Friday, March 4, 2011 A15 www.pgfreepress.com

Prince George is home to an award-winning role model for women considering the chal-lenges and rewards of a career in technology.

Gina Purchase, AScT, project manager with Allnorth Con-sultants Limited, is the latest recipient of a “TOP in Technol-ogy” award from the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC).

“At just 34 years of age, Gina has contributed to important public and private building projects, and earned acclaim from her professional peers and colleagues,” John Leech, executive director of ASTTBC, commented in presenting the award. “Gina is a rising star in the universe of applied tech-nology.”

Gina loves her career in a non-traditional calling for women: civil engineering.

“As civil project manager, I am responsible for success-fully managing a project’s life cycle. I’m in touch daily with a variety of professionals – clients, contractors, municipal and regional staff and cowork-ers in Allnorth’s multiple offices.”

On completing high school in Prince George, Gina worked a few years in retail but wanted much more in a career.

“I heard about a Civil Engi-neering Technology college program and was thrilled by the idea of being involved in infrastructure design. I was one of just four women in the 1997 class intake, and the only woman among the graduates”

During 16 months of paid

work-study within her pro-gram, Gina honed her skills in the bridge department of the Ministry of Transportation, and as an engineering assistant developing road approaches for the new Okanagan Lake Bridge in Kelowna. After grad-uation she worked in Victoria for five years, designing and inspecting the remediation of ‘leaky condos’.

Gina returned home to Prince George in 2005, working with L&M Engineering Limited.

“I was involved with projects from the beginning to ribbon-cutting. As assistant project manager I did design work, field inspection and liaison on the River Point Shopping Cen-tre, the UNBC Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, Trea-sure Cove Casino, PG Gaming Centre, and a LEED Gold proj-ect, the Prince George Native Friendship Centre Lodge.”

In 2009, Gina took time off for the birth of her daughter.

“Since joining Allnorth in 2010, I’ve confirmed what a wonderful career choice civil engineering technology is for me. Allnorth is a great com-pany with unlimited career potential, and they have proven they can accommodate a healthy work-family bal-ance.”

Gina suggests that more females should try her profes-sion.

“I truly encourage women to consider careers in technology. It demands serious effort – but the rewards are there. The variety of work is appealing and the sky’s the limit!”

Photo submitted

Gina Purchase, AScT, project manager with Allnorth Consultants Limited, is presented with her TOP in Technology award by ASTTBC executive director John Leech, AScT, CAE.

National ENGINEERING MONTH

Purchase gets TOP in tech award

for more info, visit…

www.asttbc.org

Technology Professionals...Essential to Engineering and Geoscience TeamsASTTBC technologists, technicians and technical specialists are important members of theprofessional teams that design, construct, inspect, test, maintain and manage much of BritishColumbia’s built and natural environment.

Technology Professionals...Essential to Engineering and Geoscience TeamsASTTBC technologists, technicians and technical specialists are important members of theprofessional teams that design, construct, inspect, test, maintain and manage much of BritishColumbia’s built and natural environment.The Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) is a self-governing association of 9,500+ technologists, technicians andtechnical specialists in applied science and engineering technologies. Formed in 1958, ASTTBC was incorporated under the ASTT Act in 1985 to regulatethe standards of training and practice of members, and to protect the interests of the public.

ASTTBC provides…

• Professional Recognition

• Employer Awareness

• Career Development

• Member Benefits

TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALSQUALIFIED. REGISTERED. ACCOUNTABLE.

A16 Friday, March 4, 2011 www.pgfreepress.comPrince George - National Engineering & Geoscience Month - Free Press

■ ASTTBC

Getting the basics on the associationA question-and-answer session with executive director John Leech

WHAT IS ASTTBC?(www.asttbc.org)

Established in 1958, The Applied Science Technolo-gists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) is the prov-ince’s eighth largest pro-fessional association, with a membership of nearly 10,000. ASTTBC regulates and oversees its members’ scope of practice in a host of technical occupations, much as Colleges do in health professions.

