many of these other areas. Many of them have worked so many years in the same industry that they may not even realize the skills they possess or where that expertise would be transferable. I believe our APEGA Members can make significant contributions in new areas, for the betterment of people and businesses both here and abroad. My hope is that we, as Members, can help other Members leverage their innovation and problem-solving abilities into industries and projects that perhaps aren’t traditional or obvious fits. We have such a pool President’s Notebook
APEGA
rates. This is of deep concern to your Council and APEGA staff. APEGA’s Mission Statement is: “Regulate the practices of engineering and geoscience to serve the public interest in Alberta.” That is the primary responsibility of the Association. However, we all recognize that something more needs to be done on the employment front. Our professions are often silent and go unrecognized by others in society. These others are the people running businesses or involved in industries that our Members do not normally interact with in a professional capacity. Therefore,
of expertise here in Alberta and so many areas of our economy that can benefit from our Members’ talents. Let’s put them together and see what happens. With that in mind, some of us have decided to try to set up a pilot project to see if we can begin to connect our Members to representatives
we may not even know about the challenges they face. They, in turn, may not even think of enlisting our services to find unique solutions to their problems but find ways to work around them. These solutions are not always safe or efficient. Several presentations I’ve attended recently have inspired
WE ARE TAKING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCEPTING LIABILITY. THIS SHOULD NOT BE DONE LIGHTLY, BECAUSE WE MUST NOT VIOLATE THE PUBLIC TRUST WE WORK SO HARD TO EARN AND MAINTAIN.
me and have a strong connection to this topic. I have heard speakers present on the need to expand our networks and to move outside our comfort areas (although, as professionals, we must always ensure our technical expertise fits any professional services we may offer). One of these presentations was from Chantal Lavoie, P.Eng., President of Dominion Diamond Ekati Corporation, about the technical advancements his staff have made in waste handling in the Northwest Territories. He spoke about the fuel savings and carbon reductions for each of the projects. For many businesses, improving their operating efficiencies to reduce carbon gases and future carbon levies is foremost on their minds for the continued success of their operations. When I look around at the businesses that operate in my local area, I see many opportunities for technical improvements our Members could help them make. When you consider the impact that carbon taxes will have on many operations, it isn’t difficult to imagine their need to become more energy efficient, reduce their operating costs, and minimize their carbon footprints. Then I thought about so many of our Members having been laid off and remaining unemployed, even though they have the skills, talent, and knowledge in
from some of these industries that can benefit from the skills and expertise of APEGA Members. Please let me stress — this is a grassroots effort and not an official, APEGA-sanctioned activity. I welcome you to contact me directly for more information on this initiative. This is something that is being done by our Members for our Members for the betterment of the people of Alberta. It is a grassroots effort done on behalf of our member- ship by Members who are connected through APEGA. We know that if you succeed, the Association succeeds, and the businesses you help will also find success through innovative solutions provided by you. After all, we are the problem solvers — it is what we are trained to do! Contact me at the email address below for ques- tions or comments about anything you’ve read here or anything else you want to bring to my attention or have me consider. I look forward to hearing your ideas, your concerns, and your stories — and finding ways we can move forward as an Association and as professionals.
Questions or comments? president@apega.ca
6 | PEG SUMMER 2017
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker