TECH TAKES

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 (City of Windsor), and Matt Ashe, CET (GEI Consultants) explore topics ranging from tariff pressures and climate change resilience to skills development and Ontario’s record $200 billion infrastructure investment.Their conversation highlights how major projects like the Gordie Howe International Bridge and Windsor’s Coastal Flood Protection Master Plan are paving the way for stronger, more sustainable communities, and why innovation, investment, and collaboration are essential to building a resilient province.Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at [email protected].

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 and the vital need to embed security into the engineering process from the very beginning. Together, they discuss how securing intellectual property, anticipating emerging threats, and designing with security in mind can protect both innovation and infrastructure.Discover how cybersecurity is no longer optional—but a fundamental pillar of responsible engineering, ensuring systems are resilient, trustworthy, and future-ready.Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at [email protected].

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 social media to the rise of hybrid work and passion-driven careers, learn how young professionals are redefining success—and what organizations can do to better support their evolving values.Don’t miss this engaging discussion on the future of work and the mindset shaping it.Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at [email protected].

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 process rooted in nature and refined by engineering, is revolutionizing waste management and contributing to green energy solutions.Learn about the evolution of AD, from its industrial beginnings 150 years ago to its modern applications across municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors. Discover its benefits and potential to reshape our environmental and economic future.Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at [email protected].

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, healthcare technology, and IT. From prototyping and testing new technologies to developing practical products and processes, these institutions are empowering small and medium-sized businesses while shaping the future of engineering and applied sciences. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at [email protected].