ASTTBC’s Mission: To serve the public by regulat-ing and supporting tech-nology professionals’ com-mitment to a safe, healthy and sustainable society and environment. WHAT DO TECHNOLOGISTS,

TECHNICIANS AND TECHNOLOGY SPECIALISTS

DO?Our members serve in

applied science fields like architecture, bio-medical engineering, building, civil, electrical and electronics engineering, environment, fire protection and disas-ter relief, house inspection, computer and informa-

tion technology, mechani-cal and related disciplines within the built and natu-ral environments.

These profes-sionals work for consulting e n g i n e e r i n g and technology companies, in all levels of government , and as private c o n s u l t a n t s . They design, c o n s t r u c t , inspect, test, manage and maintain much of the world around us: buildings, computers and electronics systems, electrical power, all manner of equipment, roads, environment, and water and wastewater sys-tems.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO WE HAVE?

Professional designa-tions under the ASTT Act include Applied Sci-ence Technologist (AScT) and Certified Technician (CTech). Requirements

include academic qualifi-cations as a technologist (diploma) or technician (certificate), plus at least

two years’ pro-gressive techni-cal experience, and passing a p ro f e s s i o n a l practice and ethics exam.

WHAT DOES ASTTBC

DO FOR ITS MEMBERS?

A S T T B C aligns its tech-nologists and t e c h n i c i a n s ’ p ro f e s s i o n a l

roles with inter-provincial and national standards, represents its member-ship’s interests and rela-tionships with government and other professional associations, provides professional development opportunities, and main-tains a dispute resolution function to protect mem-bers and the public.

Recognizing the urgency of preparing coming gen-erations for the careers of

tomorrow, ASTTBC fos-ters technical and scien-tific education. Our FEAT Foundation raises funds and presents scholarships to leading science and technology students.

An extremely important function is to recognize and promote excellence in planning, designing and building sustainably.

HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE?

We present numerous awards to members, non-members and organiza-tions that display excep-tional performance and leadership. These include:

• TechGREEN Award, to recognize an Individual, Corporation or Organiza-tion that demonstrates leadership in green living, sustainable best practices, energy conservation and environmental initiatives.

•Top in Technology, to honour ASTTBC members who model technology professionalism.

• FEAT Bursaries: Our charitable foundation pro-vides $13,000 a year (www.

asttbc.org/about/foun-dation/howtoapply.php) to students in accredited BC technology programs. More than $500,000 in bur-saries and other support for science and technology events has been provided since 1990.

• Honorary Membership to honour non-members who are highly esteemed in their field or have demon-strated exceptionally meri-torious service to ASTTBC, and Life Membership, to honor members who have given exceptionally meri-torious service to the Asso-ciation.

• Advanced Technology Award (members and non-members), to acknowledge advancements in technol-ogy and promote pioneer efforts in technology, and recognize the application and adaptation of technol-ogy to new uses.

• Employer Award For Career Enhancement and Success of Women as Tech-nology Professionals, to honour employers for cre-ating a work environment

that accommodates career success for women tech-nology professionals.

• Peter Allan AScT Lead-ership Award, to honor ASTTBC members who demonstrate exceptional leadership within the Association or community by promoting technology careers.

• Professional Achieve-ment, to recognize ASTTBC members who distinguish themselves in technology or have made a substantial contribution to the well-being of the community.

• Professional Leader-ship Award For Women in Technology to honour women members who distinguish themselves in their field of technology, and demonstrate leader-ship within the Associa-tion or community as a role model and promoting technology careers.

• R. Littledale Memorial, to recognize outstanding members who have made a substantial contribution to the association as recog-nized by their peers.

John Leech- Executive director

Engineering looks like a booming employment area“We’re looking at tremendous

career opportunities throughout northern B.C. Mines, power lines, roadways, ports; all sorts of proj-ects,” enthuses Glen Wonders, Prince George division manager of Allnorth Consultants. “Our main limit is finding qualified technologists and technicians to plan and build these projects.”

Allnorth and other private and public northern B.C. employ-ers are preparing to welcome regional Grade 11 and 12 stu-dents in a “Job Shadowing” experience, a ‘Year of Science’ activity being arranged by BC’s Applied Science Technologists and Technicians.

