Alberta STEM association CEO pioneered initiatives that transformed the profession at a national level

13, Dec, 2024

EDMONTON, Dec. 13, 2024 – At the end of this month, a long-time advocate for the engineering technology profession is retiring and leaving an exceptional legacy for the provincial STEM organization he reshaped to pioneer change at a provincial and national level: the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET).

ASET CEO Barry Cavanaugh has served as the association’s leader and general counsel for 17 years and, in that time, has been the driving force behind initiatives that have not only reinvigorated the profession and set precedents nationally, but also made its invaluable but often overlooked function more visible to Albertans.

The engineering technology profession spans 21 disciplines and more than 120 occupations across a multitude of industries. Nothing important works in Alberta without the dedication and expertise of engineering technology professionals who, for example, ensure fast-acting telephone networks, smart bus connections, proper water pressure at home, perfectly clean water to drink, reliable natural gas service and electrical power, smooth roads on which to drive, and responsible oil and gas exploration/production/processing/and distribution.

Prior to his arrival at ASET, Cavanaugh paved the way, through his advocacy, for Alberta to become the first Canadian province to give pharmacists the legal authority to prescribe some medications and administer drugs by injection. He accomplished this while serving as founding CEO of the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA).

After joining ASET, he led its transformation from a society (since its establishment in 1963) to a statutory professional regulatory body, which was proclaimed in law in 2009. As a result, ASET now regulates the province’s engineering technology sector, advancing professionalism and fortifying safety.

A year later in 2010, he was pivotal in the establishment of Technology Professionals Canada (TPC): an alliance of technology professional associations across Canada. In 2014, he was also essential to the development of Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC), a world-class accreditation model for technology professionals across the country that has since accredited numerous technical college/polytechnic engineering technology programs.

Within the same timeframe, his leadership made Alberta the first province to eliminate the Canadian work experience requirement for engineering technology professionals. Since then, other provinces have followed suit.

Fast on the heels of that in 2016, 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. The first of its kind in Canada and pioneered by Cavanaugh and ASET, it enables them to gain purchase in their career fields without having to return to school full-time. The standards thus set have been established as the national competencies’ standards of all the engineering technology regulators in Canada.

In 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, Cavanaugh introduced a new ASET policy that waives all application fees for refugees seeking to become members and attain their designations (e.g. certified engineering technologist). These fees, which include the application fee, prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) fee, ASET professional practice exam fee, and certification exam fee, can cost up to almost $1,000 per member over time. Cavanaugh and ASET staff recognized that many applicants who are refugees from countries in crisis are also suffering significant economic hardship.

“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, Cavanaugh continues to advocate for the Alberta government to amend the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (EGPA) to include a definition of technologist practice coupled with a section exempting certified engineering technologists (CETs) operating within that definition from the exclusive scope of the P.Eng. 

“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. On a personal note, Barry has been a close friend and mentor to me, offering guidance and wisdom that have profoundly impacted my own journey. 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. We are deeply grateful for the time, commitment, and heart he has poured into this organization. While we will undoubtedly miss his guidance, we take great pride in carrying forward the organization he has so thoughtfully and passionately built.”
-Emilee Kaupp, CET
Past president, ASET council  

“Barry Cavanaugh’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. These initiatives are more than procedural reforms - they represent a shift towards a values-driven approach that prioritizes opportunity, diversity, and innovation. 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. We are deeply grateful for his contributions, which have set a lasting standard of equity, innovation, and excellence. On behalf of everyone who has benefited from these groundbreaking initiatives, we extend our deepest gratitude to Barry Cavanaugh for his unwavering dedication to excellence and equity.”
-Mila Wagner, CET
ASET member and volunteer, winner of 2023 ASET CEO Award  

“On behalf of Technology Professionals Canada’s (TPC) leadership council, I would like to acknowledge the significant contributions Barry has made to technician and technologist professionals across Canada. Since TPC’s inception, Barry has played a key role in the creation and development of the core principles and policies that govern the organization, which remain in place today. Barry’s professionalism and informed guidance have aided TPC over the years, which cannot be understated. TPC would not be in the position it is in today without his contributions. Congratulations on an exceptional career Barry. Both ASET and TPC are better because of your efforts.”
-Trent Reid, CTech
Leadership council chair, Technology Professionals Canada  

“Recognition of ASET’s technology professionals in industries has been pivotal with Barry as the CEO. He has led our association with utmost professionalism, and I am appreciative of the years he has devoted. Barry’s coaching, insight and dedication have been exemplary in serving our association. I am grateful for him encouraging me to serve on council and I admire his guidance, wisdom and kindness. I wish him a fulfilling retirement.”
-Senia McPherson, CET
ASET councillor and member  

“I was the president of ASET when Mr. Cavanaugh came aboard. The Association was about to embark on a new chapter and we needed a CEO who would be able to navigate ASET through the political landscape that was ahead of us. Barry provided the guidance, wisdom and assurance that council needed during those years. As ASET began to grow, Barry made changes that would help solidify ASET's role in the engineering technology world - on both the provincial and national stages. ASET has been very fortunate to have Barry as our CEO for these many years. On a personal note, I have known Barry for many years. His ability to bring the best out of people is nothing short of amazing. He has been a mentor and a colleague to me, but more importantly, he is a friend. I wish nothing but the very best for him as he moves on to another chapter in his life.”
-Derek Tsang, CET
ASET president (2006-2007), Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) chair

About ASET
ASET is the professional self-regulatory organization for engineering technologists and technicians in Alberta. ASET currently represents over 17,000 members, including full-time technology students, recent graduates and fully certified members in 21 disciplines and more than 120 occupations across a multitude of industries.

Media Contact:
Michele Penz, Calico Communications for ASET
1.778.888.2249
calicocomm@telus.net