Podcast
TECH TAKES
Hosted by OACETT · EN
Tech Takes podcast knows what matters to you. Thought-provoking interviews with industry leaders, government officials, academia and influencers on hot topics relevant to the engineering and applied science profession and the technologies that shape the world around us.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Protecting Your Career: The Essentials of Professional Liability Insurance
Feb 600:29:34Tap to summarizeIn 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 ProLink Insurance, the conversation uncovers the hidden risks many professionals face, from casual design suggestions to informal advice shared over email. Together, they discuss how liability can arise even without formal contracts or payment, and why understanding your coverage—whether you’re an employee or an independent contractor—is key to protecting your career.Discover how professional liability and general liability insurance work, why defense costs alone can be significant, and when it’s the right time to ensure you’re properly covered—because managing risk isn’t just smart, it’s a fundamental part of responsible professional practice.Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →The Quiet Achiever: Leading Without the Spotlight
Jan 3001:01:53Tap to summarizeIn 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 Psychology and Consulting, the conversation uncovers how introverted, reflective leaders bring unique strengths to teams and organizations. Together, they discuss emotional intelligence, resilience, and the power of thoughtful decision-making, reframing quiet leadership as a strategic, highly effective style.Discover how quiet achievers can overcome self-doubt, leverage their observational skills, and lead with confidence. Proving that influence doesn’t require volume, only intention.Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →Infrastructure Challenges and Opportunities in Ontario
Sep 1100:54:45Tap to summarizeIn 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 techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →Cybersecurity in Engineering: Building a Secure Future from the Ground Up
Aug 100:47:43Tap to summarizeIn 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 techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →Inside the Minds of the Next Generation: Flexibility, Purpose, and Mental Well-being
Jul 501:07:23Tap to summarizeIn 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 techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →Innovating the Future: Inside Niagara College's Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (WAMIC)
Feb 11, 202500:38:19Tap to summarizeIn 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 techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →The Future of Waste Management: Anaerobic Digestion and Renewable Energy
Feb 11, 202501:02:42Tap to summarizeIn 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 techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →Enhancing Ontario's Infrastructure: OACETT's New Municipal Designations
Dec 10, 202400:44:22Tap to summarizeIn 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.Tech., rcsi, mii, a civil engineering technician from the Region of Peel, and Carol Warner, C.Tech., OACETT's deputy registrar, the discussion covers the importance of these designations for ensuring safe and reliable municipal infrastructure, including major projects like the Region of Peel's Wastewater Expansion. Learn about the requirements for these designations, their benefits to professionals, and how they boost public confidence in municipal projects.Learn more about OACETT's Municipal Infrastructure Designations Program HERE. Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →Electrifying Ontario: TTC's Journey to a Zero-Emission Bus Fleet
Oct 21, 202400:57:40Tap to summarizeIn 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 sustainable transportation solutions in Ontario.Whether you’re a seasoned professional in the engineering and applied science field or just curious about the future of transportation, this episode is packed with valuable insights and engaging discussions.Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org.
Transcribe →Integrating Nature: The Role of Green Infrastructure in Urban Planning
Sep 11, 202400:38:50Tap to summarizeIn 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 practices to manage storm water, conserve energy, and enhance resilience to climate change.Join us as we learn how green infrastructure serves as a valuable tool in building sustainable and resilient communities.Have a topic you’d like to discuss or comments about the episode? Reach us at techtakes@oacett.org.
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