OACETT 360 partner commitment to employee development promotes successful projects

Originally published in The Ontario Technologist, March/April 2023 Issue

Associated Engineering is passionate about building better communities. With over 20 Canadian offices, this employee-owned consulting company has been dedicated to working with clients in the public and private sectors, delivering diverse engineering, planning, landscape architecture, environmental and infrastructure projects for over 75 years.

Their integrated team, made up of 1,000 employees (including C.Tech.s and C.E.T.s), offers a full range of services and expertise, including planning, engineering, environmental science and management, landscape architecture, asset management, communications, and facilitation.

They bring the benefits of global and local experience to every project, ranging from studies and assessments to the design of major infrastructures. Sustainability is part of every project they undertake and how they operate their business. Associated Engineering has led their industry as a carbon-neutral company since 2009 and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2008.

“Becoming a shareholder and a manager are significant highlights of my career,” says 20-plus year employee Mark Belanger, P.Eng., C.E.T., infrastructure division manager, Niagara office. “Being able to mentor our younger staff and inspire them as they pursue their professional and
personal life goals is very rewarding. We have a great environment and team atmosphere here.”

Award-winning projects

Working collaboratively with clients and stakeholders, Associated Engineering develops solutions that address the complex issues decision-makers face, minimizes the social and environmental impacts, and addresses risks to help shape a better world. Their portfolio of projects includes many that industry associations have recognized for technical excellence, including Toronto’s Avenue Road watermain, Keswick Water Treatment Plant upgrades, Scott Street sewage pump station, and the Oakville Water Purification Plant. They have also worked on many projects with Indigenous communities, including Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, and Curve Lake First Nation.

“I have the opportunity to play a role in building and shaping the community in which I live working for Associated Engineering. Not only by contributing to high profile, local infrastructure projects but also by positively impacting those around me,” says Matt Vinski, C.E.T., manager of
infrastructure Kitchener office.

Associated Engineering has led their industry as a carbon-neutral company since 2009 and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2008

Focus on professional development and accreditation

The company is committed to the career development of its people and creating a strong culture through professional, technical and social initiatives. Associated Engineering offers formal and informal continuous professional development through training, mentoring and on-the-job learning.
In-house learning opportunities are available through their Capacity Building seminars that bring staff together from across Canada to share ideas, knowledge, and experiences.

They offer a member-in-training program that supports professional development for staff in pursuit of their professional credentials and also supports them in attaining membership in associations such as the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

“My OACETT membership helps to enhance my credibility, network, and professional recognition,” mentions Catherine Du, C.E.T., CAD design technologist, Markham office. Mark Mascioli, C.E.T., municipal infrastructure manager, Niagara-on-the-Lake, complemented her sentiments,
saying: “My clients know that I have put in the work to further my career as a professional, and they understand the dedication it takes to achieve the C.E.T. designation.”

By nurturing their employees’ careers, Associated Engineering has further enhanced their team dynamic and built a robust company culture, which has benefitted the clients they serve and made their people confident in their roles and the contribution to their communities.