Doug Duncan Leader Award : Nominations Please
TPBC seeks nominations for the Doug Duncan Leader Award
The newly minted Doug Duncan Leader Award will be launched later this year and we are looking for nominations.
PURPOSE OF AWARD: To honour a practicing technology professional who is progressing in their career and service to the profession and community and assist them as they seek to develop additional skills.
Nominations are requested by September 30, 2025. Email your nomination to
Posted 2025/JAug/20
Vancouver Island Construction Ass'n Endorses TPBC
On behalf of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) and our members, we are pleased to express our strong support for Technology Professions BC (TPBC) and its efforts to advocate for engineering and applied science technology education and careers. Many of our members—and a significant portion of the broader construction industry—are Applied Science Technologists (AScTs) or Certified Technicians (CTech), whose credentials and contributions are vital to the success of our sector. TPBC’s focus on credential recognition, professional development, mentorship, and inclusivity aligns with our industry’s need for a skilled, mobile, and diverse workforce. We believe TPBC’s work will strengthen standards, support workforce mobility, and enhance the construction sector’s access to qualified technical talent across British Columbia.
Rory Kulmala, CD, MDA, AScT, PMP
CEO, Vancouver Island Construction Association
Posted 2025/JAug/14
MLA Janet Routledge Speaks with TPBC CEO JOHN LEECH
MLA Janet Routledge Speaks with TPBC CEO John Leech
Chance meetings often lead to a great conversation. Such was the case recently when TPBC CEO John Leech had an opportunity to chat with Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North. "During our brief time together I spoke about the need for a much enhanced level of awareness of engineering and applied science technology education and careers. I also talked about the need to find a way to bring together all organizations promoting STEM education and careers such that we build a strategic approach to promoting these largely wealth creating skills." Janet acknowledged the important work of technology practitioners and indicated interest in learning more about the contribution to BC's economy and society made by engineering and applied science technologists, technicians and technical specialists.
PHOTO: TPBC CEO John Leech presented MLA Janet Routledge with a feather carved by Indigenous artist Alex Mountain.
Posted 2025/JAug/14
Hon Raj Chouhan Meets TPBC CEO John Leech
Hon Raj Chouhan Meets TPBC CEO John Leech
The Speaker of the BC Legislature, the Hon Raj Chouhan, took a moment at a recent community BBQ to talk with TPBC CEO John Leech. "We took a bit of time to catch up and talk about technology education and careers," reported Leech. In his role as TPBC CEO John is reaching out to elected representatives at local, provincial and national levels of government with a purpose of enhancing awareness of the contribution made to the economy and society by engineering and applied science technologists, technicians and technical specialists. John and Raj are planning a more fulsome discussion on TPBC's role as an advocacy body for engineering and applied science technology.
PHOTO CAPTION: MLA Raj Chouhan receives a feather carved by Indigenous artist Alex Mountain.
Posted 2025/JAug/10
TPBC CEO Meets MLA Paul Choi
Paul Choi and John Leech Discussed Tech Ed and Careers
Paul Choi, BC MLA for Burnaby South-Metrotown, took time out of his busy schedule to say hello to TPBC CEO John Leech during a recent BBQ gathering. "Paul is very approachable; we had a short but informative conversation," according to John. "We spoke about the urgent need to elevate the profile of engineering and applied science technologists, technicians and technical specialists." A couple of days later, on August 5, John had a virtual meeting with Paul during which they talked about career enhancement of these 'middle-level' careers. Leech praised the work of governments, trade unions and others to elevate the profile of trades education and careers. "We need something like Skilled Trades BC to build an awareness program focused on technology practitioners." Paul, it should be noted, is somewhat familiar with TPBC as in June 2025 John made a presentation to the BC Legislature Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, of which Paul is the Chair.
PHOTO CAPTION: MLA Paul Choi receives a feather carved by Indigenous artist Alex Mountain.
Posted 2025/JAug/10
VICA and TPBC Discuss TECHNOLOGIST GRADUATION RATES IN BC
Techs are Needed in Construction : TPBC and VICA Discuss
The critical role of engineering and applied science technologists, technicians and technical specialists (technology professionals), was a key topic in a July meeting in Nanaimo between Technology Professions BC (TPBC) CEO John Leech and Rory Kulmala, Chief Executive Officer of Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA). "TPBC is very concerned that BC may not be graduating the numbers of technologists with a Diploma of Technology (DiplT) needed to meet the demands of the construction industry", said Leech. "TPBC is linking with the BC Government to review graduate levels and market demands to make certain we have the needed techs for the engineering and applied science sector, including construction." TPBC is also reaching out to industry organizations like VICA with the request that they jump on board TPBC efforts to enhance awareness of technology education and careers.
According to a 2016 report prepared by the Conference Board of Canada (CBoC) the 400,000 engineering technicians and technologists in Canada contributed $54.7 Billion (yes that is a 'B') to the Canadian economy. This represented 3.3% of Canadian GDP reported CBoC. In a recent BuildBetterBC statement (an initiative of TPBC) the statement indicated that techs currently contribute an estimated $12B (another 'B') to the BC economy.
The construction sector requires qualified people in all areas of construction work including engineering techs who play a critical role in the design, construction and maintenance of BC's infrastructure. Techs offer services in construction management, supervision, work scheduling, approvals, and more. The 'middle level' careers associated with technology professionals is not well understood. Greater awareness is desperately needed.
