Graduates from Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s civil engineering technologies program in Moose Jaw are playing a critical role in supporting the modernization project of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant (BPWTP).
The plant kicked off construction last June on its three-year, $325.6 million infrastructure renewal initiative, which ensures it continues providing potable water to more than 260,000 area residents for another 30 years. An official ground-breaking ceremony was held a month later.
Construction consortium Graham-Aecon Joint Venture, the third-largest construction company in Canada and Western Canada’s largest industrial services company, is managing the project. Not only does it have experience, but it also has employees with connections to Sask. Polytech, according to the educational institution’s website.
Jeremy Klarenbach, who graduated from the civil engineering technologies program in 2002, is Graham Construction’s vice-president of water-related projects. He was one of the first to join the company from the program.
“Prior to that, Graham didn’t have a lot of employees from Sask. Polytech’s (at the time SIAST’s) civil engineering technologies program. Over the past 20 years, that’s changed,” he said.
“We’ve been able to employ a lot of Sask. Polytech students and graduates in more recent years. Civil engineering technology graduates have a great skillset to help us deliver on our projects, and they complement our other staff, including engineers.”
Another alumnus working on site is Leighton Ward, who graduated in 2017 and started as the project co-ordinator before becoming project manager.
“Grads from Sask. Polytech aren’t at a disadvantage to engineering undergraduates. The skills taught at Sask. Polytech are more than enough to kick-start your career, and you see people advancing with an engineering technologist designation,” Ward said.
“It’s nice to see people with my background moving up and taking on high-level leadership roles within the company.”
Perceptions about construction within engineering technology have also changed because when Ward was a student, instructors pushed students to become consultants since there was limited information and exposure to construction, he said. That mentality has changed because there’s more awareness and options for graduates to start their careers there.
Lauren Dreger, a 2018 civil engineering technologies graduate and project co-ordinator, also hit the ground running after graduation.
“Our program was really hands-on, which I liked, and because we did co-operative education work terms, I had experience working for a real company (for a few years before moving to Graham Construction two years ago),” she said.
As project co-ordinator, Dreger implements project designs and schedules and manages sub-trades.
“This project has quite a few Sask. Polytech-trained employees, including other civil engineering technologists, carpenters, electricians and grads from the bachelor of construction management program,” she continued.
“The scope of Graham’s work at Buffalo Pound includes demolition, earthworks, structural fabrication, electrical and instrumentation work, and the construction of concrete foundations and commercial buildings. There’s a lot going on here, and we need well-trained people to make it all happen.”
Graham Construction has strongly supported Sask. Polytech by attending and sponsoring events such as annual career fairs, the Knowledge and Networking Opportunities for the Workplace (KNOW) conference and this year’s THINK: The Future of Work, Technology and Learning conference, the school said.
“The economy here in Saskatchewan has been bullish for over the past decade,” said Klarenbach. “We want to attract the talent we need to keep growing as a company. Partnering with Sask. Polytech on events and initiatives allows us to connect with students who are well-trained and ready to begin their careers.
“It’s a great opportunity for us and also a way to give back to the community.”
The Buffalo Pound project will greatly affect the area since changes to the treatment process will address algae growth concerns, said Ward. This will enable the plant to control taste and odour throughout the year and continue providing potable water for decades.
