TPBC AGM HEARS FROM BIOLOGISTS AND ENGINEERS & GEOSCIENTISTS
The very first AGM was a solid success, with participants hearing about the early developments of TPBC. In addition to a report on 2024 (TPBC’s first full year of operation) the Meeting heard from Pamela Zevitt, RPBio, a Past President of the Association of Professional Biology and Pria Sandhu, CEO of BC Society of Engineering and Geoscience, both advocacy bodies similar to TPBC. Thanks to Pria and Pamela and to TPBC members for attending the AGM.
TPBC PRESENTS TO BC LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
CEO John Leech made a presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. On behalf of TPBC John called on the BC Government to engage in 3 areas: (1) enhancing awareness of technology education and careers; (2) investing in a study to document graduation rates for techs and the contribution made to GDP by technology professionals; and, (3) investing in an update of the national accreditation standard for technology education. The Committee, Chaired by Paul Choi, MLA (Burnaby South-Metrotown), seemed quite keen to learn about TPBC and its role as an advocate for technology education and careers and asked a number of questions on the proposal.
NEW TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS – Tracy Smith, CTech, CHI, CEA
The members at AGM 2025 elected Tracy Smith to the TPBC Board of Directors. Tracy is registered with ASTTBC and is a member of TPBC and the Building Officials Association of BC. Tracy is an energy advisor with National Resources Canada. She has been a volunteer with ASTTBC for about 10 years and is a Professional Advisor with TPBC. Self-employed, Tracy offers building inspections and energy audits.
Welcome aboard Tracy!
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
Watch for a new photo contest which will be announced during NEAT – National Engineering and Applied Science Technology Week – November 24 – 28.
TPBC WRITES MINISTER OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION & FUTURE CAREERS
As a follow-up on the presentation to the Government Committee on Finance, CEO John Leech wrote to the Minister to seek government support for a new program to enhance awareness of technology education and careers. “There has been much work done in recent decades in BC and nationally to promote trades careers, with great results”, said Leech. “It is critically important that we also invest heavily in ‘middle ground’ careers in engineering and applied science technology.” A sense of concern about community awareness of the great careers in technology was communicated to Minister Anne Kang. “Since the letter was sent TPBC was directed to the Deputy Minister’s office to follow up on the TPBC proposals. “I am connecting with the Deputy and other Ministry staff to present suggestions on implementation of the three recommendations,” said Leech.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PROGRAM
The Indigenous Peoples relationship is moving ahead at a steady pace. This Spring Dawn McGrath, a member of the TPBC Board and strong matriarch of the Secwepmc Nation attended the 21st annual Gathering Our Voices conference convened in Kamloops. Dawn wrote a very interesting piece based on her presentation, which was supported by her son Maddex. HERE is Dawn’s article. THANKS Dawn for a great job in representing technology education and careers.
TEChub STARTS TO GATHER STEAM
TPBC is building a ‘blue chip’ group to help TPBC carry its message to governments at all levels and others. The group convened its first virtual meeting and during the meeting considered a purpose statement and looked at organizational structure. The group agreed to meet again this Fall at which time they will appoint two of its members as Co-Chair, confirm their focus as a group and prepare a work plan.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM DEVELOPS VISION STATEMENT
STEM Pathways ; empowering abilities is a TPBC program designed to support and assist people with disabilities as they pursue a STEM education and career. Amelia Cooper, a member of the TPBC Board, has provided strong support in developing a statement of Vision, Mission and Goals. The Vision Statement:
A world where everyone has fair and equal opportunities for education and employment in technology, especially people with disabilities working in STEM-related professions. TPBC is poised to build a program that will work with individuals, other organizations and employers to help realize the full potential of technology skills. Thanks Amelia for your leadership.
BUILD IT… THEY WILL COME
The Board decided early on that we will build the foundation of the association before actively recruiting members. A 5-minute scan of the TPBC web site will provide you with info on a number of programs that are being developed. We encourage you to loop back to the web site from time to time to see progress as the association evolves.
LEADERS – BUILDERS > MEMBER INFO PACKAGE TO SHARE
We are looking for those in engineering and applied science technology who see the benefit of an organization like TPBC and who wish to step up as ‘early adopters’. YES, we are open for new members in 2025, in advance of a full-on member recruitment initiative anticipated for 2026. We encourage each member to bring in one new member this year. We have developed a one-page info piece members may use to encourage others to join TPBC. See that document HERE. If you need assistance or would like someone from the Board or staff to reach out to a prospective member please email us at info@techprobc.org. We will help.
TECH EDUCATION & CAREERS AWARNESS – A CRITICAL NEED
Under the BUILD BETTER BC (BBBC) banner TPBC is offering proposals on matters relating to engineering and applied science technology. Our intent is to offer possible solutions / suggestions to address current matters such as the need for greater awareness of STEM education and careers, climate change, and more.
MEMBER ASSISTANCE PLEASE
The TPBC Board and CEO are looking for members to volunteer a bit of their time to assist TPBC in these early days of growth and development. FOLLOWING are a few areas where assistance is requested. In all instances we need only an hour or two a month of your time. If you find something of interest please email us at info@techprobc.org.
DataBase Software – a volunteer with computer experience is needed to assist with the member management database.
Mentoring – we are looking to launch our TechMentor service in the next 6 months and wish to find a volunteer or two to assist as we build the program and recruit mentors.
Web Posting – Our Web-Master, Geoff Sale, wishes to find someone to assist in posting information to our web site. Not a lot of your time and usually no tight time pressures.