A Technology Access Centre (TAC) is a centre affiliated with a Canadian college or cégep applied research office that provides access to specialized technology, equipment, and expertise to local industry – particularly small-and medium-sized enterprises – with the goal of enhancing their productivity and innovation. Made possible through NSERC’s College and Community Innovation Program, TAC funding supports core operations for five years and is renewable.
Currently, there are 30 TACs enabling innovation in Canada from coast to coast, including Fleming College’s Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies, which became a TAC in 2014.
Centres structured as specialized departments (such as Fleming’s CAWT) have Advisory Boards that draw on key college, regional and company stakeholders and who endorse and oversee annual reports and evaluate progress.
The current members of the CAWT Technology Access Centre Advisory Board are:
ANNE EGAN Association President, Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association
BRETT GOODWIN Vice President, Applied Research and Innovation, Fleming College
DIANE RICHARD President, Diatom Consulting and Professional Training
JOHN NEATE Managing Director, Strategies for Change
MIKE SKINNER (Chair) CEO, Innovation Cluster of Peterborough and the Kawarthas
ROBERT ANDREWS Senior Vice President, Infrastructure, EXP