VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2 May 2010 FEATURE: TechNova Certification - The Benefits NEWS: 2010 AGM EDUCATION: Industrial Engineering Technologist at NSCC Publications Mail Agreement # 40875508 1 2 Leadership in Technology is the official newsletter of TechNova, the Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Nova Scotia. Leadership in Technology is published biannually by: 202 Brownlow Avenue Cambridge 1, Suite 308 Dartmouth, NS B3B 1T5 Tel: (902) 463-3236 Fax: (902) 465-7567 From the Editor 4 Toll Free: 1 866 723-8867 [email protected] President’s Letter 6 www.technova.ca New Members 7 Please direct all inquiries, submissions and subscription requests to TechNova Registrars Report 10 at the above address. Indutrial Engineering Technologist / NSCC 12 Leadership in Technology is published in conjunction with: 2010 AGM 14 Design Works Publishing Group 41 Glendale Ave Unit 1 TechNova Accreditation - What Is It? 18 Sackville NS B4A 1C6 Tel: (902) 468-3440 Fax: (902) 468-9044 Please contact DWP Group for advertising information. EDITOR Mark Bamford STORY IDEAS WELCOME* EDITORIAL DIRECTION Vivian Ernst Leadership in Technology strives to present news, stories and other content in the course of each year that is of particular interest or pertinence to CREATIVE DIRECTOR TechNova members. We rely in part on your input to guide and generate ar- Mario Zamfir ticles. This is your publication and you are always encouraged to contribute. NEWS: Your technology career is ever-changing. Let others know about The opinions expressed in this publica- the changes and trends in your particular field, discipline or worksite. tion are not necessarily those of the Association. TechNova assumes no re- PROFILES: Want to share your own story? Leadership in Technology is a sponsibility or liability for damages aris- great way to demonstrate the ways that members utilize technology in their ing from any error or omission or from careers. the use of any information or advice printed in this publication. FEEDBACK: Write to us and share your viewpoints (members and non- members alike). Write to [email protected] or send your letter/article to the Letters regarding the newsletter should TechNova office. be addressed to the Editor at the Society’s address. (*See page11 for more details and prize information) Publications Mail Agreement # 40875508 3 From the Editor Hello and welcome to the spring edition of the TechNova newsletter. My name is Mark Bamford and I am the new editor of our magazine, Leadership in Technology. Ed Lingley, our pervious editor has left us for the greener pastures of retirement. Ed’s sense of humour and his historical knowledge of TechNova/SCETTNS will be sorely missed, though I imagine he will never be more than an e-mail away if we ever need advice. I became a member of TechNova in 1993 and like many, I found life to be very full with no time in a day between work and family to even consider adding other things to the mix such as volunteering my time to TechNova, so I do understand how hard it is to give up any free time you have. Having said that, we are an association of over 1500 members and growing every year, yet it seems that the same faces and names keep coming up whenever it is time to do association business. With today’s age of digital communication bringing us all closer together, your help is even easier to give than before and make no mistake, we can use your help. Your help in even the small- est of ways will make a big difference to our association and the other members. If you are interested in support- ing your organization please call or email the TechNova office. For those of you who are now volunteering and those who will volunteer in the future, well done and thank you very much. With the ongoing economic scares of raising interest rates, job cuts and company closures, it is the person with the best resume and qualifications who will find the job search the easiest. One of the ways of ensuring that your resume is given a second look is to make sure you do not let your professional designation lapse. Too often we have had members coming to us trying to have their professional status reinstated to an active member in good standing only to discover the qualifications they hold are no longer current enough to re-qualify without extra study courses. It may not seem like a big thing when we have a job and the future looks good but this is the exact time we should be preparing ourselves for whatever the future may bring. We recently wrapped up our AGM which was held at the Ramada Park in Burnside and I am glad to say it was a big success with a good turnout. There were some newer members in attendance and a big welcome and thanks for participating in your organization goes out to them. For those of you, who could not make it; check out the web site in the coming days for some AGM pictures. Speaking of our website, it has undergone a bit of a renovation and if you haven’t been there in a while I encour- age you to check it out at www.technova.ca. If you have any comments or suggestions, please pass it on to the TechNova office. Only through your feedback can we make what is ours better and something to be proud of. Leadership in Technology is your magazine and as such I encourage you as technology professionals to use this magazine as a way of expressing yourselves. It can be anything from a letter to the editor to an article of interest to you and our members. Any and all letters or pictures would be welcome. It is through your contributions that our magazine is successful. I would like to take this time to wish you all a safe, happy and relaxing summer and I look forward to hearing from you. Mark Bamford Editor 4 & Q. Why seek certification? A. Proof of achievement: Demonstrates to employers, co-workers and to yourself that you’ve met EXECUTIVE the National Technology Bench Marks of training, ethics and experience Personal satisfaction: After year’s of training and hard work, you’ve earned COMMITTEE the right to hold yourself out as a “certified” technican or technologist Editor Belonging: Membership opens the doors to networking opportunites to Mark Bamford exchange ideas, gain information and enrich personal and professional development. EXECUTiVE COMMiTTEE Base for Upgrading: Provides a base of academic and skills training from PRESIDENT which members and their employers can determine future studies to im- Louis LeBel, CET prove qualifications and status. Group Discounts: Members enjoy some of the most comprehensive and VICE PRESIDENT compelling group benefits of any technology association in the country! in Hugh Campbell, C.Tech addition to great group rates on home, auto and health insurance, mem- bers also can qualify for discounts on first aid kits and training from St. PAST PRESIDENT John Ambulance. And more are on the way! We want to make member- Steve Shaw, CET ship work for you at work and at home. FiNANCE CHAir Q. Why employ a certified technology professional? Don Landry, CET A.Employing certified technicians or technologists boosts a busi- nesses credibility and provides a distinct competitive edge when TECHNOVA COUNCiLLOrS bidding on contracts. E. Maria O’Brien, CET With a certified employee, you have someone who is guaranteed to be Eric Jury, CET trained to a national standard, experienced, and ethical. Dimitri Sourtzis, CET Mark Bamford, CET in addition, hiring certified technicians and technologists saves screening Sean Piercey, CET time. A CET, AScT, or C.Tech has earned these designations only after the Certification Board has conducted a thorough review of the member’s CTAB Director education qualifications, work experience and professional references. Joy Brown, CET Q. What are the requirements for certification? ESO/rEGiSTrAr A. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, although at Joe Simms, CET a minimum you must meet the following requirements: • be 18 years old and of good character OFFiCE MANGEr • be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant Vivian Ernst • have completed a two or three year technician or technology level col- lege program in engineering or applied science or their equivalent, or • for members of the military, completion of an accepted technician trade up to the QL5 level • two years of satisfactory work experience • successful completion of the Ethics Exam • receipt of the non-refundable application fee (for first-time applicants only) and, upon acceptance, receipt of your first year’s membership dues. (Dues are pro-rated and are tax deductible.) 5 PRESIDENT’S LETTER Dear Members, I would like start by thanking all the volunteers that have worked over the past year to ensure that we continue to move forward. Our ability to do so much with so few active members is amazing. i invite you to join me in saying a special thank you to Mr. Steven Shaw, CCTT National Director for five years. in October, i replaced Steve as the National director, and found a Board that has deep respect for Steve. I only hope that I will be able to accomplish as much serving in this position. Another person that is deserving of our thanks is Mr. Ed Lingley; without his guidance, the past two years would have been very difficult. Ed has announced that as of the end of March, he will be leaving the ESO position and entering fulltime retirement. Without an influx of volunteers, we will have a difficult time in the coming years.