Photo courtesy of ASET.
A long-time advocate for the engineering technology profession is retiring, leaving a legacy for pioneering change.
Barry Cavanaugh, CEO of the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) has served as the association’s leader and general counsel for 17 years.
“He has been the driving force behind initiatives that reinvigorated the profession, set precedents nationally, and made the profession visible to more Albertans,” an ASET news release said.
The engineering technology profession spans 21 disciplines and over 120 occupations across many industries.
Engineering technology professionals ensure fast-acting telephone networks, smart bus connections, proper water pressure at home, clean drinking water, reliable natural gas service and electrical power, smooth roads, and responsible oil and gas exploration, production, processing, and distribution, the release said.
Before Cavanaugh arrived at ASET, he was the founding CEO of the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA), advocating for Alberta to become the first Canadian province to give pharmacists the legal authority to prescribe some medications and administer drugs by injection.
After joining ASET, he led the transformation to a statutory professional regulatory body. As a result, ASET now regulates the province’s engineering technology sector, advancing professionalism and fortifying safety, the release said.
“As our CEO, Barry has been much more than just a leader - he has been a true friend and an unwavering advocate for this association. His passion and dedication have not only shaped the course of our organization but have also inspired countless others across the country. Barry has been a close friend and mentor to me, offering guidance and wisdom that have profoundly impacted my own journey,” said Emilee Kaupp, CET, Past ASET council president. “Throughout his tenure, he has led with purpose, fostering collaboration, growth, and innovation at every turn. His legacy as a visionary leader will continue to resonate within our association and across the broader community of industry leaders.”
Cavanaugh was pivotal in the establishment of Technology Professionals Canada (TPC), and developed an accreditation model, Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC).
He mandated the launch of the competency-based assessment program, which offers internationally trained and other engineering technology professionals a faster route to earning ASET designations and establishing careers.
“Barry's leadership at ASET has been transformative. By introducing the competency-based assessment program and eliminating the Canadian work experience requirement, he has broken down barriers for internationally trained professionals, fostering a more inclusive and skilled workforce,” said Mila Wagner, CET, ASET member and volunteer. “These initiatives are more than procedural reforms - they represent a shift towards a values-driven approach that prioritizes opportunity, diversity, and innovation.”
Adding, “Under Barry’s leadership, ASET has become a model for professional organizations across Canada, demonstrating how bold ideas and compassionate leadership can reshape industries and empower individuals. His dedication has not only strengthened the profession but also enriched countless lives by creating opportunities for global talent to thrive.”
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Cavanaugh also introduced a new ASET policy that waived all application fees for refugees seeking to become members and attain their designations.
“We realized that there may be engineers, technologists, and technicians coming to Alberta as refugees - from Ukraine, Sudan, and other suffering nations - and saw that we should not put unnecessary burdens on them in seeking to find work for which they were qualified,” said Cavanaugh. “We thought the least we could do was to waive the application fees. That policy is still in effect because there are still refugees.”
Until his departure at the end of the month, Cavanaugh will continue to advocate for the Alberta government to amend the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (EGPA) to include a definition of technologist practice, and a section exempting certified engineering technologists operating within that definition from the exclusive scope of the P.Eng.
**With information provided by ASET
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