kamloops, March– Roundtable on Technology Skills Shortage, Vancouver,

June– Roundtable on Technology Skills Shortage II, Vancouver,

October– ‘Technology Careers… it’s TIME!’ awareness campaign– TechPRO web site to create awareness of the scope and

variety of work being done by members

• ASTTBC media advertising campaign continued.

• ASTTBC provided sponsorships for a number oforganizations and events including…

– BC Safety Authority Lieutenant Governor’s Awards forPublic Safety

– BIG Little Science Centre– BOABC Building Code Workshops– Consulting Engineers of BC Awards Gala– Girls Exploring Trades & Technology Camp (BCIT)– Health Forum ‘Technology Leadership Award’– MISTIC ‘Technology Leadership Award’– Natural Resources Forum ‘Technology Provider’ Award– Okanagan College Spaghetti Bridge Competition– Prince George Construction Association Career Fair– Today’s Woman Show ‘Technology Leadership Award’– WoodWORKS! Catapult Competition

• Two new ASTTBC awards for women in technology wereestablished.

• FEAT bursaries to students total a record $24,000 in 2007.

Complete Executive Director and Registrar Reports, as well asASTTBC Council Minutes are available for downloading fromthe ASTTBC web site…

www.asttbc.org

Member Contact Info…Do we have your correct emaila d d r e s s ? P l e a s e l o g o n t owww.asttbc.org to update yourcontact information if you havemoved, changed your email addressor have a new employer.

Are YOU online?Do it today!

www.TechPROfile.caT E C H N O L O G Y P R O F E S S I O N A L S A T W O R K