ASTTBC members and their employers want to expose math-and-science-minded second-

ary students to a huge array of applied science careers.

“Our Job Shadowing experi-ences will let interested students visit workplaces of scientists, technologists and technicians to explore their own career futures,” explains John Leech, executive director of ASTTBC. “What are their coming opportunities, train-ing requirements, the day-to-day work and the pay and benefits of technology and science careers right here where they live?”

Allnorth Consultants alone currently employs about 300 staff in 14 locations, with Prince George the main location and head office.

“Right now we have about 40 technicians and technologists in the field and will definitely

add more through the coming decade,” says Won-ders. “We face retire-ments biting into the workforce, ever more projects, and frankly, difficulty attracting qualified people from the south.”

The Prince George division manager enthuses over a planned Civil Engi-neering Technol-ogy program for 2012 at College of New Caledonia, and hopes for more tech-nology educational programs to come, including paid work terms where possible.

Wonders belongs to the North-ern BC Technol-ogy and Engineer-ing Society, formed to add muscle to regional education and recruiting initia-tives. He also chairs “Initiatives PG”, the economic develop-ment arm of the city, and serves on the local Tech Careers Council.

“Qualified tech-nologists are worth their weight in gold up here,” Wonders concludes. “All the

local consulting and engineer-ing firms in the region prefer to hire qualified local people,

and we offer very competitive wages, benefits, advancement and working conditions. We’re looking forward to introducing capable students to a world of opportunity.”

Northern firms interested in hosting students for day-long “job shadow” experiences between now and June can reg-ister proposed opportunities at www.asttbc.org/careers/yos.

Contact project manager Rob-ert Stitt, AScT, for further info, at 250-701-9031, or e-mail tech-works@asttbc.org.

Qualified students will be directly notified of science and technology job-shadow oppor-tunities by their Grade 11 and 12 teachers at their regional second-ary schools.

■ JOB-SHADOWING PROGRAM

Right now we have about 40 technicians and technologists in the field, and will definitely add more through the coming decade.”

- Glen Wonders

‘‘

R. Radloff & Associates is a company conceived and grown in Northern BC. We provide engineering, community planning and consulting services to Local and First Nations governments across Northern B.C. Our staff is a multidisciplinary team made up of engineers, planners, technologists and project managers that provide a broad range of services and support capability.

We are currently accepting applications for a variety of positions. If you are looking for a rewarding career opportunity contact us today.

R. Radloff & Associates 925 Vancouver St.Prince George, BC

Tel: 250-562-6861Fax 250-562-6826www.radloffeng.com

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R. Radloff & Associates CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2011 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2011 ASTTBC GRADUATESASTTBC GRADUATES

• Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Structures• Municipal Infrastructure Design• Specialty Structures,Temporary Works• Subdivision Planning and Design• Structural Restoration • Heavy Civil Engineering • Highway and Resource Sector Roads & Bridges • Technical Feasibility Studies and Cost Estimates

TEL:(250) 562.7050 FAX (250) 562.7052201-1968 Queensway Prince George BC V2L 1M2

info@scoutenengineering.com www.scoutenengineering.com

Friday, March 4, 2011 A17 www.pgfreepress.com Prince George - National Engineering & Geoscience Month - Free Press

Northern technology leaders honouredA S T T B C

p r e s i d e n t Doug Carter, CTech, capital projects man-ager, UNBC, and executive director John Leech, AScT, CAE, extend warmest con-gratulations to a trio of North-ern BC Leaders in Technology

UNBC Chancellor John MacDonald

We congratulate Dr. John S. MacDonald on his 2010 installation as Chancellor of the University of North-

ern British Columbia.

The founder of MacDonald Dettwiler, John M a c D o n a l d is a leading international figure in space science, tech-nology and r e n e w a b l e energy. Born and raised in Prince Rupert,

Dr. MacDonald has con-tributed greatly to the growth and prosperity of the region, the province and far beyond.

ASTTBC is proud to have welcomed Dr. Mac-

Donald as an Honorary Member of our Association in April 2000.

