OTTAWA, June 14, 2016 /CNW/ – Tech-Access Canada, the network of Canada’s Technology Access Centres, welcomes Minister Bains’ launch of the federal government’s Innovation Agenda.
Located from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island, Canada’s 25 Technology Access Centres (TACs) are dedicated centres affiliated with a Canadian college or cégep providing local industry – particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises – with collaborative access to specialized technology, equipment, training, and research expertise to enhance their productivity and innovation.
TACs see themselves represented in the government’s focus areas of Clusters and Partnerships, and Growing Companies and Accelerating Clean Growth, and look forward to sharing our unique model with Innovation Leaders at roundtable discussions this summer.
“Canada’s Technology Access Centres work with well over one thousand innovative clients, partners and collaborators each year, and have wonderful, impactful success stories across the economic sectors that are critical to improving Canada’s global competitiveness”, said Ken Doyle, Tech-Access Canada’s Executive Director.
As the hands-on innovation hub of a region, a TAC assists a firm to improve a product or process, and get these to market faster. For example, on Vancouver Island, Camosun’s Technology Access Centre, which is focused on advanced manufacturing technology, introduced a Nanaimo, BC-based firm to Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) welding as a potential means to improve productivity and weld quality on their aluminum vehicle mounted air compressor tanks. Since adopting CMT welding, the firm has improved their tank manufacturing productivity by a factor of 20.
“Tech-Access Canada, and our members from coast to coast, look forward to working with Ministers Bains, Duncan, and Chagger to position TACs as one of Canada’s key innovation intermediaries, helping to build resilient regional economies and helping boost the productivity and competitiveness of the country’s innovative SMEs”, added Doyle.
Tech-Access Canada is the member-driven national network of Canada’s 25 Technology Access Centres, who serve the research, training and innovation needs of a specific regional economic cluster. The member TACs created the network to raise awareness of TACs; share best practices and support member-driven working groups; and provide professional development opportunities, all with the goal of providing the maximum impact for their industry clients and partners. Tech-Access Canada works with government departments and agencies, as well as industry associations, to promote how TACs add value to Canada’s innovation ecosystem. The network was launched in September 2015 and is co-located in Ottawa at the offices of Colleges and Institutes Canada.
More information about Tech-Access Canada and our member Technology Access Centres can be found at: www.tech-access.ca and on Twitter: @TechAccessCDA
SOURCE Tech-Access Canada
Image with caption: “Logo: Tech-Access Canada (CNW Group/Tech-Access Canada)”. Image available at:Â http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160614_C5517_PHOTO_EN_713499.jpg
Marie-Josée Lavoie, Director, External Relations, Tech-Access Canada, mjlavoie@tac-cat.ca, 613-746-6626