PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
A new program is being developed as a means to support and assist people with various abilities to build their careers in the technology professions. Our immediate attention will be people with disabilities. Likewise we will work with employers and NGOs as they strive for inclusivity in the workplace. We expect to liaise with governments and various quasi-governmental organizations as they develop and roll out policy and programs that affect people of all forms of ability Our expectation is that by providing information and services to members and employers / NGOs we will see a positive outcome for all.
Stay tuned for a full announcement in the first half of 2025.
Posted 2025/Feb/06
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!
BUILD IT... they will come!
TPBCA 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/January/11
TEChub will soon be active on the Advocacy page
Join Technology Professionals BC in Changing Lives
A new 'blue chip' group of leaders from business, NGOs, and education is being developed to advise our association on technology education and careers. This body will help advocate on matters of interest to our educational system, employers and our economy in general.
Watch for an announcement in 2025.
Posted 2024/December/05
Dr Steve Cardwell appointed Technology Education Officer
A long time friend of technology professionals and someone who brings a huge passion and expertise for quality education and the needs of those under represented in STEM education and careers, Dr Steve Cardwell is joining our support team. "Steve's impressive background and energy will be a great asset to TPBCA as we build out advocacy and programming relating to STEM education and careers. I look forward to working with Steve as the Association's Chief Technology Education Officer", said TPBCA CEO John Leech.
Dr. Steve Cardwell has had a long career supporting public education at the K-12 and post-secondary levels. From his beginnings as a high school science teacher to CEO and Superintendent of the Delta and Vancouver school districts to Vice President, Students at KPU,he has always been a strong advocate for students and the work of educators - in particular, adult learners themselves. Early on in his career, he was President of the BC Science Teachers’ Association and later, served as President of the BC Superintendents Association, Director on the Science World Board, and President of Learning Forward (a global education organization). He is currently Chair of the Institute for Public Education, serves on the Technology EducationCareers Council, is on the Quantum Algorithms Institute professional development advisory committee and recently joined the board for ArtStarts in Schools.
In 2013, Steve was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal for outstanding service to public education. In 2015, he was recognized as one of UBC Faculty of Education’s top 100 Alumni. In 2022, the KPU Foundation recognized Steve by creating a bursary in his name for his area of passion - marginalized students, especially Indigenous and former youth in care. Steve values ethical leadership and responsibility, building and fostering strong working relationships, and leading with empathy.
Posted 2024/Sep/25
Dave Rutherford Appointed as Professional Advisor
Dave Rutherford B.C.L.S. (Ret. N.P.) is a graduate of BCIT’s Surveying and Mapping Technology Program, Survey Option. During the first part of his career, Dave worked for the Ministry of Forests Engineering Branch, surveying resource roads, bridges, log dumps and other major engineering works. A keen interest in the legal aspect of surveying led to his Commissions both as a British Columbia Land Surveyor (BCLS) in 1994 and later as a Canada Lands Surveyor (CLS).
After several years in the private sector, Dave moved into academia, joining the Geomatics Program at BCIT. Starting as a Part Time Studies Instructor, Dave moved up to become Instructor, Program Head and Associate Dean before retiring in 2022. Notable achievements during this period included contributing to the development of two national academic credentialing programs; Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) and the Association of Canada Land Surveyors Association Foreign Trained Land Surveyor (FTLS) program.
As an active member of the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC from 1978 - 2024, Dave served on many of ASTTBC Committees including ASTTBC Council from 1999 – 2012, becoming ASTTBC President from 2013-2015 and in 2015 received the honor of ASTTBC Life Membership. Dave also served on several Association of Canada Lands Surveyors and Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors (ABCLS) Committees, the ABCLS Board and was elected ABCLS President in 2021.
In his current role as President of the advocacy body Technology Professionals British Columbia Association, Dave continues to work towards supporting the roles and responsibilities of technicians and technologists in British Columbia.
Posted 2024/Sep/22
BCIT President Meets TPBCA CEO : Talk Accreditation
As indicated in a previous posting, BCIT President, Dr. Jeff Zabudsky talked with TPBCA CEO John Leech at a late June awards reception and at that time John spoke about TPBCA and its role, with a focus on accreditation of technology programs and graduation levels. Jeff asked "How can I help?", and with that the two agreed to meet again to dive into the two topics.
In August John met at BCIT with Jeff and Kathy Siedlaczek, Dean, Academic Planning and Quality Assurance. During the meeting John provided information on TPBCA and its role as an advocate for engineering and applied science technology professionals. The three reviewed the status of national accreditation of BCIT programs, with Jeff and Kathy noting that BCIT sees great value in accreditation for their programs, particularly as they train students for the industries that help define accreditation criteria. “I was pleased to hear that BCIT is of the view that, where relevant, program accreditation contributes to the quality of BCIT programs, has recognized benefits for their students and graduates, and is an important mark of external validation”, said John Leech.
John Leech appreciated the opportunity to meet with BCIT leaders, saying “I was pleased with our discussion and look forward to working with Jeff, Kathy and others at BCIT as TPBCA advocates for accreditation of all engineering and applied science technology programming”. TPBCA will follow up with BCIT and other post-secondary institutions as BC post-secondary institutions manage accreditation of programs leading to a Diploma of Technology.
PHOTO CAPTION: TPBCA CEO John Leech presented BCIT President Dr. Jeff Zabudsky with a feather carved by Dene Nation artist Christian Turo.
Posted 2024/Sep/22
TPBCA Leaders Connect with Tim Murphy
TPBCA leaders meet up with Tim Murphy (second from left), an ASTTBC past president, as are Dan Mooney (left) and Dave Rutherford (right). Dave serves as President of Technology Professionals BC Association and Dan is Board Treasurer. TPBCA CEO John Leech joined the group.
Posted 2024/Sep/22
Amelia Cooper Appointed Professional Advisor
We are pleased to report that Amelia Cooper has been appointed as Professional Advisor - Empowering STEM Ability. TPBCA CEO John Leech said, I have worked with Amelia in the past and she has always shown a real passion for supporting and assisting people with disabilities. She is a great addition to the TPBCA Team.
Amelia Cooper lives in Vancouver, BC and works as a Referrals Analyst for Tsawwassen First Nation. Previously, she worked part-time as a Human Resources Coordinator for BC Partners in Workforce Innovation and helped develop the TechAbility program through ASTTBC. In addition. She has worked as a GIS Specialist for Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR). Amelia has a BA in Geography with an Environmental Speciality and a Certificate in Spatial Information Systems from Simon Fraser University. In her spare time she likes to read, work on crafts and listen to music.
Posted 2024-Sep-13
TPBCA - MoA with BC Economic Development association
Agreement with BC Economic Development Association TPBC has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the BCEDA to signal our joint intent to cooperate and collaborate in areas of common interest.
"This Agreement is a big plus for TPBCA as it will most certainly lead to support for TPBCA members whose career involves economic development, notably at various levels of government," said TPBCA CEO John Leech. "I welcome the opportunity to work with BCEDA President and CEO Dale Wheeldon. He is an exemplary leader who is delivering excellent benefits for his members."
For more on this MoA, go here.
Posted 2024/Sep/02
TPBCA First MoA - Association of Professional Biologists
TPBCA First MoA - Association of Professional Biologists
As TPBCA got rolling after registration under the Society Act, we looked to other organizations with whom we might have common interests. APB quickly came to mind and an approach was made to discuss linkages. With the two professional organizations quickly acknowledging our many common interests, the notion of a formal statement of how we might work together emerged, and with this the first Memorandum or Agreement (MoA) was signed.
Posted 2024/Sep/02
TPBCa - MoA with Building Designers
TPBC has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the BC Association of Building Designers (BCABD) as a means of confirming our joint wish to work together in areas of common interest. Building Designers provide a valuable service to communities throughout BC and it is fitting that TPBC connect formally with BCABD in order that we can work cooperatively on behalf of the interests of Building Designers. In signing the Agreement the BCABD President, Tony Giroux, CTech, RBD, said,
"The Agreement sends a signal that both the BC Association of Building Designers and Technology Professionals BC share a number of common interests such as practice rights and promoting education and careers in building design. We will strive to work together whenever such serves both memberships and enhances building design needs and standards."
The MoA, in part, indicates areas in which the two organizations will work together, such as the following:
> collaborate in offering continuing professional development to its members;
> share information on benefits and services of interest to its members and, where practical, collaborate in the development and delivery of services;
> cooperate in promoting education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and more particularly in home and building design; and,
> will liaise on matters affecting professional services by its members, to the benefit of the public.
TPBC continues its goal of building linkages with other organizations who share common interests.
