ASET Technology Alberta Summer 2020 - 9

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Emerging technologies
and technologists emerging
Barry Cavanaugh

In many ways, this past decade has been one of innovation,
disruption and forward progress, and that is clearly the way
of the future. Emerging technologies are revolutionizing
information and data, healthcare, materials design and
many other spheres/industries. Existing technologies
are evolving rapidly from within. All of those movements
involve the engagement, education and adaptation of
engineering technology disciplines.
The continuing professional development that defines
ASET members is a vital component in the societal
acceptance of new developments in technologies of all
kinds and degrees. Currency of knowledge has perhaps
never been as important to a professional as now. We see
the rise of specialization within disciplines developing
even further, and the recognition of new disciplines to
accommodate the pace of new discoveries and advances.
Organizations like ASET continue to be on the front lines of
this evolution. We work to predict the knowledge and skills
necessary to assure the protection of the public. We also
ensure that we constantly maintain the highest and most
current of standards for certification of technologists in
whom the public can safely put their trust. It's not enough
to react, to follow. As has long been the case, ASET must
lead in developing competencies and assessing them for
a growing range of special roles occupied only by technologists. For most of those new roles and competencies,
only ASET members should be engaged. The public deserves to feel confident in the knowledge that a certified
technologist or a certified technician is highly capable and
accountable for their own competence. Only ASET certification provides that safety for the public we serve. We
understand the intricacies of the disciplines and occupations for which we certify, and we strive to stay ahead of
the curve.

and how to recognize them. ASET has been working to
have defined rights of practice declared within legislature
for 57 years, and preparing and supporting technologists
for this declaration. These efforts have been made in the
public interest, so that the public and employers understand the expertise of technologists and utilize these skills
and knowledge appropriately. It is also important to make
clear to the public that only technologists certified according to statute should be doing that work.
The polytechnic institutes and colleges of this province
maintain rigorous programs to educate technicians and
technologists, quality controlled by the Province of Alberta
and Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC). The province
has long recognized, supported and advanced the quality
of that education. Those institutions and colleges are on the
leading edge of the innovation and emerging technologies
that are of such vital importance today.
It's time to follow through. It's time to support the work
and role of the institutes and colleges, and the work of
ASET. These institutions all work to prepare and regulate
an advanced profession in the public interest. They also
ensure safety and exceptional quality of work done in all
those disciplines which ASET represents.
Emerging technologies are both led and supported
by capable, qualified engineering technologists. The
Government of Alberta can take a bold step forward in
recognizing these technologists' actions. It can do that by
supporting the education programs of the institutes and
colleges, and by recognizing the independent practice
roles of the technologists who make them real.

The public also needs to know that the government of the
province recognizes both the competence and knowledge
of certified technologists and technicians, and their rights
to practice in their fields. Finally, the public deserves to
know how that knowledge and competence are described

TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA | SUMMER 2020 | 9
ASET Technology Alberta Summer 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Summer 2020
