TECH TAKES

In this episode of Tech Takes, host, Louis Savard, C.Tech., takes a deep dive into the world of brownfield regulations and remediation in Ontario. Our guests, OACETT Past President Kim Pickett, C.E.T., and Eric Cowan, C.E.T., project manager at Vertex Environmental Inc., share their extensive knowledge on the subject and discuss the challenges and processes involved in transforming contaminated and underused industrial and commercial properties into safe and usable land. Join us as we discover how sustainable remediation technologies are revolutionizing the cleanup process and reducing environmental impact. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org

In this episode of Tech Takes, host Louis Savard discusses the difficulties that internationally trained professionals face when they immigrate to Canada and the resources available to support them. It features a round-table conversation with Charline Tyrell, a career and training counsellor for the Accelerating Career Advancement (ACA) program at Achēv, Daniel Liao, the Dean of Applied Science, Technology and Trades at St. Lawrence College, and Pieter Bruwer, C.E.T., an internationally educated professional working in the engineering field. Join us as we explore the barriers faced by internationally trained professionals, including financial, language and credential recognition, as well as the challenges of adapting to Canadian culture. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org

Join host Louis Savard as he dives into the world of 3D printing, a technology that is disrupting industries and unlocking new dimensions of innovation. Louis speaks with Hargurdeep Singh, Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing at CAD MicroSolutions, who provides insights into various 3D printing processes, their significance for businesses today, and their integration within modern manufacturing practices. Louis and Hargurdeep also discuss 3D printing's real-world impact, from crafting essential equipment during the pandemic to desktop solutions that are democratizing the world of manufacturing. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org

Join host Louis Savard and Steve Vaillancourt, Senior Cyber Security Instructor at Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, as they discuss the importance of cybersecurity in today's landscape and explore how ethical hackers play a crucial role in stopping cyber criminals. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org

In this episode of Tech Takes, host Louis Savard explores Canada's effort to provide low-carbon baseload power to remote areas and heavy industry through the development and design of small modular reactors (SMRs) and micromodular reactors (MMRs). The episode discusses the benefits and limitations of nuclear power, as well as the design of reactors and restrictions on the use of technology. Joining Louis are Lawrence Robitaille, a Technical Advisor in New Technologies at Langcore Construction Corporation, and Jos Denning, President and CEO at Global First Power. Lawrence and Jos share their extensive experience in the nuclear industry and provide insights into the pioneering approach of SMRs and MMRs. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org

The built environment accounts for 39 percent of annual global CO2 emissions, according to the World Green Building Council and Passive House is widely recognized as the most powerful tool we have today to produce buildings that help to mitigate these emissions. Ontarians like most people worldwide want a level of comfort and safety in their homes and passive houses offers that. Greg Leskien, a certified Passive House consultant and C.E.T., an expert in the design, construction review, and verification of buildings, passive houses, and solar photovoltaic systems chats with host Louis Savard, C.Tech., about Passive House technology which could be the next generation of homes with you in mind, offering supreme insulation, quietness, energy-efficient and lots of fresh, clean air. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org

The future of work is changing. Students must leverage the right skill sets and credentials for present and future job markets. Collaborations between colleges, companies and professional associations, like OACETT, are becoming more important in achieving this. In Ontario, the transition from a private-public partnerships model, or 3Ps, to a colleges, corporations and certifications, or 3Cs model, will improve the overall outcome of the student experience, build a vibrant talent pipeline, support industry and highlight the relevance of certification in this trifecta to drive success. OACETT CEO Cheryl Farrow, Seneca College’s dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Technology, Ranjan Bhattacharya and Georgian College’s dean of Engineering and Environmental Technologies and Skilled Trades, Rebecca Sabourin, discuss how the transition from 3Ps (private-public partnerships) to 3Cs (colleges, corporations and certifications) expands innovation in schools, supports industry development and builds careers through certification. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org

As we navigate through our rapidly changing world, where ethical considerations in innovation have become more critical to mitigating risk and challenging our values, organizations will benefit today from adopting stewardship and ethics to ensure technology is used to make the world a better place. Host Louis Savard, C.Tech., discusses with Mark Abbott, director of Engineering Change Lab and Wayne Collins, a faculty member of the computer science and information technology department at Mohawk College, about the implications of ethics and technology and look at the world of technology and its impact on ethics in technology. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org