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Land Acknowledgement
Headquartered in Surrey, BC, ASTTBC acknowledges the traditional Lands of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen Peoples.
We thank our hosts for their graciousness in welcoming us to carry out our work on their Land.
In so doing, we recognize their inherent Indigenous rights and title, the implementation without qualification of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and our support for the 94 calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
MISSION
We serve the public by contributing to a safe, sustainable society and environment by regulating technology professionals. We accomplish this through supporting the competent, safe, and ethical practice of applied science technology in British Columbia.
VISION
Regulation of technology professionals that safeguards the public through leadership and excellence.
Disclaimer: ASTTBC makes no endorsement or guarantee as to the quality or suitability of any activity, professional, product, or service advertised with ASTTBC.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services and ASTTBC partner to enhance public safety Chair & CEO message
BC Building Code info bulletin
Kate Haines appointed as Superintendent of Professional Governance
ASTTBC register enhances transparency and recognition
National Engineering & Applied Science Technology (NEAT) Week
ASTTBC’s Victoria event a success!
BCIA appoints new CEO and RegistrarJennifer Lawrence, MAL
New BC Cabinet announced
In the community
Registrant update
Registrant services and job board
ISSUE 167 Oct-Dec 2024
ASTTBCONNECT is published by the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC.
EDITOR: Cara Christopherson 604-585-2788 ext. 501 cchristopherson@asttbc.org
The opinions expressed in ASTTBCONNECT are not necessarily those of ASTTBC or its directors. All rights reserved. This publication may be reproduced provided credit is given as to the source of such material.
The Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) regulates approximately 7,000 applied science and engineering technology professionals in British Columbia under the Professional Governance Act (PGA).
For more information, please visit asttbc.org
Chair & CEO Message
Ken Zeleschuk
ASTTBC Chair
As 2024 comes to a close, we have much to celebrate. This year ASTTBC made significant progress in advancing a reserved practice (scope of practice) for applied science technologists and technicians in British Columbia, laying a strong foundation for the opportunities ahead in 2025.
ASTTBC’s strategic plan for 2023-2024 was straightforward in its goals to 1) Obtain a reserved practice within two years, and 2) Be a progressive regulator that meets the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance’s (OSPG) Regulation Standards. This plan helped guide us through ongoing operational and environmental pressures that directly impact our success such as the ongoing shortage of applied science technology professionals, the need for streamlined registration pathways for both Canadian and international applicants, and the importance of attracting and retaining regulatory talent.
We are pleased to share that we have achieved much of what we set out to. We continue to make great strides towards a reserved practice including now with the commitment and support of government and Engineers and Geoscientsts BC. A key milestone this year was the enactment of the International Credentials Recognition Act on July 1, 2024, which has made it easier for internationally trained professionals to pursue their careers in BC. Prior to this, ASTTBC eliminated the Canadian experience requirement, removing an unnecessary barrier to practice. Over the past two years, ASTTBC has onboarded six staff members to support the increased workload resulting from the implementation of the PGA and efforts for a reserved practice and we have just launched the search for two new technical advisory positions.
Our 2025-2027 strategic plan is almost finalized and will continue to build on our achievements, with a focus on finalizing a reserved practice with the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills through the OSPG, as well as other Professional Governance Act (PGA) regulators. We look forward to sharing this plan with you in early 2025.
We are thankful for your participation and support as we continue this important work to enhance the safety of the public and our environment.
ASTTBC Chair
Ken Zeleschuk, AScT, PTech, RTMgr, MBA, Dipl.T
ASTTBC CEO
Theresa McCurry, BSc, PMP
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services and ASTTBC Partner to Enhance Public Safety
In fall 2023, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) reached out to the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) about an initiative they wanted to incorporate into their fire watch program to enhance public safety. This initiative involved the implementation of a QR code and support from ASTTBC Registered Fire Protection Technicians (RFPTs) to help manage the inventory of buildings that may or may not be on fire watch within the City of Vancouver.
Vancouver Fire routinely finds buildings where important fire safety systems like fire alarms or sprinklers are turned off or not working. To keep things safe, they require a 24-hour fire watch until a qualified person fixes and restores these systems. It was within this process that Vancouver Fire identified a gap: there was no effective method to verify that services had been fully restored.
At any given time, hundreds of buildings could remain on fire watch due to the lack of an efficient and accurate way to verify a cancellation of a fire watch, leaving many fire watches active longer than necessary. To improve operational readiness and public safety, Vancouver Fire and ASTTBC spent two months working together to implement a system similar to the one Richmond Fire-Rescue has been using.
“We became aware of a process used by Richmond Fire-Rescue and decided to implement it within our services as well,” says Vancouver Fire Assistant Chief Dave Meers. “What Richmond was doing was a great use of technology and as it turns out, very effective.”