Rory Kulmala indicated he would consider how VICA might engage in support of TPBC's advocacy work.
Posted 2025/JAug/06
BCIT STAFF INCLUDED IN BIV'S 2025 HONOUREES
Congratulations to Michael Bonshor (Gixkan’dzi), Managing Director, First Nations Business Development Association; Chair, BCIT Board of Governors, Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President, BCIT, and Kory Wilson, Executive Director, BCIT Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, for being named among BC’s top visionaries and changemakers in this year’s BIV News BC500!
Your leadership exemplifies the values that strengthen communities and shape a better future.
Thank you for the work you do to advance inclusion, innovation, and opportunity.
Read the full list of 2025 honourees via Business in Vancouver (BIV): https://lnkd.in/gq8t7xEE
Posted 2025/Jun/21
BCIT Endorses Accreditation of Programs Leading to ASTTBC Registration
Technology Professions BC (TPBC) is pleased that BCIT has issued a statement of support for accreditation. At present BCIT has three of their technology programs accredited by TAC: Biomedical Engineering Technology, Forest and Natural Areas Management and Geomatics Engineering Technology.
TPBC CEO John Leech met with BCIT President Jeff Zabudsky in August 2024 to talk about BCIT technology programming and the importance of national accreditation and the need to graduate a sufficient supply of technologists to meet industry needs.
For more on this, please go to the Acvocacy/Accreditation Support page..
Posted 2025/Jul31
TPBC Develops Vision Statement for People with Disabilities Program
Ameila Cooper, TPBC Board Director, and CEO John Leech have been hard at work developing a Vision, Mission and Goals statement for our STEM Pathways : empowering abilities program. 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 in a solid position to bring about positive change built on this Vision Statement.
Posted 2025/Jul/22
Fire Testing, Inspection & Service Techs to be Professionally Registered and Accountable
Build Better BC, Statement #2 | July 2, 2025
BUILD BETTER BC (BBBC) is an initiative of Technology Professions BC Association (TPBC), an advocacy voice for engineering and applied science technology. TPBC is independent from professional regulatory organizations. OUR PURPOSE with BBBC is to assist in finding solutions to current issues affecting British Columbians, business, industry, local and provincial government and professional practitioners.
Posted 2025/Jul/03
DR. ANDREW HAY JOINS TPBC
Building on an undergraduate degree in Applied Science from Queen’s University and experience in Ontario’s steel industry as an engineer, Hay went on to complete masters and doctoral degrees at the University of Alberta in Mechanical Engineering. He taught mechanical engineering at the University of Alberta, Northern Institute of Technology and Okanagan University College. He held positions as Department Chair and Dean of Engineering Technology prior to taking on Vice President and Provost roles at Okanagan College. Over an 18-year span, Hay worked as a key executive member of the team that transformed Okanagan College into what it is today – one of the foremost leading colleges with a stellar reputation across Canada. Hay has contributed to leadership development, working with College and Institutes Canada to deliver the Institute for Leadership for Deans and Directors, helping the next generation of leaders get off to a good start. His work with the Campus Alberta Quality Council on external review panels focused on institutional readiness assessments to launch degree programs. He is a professional engineer (retired) as well as a lifetime member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and an honourary member of the Applied Scientist Technologists and Technicians of BC.
TPBC is delighted to welcome Dr. Andrew Hay, P.Eng. (ret), LSME, to our association as the
Chief Technology Education Officer
Posted 2025/Jun/21
BuildBetterBC - #1
BuildBetterBC, a new initiative for TPBC, is designed to address matters relating to engineering and applied science technology. This FIRST ISSUE is now being posted to the TPBC web site and released to the public. A copy was sent last week to the Minister and senior staff at the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. Many NGOs will receive a copy.
We encourage you to review the document and pass along to folk at your business, circle of colleagues and friends... Lets use social media to spread the word. Future issues are lined up and will address topics such as building design practice rights, fire protection inspection and testing, home inspections and other important issues. Stay tuned...
Posted 2025/Jun/15
TechTalentBC
TPBC is in the throes of building an initiative to help BC manage its technology human resources. Starting in the last half of 2025 we will pull and post information that addresses LMI - Labour Market Information, tech graduation stats, programs offered by governments and others, and, info on what others are saying about technology skills and how critical they are to our economy and society as a whole. Stay tuned to this site as we build a profile of technology skills and their application in BC.
Posted 2025/Jun/1
TPBC Board Executive meeting
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!
BUILD IT... they will come!
TPBC continues its work to building-out the key elements of this new advocacy and services organization. In 2024 the Board and CEO framed the Build it... they will come! strategic approach to moving forward with the early growth and development of TPBCA. Behind these words is the thought that we will develop and implement major bits and pieces of what the association will offer in our advocacy and services role. All before we initiate a full on member recruitment program. Briefly on membership, we ARE accepting members as 'early adopters' and invite and encourage engineering and applied science technologists, technicians and technical specialists to come on board in the early days of this new organization.
Check out the web site for the soft launch of programs for people with disabilities, mentoring and a blue chip advisory group, TEChub. Soon to be announced will be an Indigenous Relations initiative, a speakers bureau and more. Stay tuned to BYTES for updates... and visit our web site > https://techprobc.org/
Posted 2925/Jan/11