Bruce Sutherland, presi-dent, Wolftek Industries

Bruce Suther-land has served as chairman of the Northern Deve lopment Initiatives Trust since 2004 and chair of the Board of Gov-ernors of the College of New Caledonia since 2006.

Inducted as an Honorary Member of ASTTBC in 2010,

Sutherland was instrumen-tal in bringing a Medical Lab Technology program to CNC in 2007, and gain-ing a Medical Radiography Program commencing this

year.B r u c e

S u t h e r l a n d has long been active in promoting t e c h n o l o g i -cal education for students and gradu-ates of CNC, and is closely

involved with UNBC research in terahertz

technology devices that

will permit scientists to ‘see’ inside wood.

Jim Blake, MBA, CA – Public RepresentativeJim Blake of

Prince George is one of three Public Rep-resentat ives , p r o v i d i n g public input and oversight within the ASTTBC Board of Governors.

An educa-tional leader for much of his career, Jim is active in retirement as chair of the Prince George

Airport Authority, mem-ber of the Council of Chairs of Canadian Air-port Authorities, treasurer and director of The Explo-

ration Place Science Centre and Museum, and a director of the British Columbia Avi-ation Council.

Blake retired as vice presi-dent, admin-istration, and bursar with the College of New Cale-donia in 2000,

after a 23-year career with the College.

John MacDonald- UNBC

b

iBruce Sutherland- Wolftek

bJim Blake

- Public Representative

Year of Science expo set for cityPrince George will host

a Year of Science themed expo in April, ‘Science and the World Around Us.’

The public is invited to the free expo at the Prince George Civic Cen-tre on April 11 and 12. It will feature expert pre-senters, workshops and displays on topics rang-ing from forestry, cook-ing and wine, fisheries, green technology, bio fuels and mining.

A popular feature of

the expos is the career roundtables for students that give them a chance to hear from some of the

brightest experts in their field on what it took to get where they are today. Recruitment for school

participation and book-ing for classes to attend the expo will begin shortly.

Agreement coming for First Nations students

ASTTBC plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the First Nations Careers Council (FNCC), a provincial body working through the internet to engage communities, at the association’s AGM in May.

Bill Baglot, chair of the First Nations Careers Council, and then-Minister of Aboriginal Relations & Reconciliation, George Abbott, met with ASTTBC Executive Director John Leech in Prince George last fall. At that time the three discussed the work of the FNCC (an ASTTBC initiative), noting great strides in FNCC’s work to engage others in offering bursaries for First Nations students studying in technology programs. FNCC Chair Bill Baglot commended ASTTBC’s strong support with bursaries offered by its charitable foundation, FEAT.

Ini a ves Prince GeorgeDevelopment Corpora on

supportsa full engineering program at UNBCand the con nued advancement of

CNC as a major trades andtechnology ins tu on

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N2

p. 604-430-8035 | f. 604-430-8085 | toll free 1-888-430-8035

www.apeg.bc.cawww.apeg.bc.caAssociation of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia

200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N2p. 604-430-8035 | f. 604-430-8085 | toll free 1-888-430-8035

A18 Friday, March 4, 2011 www.pgfreepress.comPrince George - National Engineering & Geoscience Month - Free Press

■ PELLET SYSTEM

Douglas Carter – turning pellets to powerBioenergy project at UNBC receives plenty of recognition

Prince George Certified Techni-cian Douglas Carter, CTech, sees the Applied Science Technolo-gists and Technicians of BC as the uniting voice of his profession.

Driven by passion for educa-tion and technology, the ASTTBC president’s been a pillar in the University of Northern B.C.’s commitment to sustainability since 1994, first as its chief engi-neer and, more recently, capital projects manager. As an ASTTBC council member over the past decade, Carter has dedicated himself to advancing technology practice in B.C.

The ASTTBC president’s ser-vice to the association has repeat-edly driven home the value and complementary skills and abili-ties technologists and technicians bring to the engineering and design professions. He admits frustration with lingering ‘turf’ restrictions and outdated scope of practice limitations – and wel-comes a current revision of the BC Building Code that should remove outdated barriers to cer-tified ASTTBC members.