How it works:
When a fire watch is issued, Vancouver firefighters place a QR code sticker inside the building’s fire panel. After the system has been fixed or restored by a qualified person, the RFPT (or building owner, or the building owner’s representative) must use the QR code to complete an online form; once the form is complete the information from this form will be directly emailed to Vancouver Fire so they can update their files. A Fire Watch Order can be removed by either a uniformed member of Vancouver Fire or an ASTTBC RFPT.
“Vancouver Fire has confidence and comfort in knowing an ASTTBC technician has verified the system’s operability, enabling our staff to work more efficiently,” says Assistant Chief Meers.
Vancouver Fire implemented this process in December 2023, and by October 2024 has removed almost 300 fire watches from their system.
“ASTTBC is a proud partner of Vancouver Fire and we’re confident in our registered fire protection technicians in their ability to perform these important tasks to improve public safety,” says ASTTBC Director of Professional Practice and Development Jason Jung. “We look forward to working with Vancouver Fire on other important projects in the future.”
The success of this initiative has led to other improvements for Vancouver Fire as well as further areas of collaboration with ASTTBC.
To date, Vancouver Fire has revamped and created several important materials, including information on how to perform a fire watch, a log to record fire watches and changed their bylaws to allow any Vancouver Fire member to have the authority to issue a fire watch.
The collaboration between Vancouver Fire and ASTTBC showcases how regulatory bodies and emergency services can work together to protect the public through innovative, accountable, and effective safety practices.
For more information on Vancouver Fire’s fire watch procedure, please click here. To learn more about RFPTs visit the ASTTBC website
BC Building Code info bulletin
ASTTBC has issued a professional practice bulletin to registrants to clarify the professional practice requirements regarding the transition period for adaptable dwelling unit standards in the BC Building Code 2024.
ASTTBC registrants will note that one of the eligibility requirements for project exemption pertains to drawings that have been prepared or overseen by a qualified person, which now includes a registrant of ASTTBC.
Please refer to the following Professional Practice Bulletin for further information and actions required. Questions about this bulletin may be directed to the professional practice team at practiceinfo@asttbc.org.
Click here to view additional practice bulletins issued by ASTTBC or other external sources.
ASTTBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2023/2024
Under the Professional Governance Act, ‘council’ is referred to as ‘board of directors’, ‘president’ is ‘chair’ and ‘vice-president is ‘vice chair.’
Chair
Ken Zeleschuk, AScT, PTech, RTMgr, MBA, Dipl.T
Vice Chair
Brian F. Davies, CTech, RSIS, CGM
Past Chair
David Sparanese, AScT, PTech, CPWI 3
Registrant directors:
Dana Graves, AScT, CSO
Carlo Vijandre, AScT, PMP, FMP, SFP, CSSBB
Prakash Joshi, AScT, PTech, PLEng
Randy Meszaros, AScT, PMP, CET
Kerry Barth, AScT
Lay directors:
Mary O’Callaghan, MBA, FCMC
Oluwatobi (Tobi) Abisoye, LLB, LLM
Terry W. Hawes, LLM, MBA, CPA, CGA, CFE, C.Dir.
Natasha Dookie, BA, CPHR, JD
Kate Haines appointed as Superintendent of Professional Governance
Congratulations to Kate Haines on her appointment as Superintendent of Professional Governance! This appointment also marks the establishment of a unified office overseeing the administration of the Professional Governance Act (PGA), the International Credentials Recognition Act (ICRA), and the Labour Mobility Act.
Kate has been with the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) since 2020, previously serving in both operational and policy roles at the Environmental Assessment Office.
ASTTBC register enhances transparency and recognition
ASTTBC’s register is a valuable resource that lists all registered technologists, technicians, and technical specialists from the past 10 years. It is updated weekly and is a tool that serves multiple purposes: it supports registrants by fostering recognition for meeting educational and professional competency standards, and it supports transparency for the public. By accessing the register, the public can verify the credentials and accountability of professionals and be made aware of any disciplinary actions. Registrants also benefit from using the directory to connect with peers and identify experts within their field.
Explore the register and access this information-sharing tool here: https://asttbc.org/registrants/ registrant-directory/#
National Engineering & Applied Science Technology (NEAT) Week
Technology Professionals Canada (TPC) launched National Engineering and Applied Science Technology (NEAT) Week, which is underway November 25-29, 2024.
NEAT Week highlights a National Capstone Project Competition, celebrating the technical excellence and creativity within engineering and applied science technology. Open to students across various disciplines, nine provincial winners will compete, with three national finalists selected. These finalists will present their projects in a NEAT Week webinar, and the winner will be determined by an audience vote.
For more information, please visit TPC’s NEAT Week webpage.
November 25–29, 2024
Dear Friends:
I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone taking part in the inaugural National Engineering and Applied Science Technology (NEAT) Week.
