Government Relations/Advocacy

ACEC-SK’s Board and sector-based committees liaise directly with various government Ministers, Crowns and Agency leaders to speak out on issues of concern, and to influence public policy on behalf of association members.  Public policy changes impact all ACEC-SK members, regardless of the sector in which they work.  The annual Cabinet Delegation Reception also provides opportunities for members to meet one-on-one with Members of the Legislative Assembly, Deputy Ministers, and Assistant Deputy Ministers.

Improving Business Practice

ACEC-SK assists member firms in the industry on a variety of business practice issues, including:

• The promotion of InfraGuide’s best practice on Qualifications Based Selection (QBS)
• The uses and benefits of standardized consultant agreements (PSA and Schedule of Fees)
• Other sector-specific business process improvement issues as identified by various sector committees or brought to the Board for action

__________________________________________________________________

Economic Development

Saskatchewan’s economy is growing and changing.  There are more economic drivers contributing to this province’s growth than ever before.  This is influencing how our members do business, and it is also influencing ACEC-SK’s priorities.  ACEC-SK will continue to be relevant in today’s economic landscape through fostering relationships with appropriate stakeholders.  ACEC-SK continues to forge new inroads on its members’ behalf.  Collaboration in the form of working with like-minded organizations for the betterment of our industry, is another strategy to benefit our members.

__________________________________________________________________

Networking

Meet and foster crucial business contacts.  ACEC-SK organizes a number of events each year, allowing members to network and build working relationships with clients, including urban municipalities in Saskatchewan.

• Annual Awards Banquet
• Annual General Meeting and Golf Tournament
• client group mixers
• student industry nights
• Annual Premier and Cabinet Reception

__________________________________________________________________

Business Development

Stakeholder/client meetings organized through ACEC-SK provides excellent opportunities and enhance business development with key clients, and other member firms, in addition to informing member firms about upcoming projects and capital plans. The association also supports committee interaction with policy makers to affect changes to procurement practices and contract language.

__________________________________________________________________

Image/Profile

Activities organized through ACEC-SK are designed to raise the profile of member firms and the industry as a whole. Politicians, key clients and industry leaders are invited to the Awards Banquet.  The travelling Road Show creates exposure as it is displayed to the public across the province. The online directory provides information pertaining to each member firm which allows for professional and business development opportunities.  More and more traffic is driven to the ACEC-SK web site as members, clients and the general public seek information about the association, its members, the industry as a whole, and specific association offerings.  The website is the world’s access to your membership listing, making it convenient and easy for potential customers to find you quickly.

__________________________________________________________________

Member Communications

Find out about current ACEC-SK initiatives undertaken on the members’ behalf.  The newsletter also highlights industry issues of the day, keeping members abreast of the types of things that may have a direct impact on their business.  The newsletter also allows our members to be heard, which in turn allows ACEC-SK to develop programs to address member concerns where appropriate.

__________________________________________________________________

Human Resources

The consulting engineering and geoscience industry is faced with human resource issues in the same way as other industries/professions.  ACEC-SK undertakes many approaches to increase available talent for our members, including attending career fairs at specific post-secondary and technical institutions, offering student information nights, participating in government initiatives to direct foreign-trained professionals to our province, as well as raising awareness in other jurisdictions in Canada of opportunities in Saskatchewan.  ACEC-SK also harnesses the power of our website in two ways: through offering job posting board to assist members promote career opportunities within their firm, and to offer a location for qualified job seekers to post their resumes.  It also develops and implements such programs as fostering mentorships, and exploring the role of Human Resource Professionals in this industry. Additional tools to promote career opportunities are developed from time to time as dictated by member needs.

__________________________________________________________________

Professional Development

ACEC-SK organizes continuing education seminars and workshops designed to keep members abreast of the latest technology, business, legal and regulatory issues.

• PSMJ sessions (e.g. Project Management and Principals Bootcamp)
•  Lunch & Learns for our Young Professional Group (Regina & Saskatoon)
• Locally-developed sector-specific training opportunities such as our Human Resources Conference

Sector and Member Committees

Serve on a committee!  There is nothing like joining with others passionate about a particular issue and working together to advance this issue.  When you get involved you gain a full appreciation of the full scope of benefits members enjoy.  It’s also a great way to influence what benefits might evolve.