“I’m proud of our members’ commitment to promoting careers in technologies and sci-ence – especially to under-repre-sented First Nation students and women. We create linkages with employers who rely on technol-ogy, and we offer professional development opportunities, incentives and awards to entre-preneurs and our members.”

Carter arrived at UNBC in 1994. The original Prince George campus, opened that year by the Queen, was designed to be ‘off the grid’ – but the budget at that time didn’t allow so major an investment. Instead, Doug says, the ‘upstream’ campus infra-structure was designed for even-tual development that last year won international acclaim.

“With the ‘downstream’ instal-lation in just one part of our existing power plant, we con-verted almost our entire cam-pus to renewable energy,” Carter smiles.

“The project has two main components: a wood pellet sys-tem at the Enhanced Forestry Laboratory, and a biomass gasifi-cation system,” Carter explains. “In both cases, the fuel is from the local forest industry, either in wood pellets or residue from sawmill operations. Both sys-tems heat water that integrates with existing systems to heat the buildings and provide hot water, but they function differently. The wood pellet system burns pellets to produce heat, while gasification converts the biomass to a synthetic gas that is then burned.”

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education last year recognized UNBC’s Bioenergy Project for connecting teaching and research to campus opera-tions, while serving as an operat-

ing model for communities and other campuses.

UNBC President George Iwama called both systems “models for Canada, and indeed, North America – for using local, renew-able energy; for energy efficiency and ultra-low emissions. They are also models for integrating campus operations into teaching and research.”

Carter’s strong interest in

things mechanical appeared at an early age.

“As a youth I had technical professionals and tradesper-sons as role models. I learned to problem-solve and troubleshoot issues, and enjoyed working on cars, motorcycles and other mechanical items. I’ve carried these interests into my profes-sion in power and mechanical engineering.”

Reminded of the exceptional effort, time and leadership he’s given ASTTBC, Carter grins.

“I’ve received a lot from ASTTBC. My professional life has brought me friendships all over the province – given us social and recreational contacts - and absolutely convinced me of the value of collaborative profes-sional practice among designers and builders.”

“The gap of demand for engineers and technologists in BC’s North is already above 1,000.”

– Northern Technology and Engineering Society of

BC report, 2009 The College of New Cale-

donia is urgently working toward a Civil Engineering Technology diploma pro-gram for 2012 – but it’s not a sure thing yet.

Catherine Wishart, the vice-president of commu-nity and student services,

says the College is striving for a September 2012 start.

“We will submit the nec-essary paperwork and bud-get this month - we need full start-up and ongoing government funding com-mitted by this summer.”

Wishart emphasizes that CNC has worked closely in program development with the Northern Technol-ogy & Engineering Soci-ety (www.ntes.ca), adding, “We are discussing bridg-ing entry programs with our regional and Aborigi-

nal partners, and links to a planned degree program in civil engineering at UNBC.”

CNC president John Bowman cites the need for the program as “respond-ing to well-researched labour market needs of industry across the north.

“The sustainability of our northern economies depends on having skilled employees committed to living here, contribut-ing their knowledge and expertise over years. That

means training them in the north.”

Bowman stresses the importance of math and science education, in pre-paring future technolo-gists.

“Our industry partners recognize that many north-ern high school students are not well-prepared to enter a technology program.

“Parents and students need to understand the opportunities that engi-neering brings to their lives, and to the future of the

north. Industry and educa-tors are working across the region to improve science and technology graduation rates from high school, and entry into college.”

“Failure to launch” new engineering problems in the north would be terri-bly negative, states NTES president Dr. Albert Koe-hler. “Every mine, pulp and paper company, pellet plant, road construction, house or building requires the input of engineers or technologists and techni-

cians. The shortage of engi-neers and technologists in the North became evident 10 years ago.

“My company and many others could not find suf-ficient qualified techni-cal personnel....We now educate physicians in the north for the north – and the shortage of physicians is slowly disappearing. I recommend we apply the same approach to the tech-nical side, educating tech-nologists and engineers in the north, for the north.”

CNC readying civil engineering program for 2012

Photo submitted

Douglas Carter, CTech, ,shows some of the pellets used in the bioenergy work being done at the University of Northern B.C.

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