TECH TAKES

In this episode of Tech Takes , guest host David Terlizzi, Director of Member Engagement at OACETT , explores the often-overlooked but critically important topic of professional liability insurance for technicians and technologists—an essential safeguard in today’s complex professional landscape. Joined by Michael Loeters , Senior Vice President of Commercial Insurance and Risk Management at ProLi...

In this special episode of Tech Takes , guest host David Terlizzi, Director of Member Engagement, Services, and Government Relations at OACETT , explores the often-overlooked but deeply impactful concept of quiet achievers. Challenging the idea that great leaders must always be loud, bold, or extroverted. Joined by Linda Raynier, author of The Quiet Achiever , and Dr. Tatijana Busic, from Busic Ps...

In this special edition of Tech Takes , recorded live at OACETT’s 2025 Conference in Windsor, Ontario, host Louis Savard, C.Tech , moderates a discussion on Ontario’s infrastructure challenges and opportunities—and the critical role technicians and technologists play in shaping the province’s future. Panelists Nadia Todorova (RCCAO), Doug Jones, CET (Ministry of Transportation), Stacey McGuire (Ci...

In this episode of Tech Takes , host Louis Savard, C.Tech , explores the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity —a discipline that has rapidly transformed from an IT concern into a core strategic priority for engineers and professionals across every industry. Joined by Tim McCreight , CEO and Founder of TaleCraft Security , their conversation uncovers the growing sophistication of cyber threats...

In this episode of Tech Takes , guest host Mladen Ivankovic explores how the next generation is reshaping ideas around work, education, and success. Psychologist Dr. Andrew Wong and David Terlizzi , Director of Member Engagement at OACETT , join the conversation to discuss why flexibility, purpose, and mental well-being are taking priority over traditional career paths. From the influence of socia...

In this episode of Tech Takes , guest host David Terlizzi is joined by Neil Wilkinson , Associate Director of Niagara College’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (WAMIC), to explore the dynamic intersection of education, industry, and innovation. Discover how WAMIC and the Research Innovation Division are turning ideas into real-world solutions across manufacturing , green energy, he...

In this episode of Tech Takes , host Louis Savard, C.Tech , dives into the world of anaerobic digestion (AD) technology —a game-changing process that turns organic waste into renewable energy and organic fertilizer. Joined by Dave Ellis, Principal Engineer and Director of Azura Associates , and Trisha Aldovino, Chemical Engineer and Process Analyst , their lively discussion explores how AD, a proc...

In this episode of the Tech Takes , host Louis Savard, C.Tech. explores the new Municipal Infrastructure Designations Program from OACETT. This program aims to improve the quality and value of non-transportation infrastructure in Ontario, focusing on the Municipal Infrastructure Inspector (mii) and Municipal Infrastructure Contract Administrator (mica) designations. Joined by Claude Gauthier, C.Te...

In this episode of the Tech Takes , guest host Julia Farner dives into the exciting world of fleet electrification with experts Pablo Fernandez from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Mike Skrzynski from Power On.   As mass transit shifts towards electric vehicles (EVs) to meet global climate goals, we explore the technological advancements, government policies, and the urgent need for susta...

In this episode of Tech Takes , host Louis Savard investigates the importance of integrating green infrastructure technology in urban planning. Louis is joined by Gail Willis, C.E.T.,  of Willis Technical Services . Gail is a Certified Engineering Technologist with extensive experience in civil and municipal engineering. Together they explore how communities in Ontario are embracing sustainable pr...

In this episode of Tech Takes , host Louis Savard delves into the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing work processes and industries. With our guests, Doug Nix, Co-owner of Compliance Insight Consulting Inc. , and Mayy Habayeb, Artificial Intelligence Program Coordinator at Centennial College , they explore the impact of AI on engineering tasks such as design optimization and testing...

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...

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...

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 manufacturin...

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. J...

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 ce...

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,...

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 Wayn...