This event offers a wonderful opportunity to recognize and showcase technical excellence and ingenuity within the engineering and applied science technology fields in Canada. I am certain that everyone in attendance will benefit from the many activities planned for this week.
I would like to thank Technology Professionals Canada for hosting this event Your hard work, dedication and professionalism are deeply appreciated.
Please accept my best wishes for a memorable experience.
Sincerely,
The Rt. Hon. Justin P. J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada
ASTTBC’s Victoria event a success!
On September 25, 2024, almost 100 people gathered together at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria for a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session, delicious food, and networking.
The event began with a welcome from ASTTBC CEO Theresa McCurry, followed by a CPD session hosted by ASTTBC registrar Michael Thain and ASTTBC director of professional practice and development Jason Jung. The session titled When practice goes wrong: learning from others’ mistakes to improve your practice saw Michael and Jason discuss
real-world examples of practice gone wrong as well as insights into standards and ethics across different disciplines.
“ASTTBC was thrilled to host this event in the beautiful city of Victoria, our province’s capital and we look forward to hosting more events across our province in the future,” said ASTTBC CEO Theresa McCurry. “Thank you to all those who attended.”
StrongerBC Future Skills Grant
The StrongerBC Future Skills Grant is open to British Columbians aged 19 years or older regardless of financial need and covers up to $3,500 per person for eligible short-term skills training at public postsecondary institutions.
LEARN MORE
BCIA appoints new CEO and RegistrarJennifer Lawrence, MAL
In October, the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) announced the appointment of Jennifer Lawrence, MAL, as their new Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. Jennifer has a strong background in regulatory, governance and operational excellence, and brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of values-based leadership driving innovation and growth.
Congratulations, Jennifer!
New BC Cabinet Announced
British Columbia’s new cabinet includes 23 ministers and four ministers of state and is supported in its work by 14 parliamentary secretaries. The areas of interest for ASTTBC are highlighted on the right.
Full details of the announcement can be found here.
• Anne Kang is the new minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
• Five new ministries were created: Energy and Climate Solutions, Housing and Municipal Affairs, Infrastructure, Mining and Critical Minerals, Transportation and Transit.
• Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills will now oversee immigration settlement services, which will be transferred from Municipal Affairs.
• Major capital planning for postsecondary schools will move to the new Ministry of Infrastructure.
• There are 14 Parliamentary Secretary positions. The Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials is Sunita Dhir.
In the Community
ASTTBC actively participates in industry events each quarter, engaging both as a presenter and/or as an attendee. Here is a list of events and engagements ASTTBC took part in from September 1 to November 30, 2024.
UNDERWAY/UPCOMING EVENTS
Presentation to Thompson Rivers University architectural engineering first year students.
Attend / present update to Okanagan College sustainable building technology PACC meeting.
Attend / present update to Okanagan College civil technology PACC meeting.
Attend / present update Okanagan College mechanical tech PACC meeting.
Attend/ present update Okanagan College civil connections with industry.
Presentation to Okanagan College mechanical first year students.
Attend / present update to Okanagan College electronics engineering technology PACC meeting.
Attend / present update to Okanagan College water engineering technology PACC meeting.
Presentation to Okanagan College second year students.
Presentation to Okanagan College mechanical engineering technology second year students.
REGISTRANT UPDATE
New AScT:
Alexander Neal
Amanda Craft
Ambrose Chung
Ashley Seed
David O’Coffey
Irving Fernando De Leon Palacios
Jack Slee
Jason Assam
Liam Hudson
Michael Danyluk
Sophia Maclnnes
New CTech:
Kevin Voorberg
Lizlie Joy Arroyo
Petro Sagaidak
Trevor Beatty
New RTS:
Benjamin Wall
Bryton Orr
Evan Johnson
Gerald Wieler
Jie Zhong
Mohamed Ahmed
Nikolas Kapetaneas
Retired:
JOB
BOARD
Liquid Waste Services Manager
City of Campbell River
Campbell River, BC
Closing date: 12-01-2024
Graduate Technologist Trainee –
Transmission Maintenance
BC Hydro
Various locations, BC
Closing date: 12-31-2024
Graduate Technologist Trainee –
Distribution Design
BC Hydro
Various locations, BC
Closing date: 01-04-2025
Geotechnical Engineering
Technologist
Scientific Applied Concepts Limited
Vancouver, BC
Closing date: until filled
Technical Sales Engineer (BC/YK)
Terrafix
Surrey, BC
Closing date: until filled
REGISTRANT SERVICES
Our partners offer exclusive rates on their products and services.
Follow the links below to learn more:
» Willis Towers Watson
» TD Insurance Meloche Monnex
» Manulife
To access insurance and other ASTTBC group benefits including discounts to the PNE/Playland, Mark’s Work Wearhouse and more, please log into your ASTTBC account. Once logged on, click the ‘Resources’ tab for more information.
