Ryley Proznik, P.Tech.(Eng.)
Ryley Proznik says that one of the biggest hurtles technology professionals face today in their respective industries is a lack of legislation to define their roles. Such legislation would prohibit non-professionals from misrepresenting the work without the same level of accountability certified technologists are committed to providing. Traditional professions don’t typically face this unique challenge and technology disciplines should be no different, Ryley says. This hurtle has significantly broadened job competition to the point where industry has wrongfully focused on how far they can reduce costs, instead of focusing on the far more important quality of the work completed. Technologists resultantly often find themselves in a race to the bottom alongside unqualified practitioners for the same jobs. Experienced professionals are facing lower career mobility or being priced out of the market entirely at a time when their skillsets should be held in higher regard.
When new technologists finish college and join the association, Ryley understands that experienced members owe it to them to lay a strong foundation. That can help them have a lifelong career without worrying about anyone off the street willing to do the job without that integrity and taking the opportunity away. Ryley recognizes the need for continued lobbying efforts at the provincial level advocating for rights to professional exclusivity within technology professionals’ defined scopes of practice. He plans to coordinate with educational institutions as well, to convince them that they need to push beyond simply satisfying industry demand for general skill sets, and refocus efforts on facilitating the protection of the continuity of professional technology disciplines.
Ryley pledges to promote on all fronts the idea that the profession’s work ensures that the public infrastructure our communities are built on will be better and safer, because certified technologists are the ones trusted to carry out these roles. If elected, he will maintain an open-door policy with members who would like their perspectives represented, and he will share those perspectives on their behalf.
When we put people first, communities thrive, Ryley holds. Creating a community where individuals feel free to express themselves can cause positive change to occur. It’s his firm understanding that technology professionals can make this province a better place each day by virtue of their individual contributions to their professions. With the contributions of everyone, Ryley knows we can actively continue to create inclusive communities where everyone can feel that they belong and have adequate representation to suit their needs.
As a technologist, Ryley has 18 years of experience in the civil construction/engineering industry, at multiple levels of the engineering and construction process. Adding to that is 10 years of civil engineering project coordination experience and testing facility management. He’s also directly trained dozens of technical professionals starting out in the industry for over a decade and a half. Ryley is a dedicated family man, amateur wood worker and avid outdoorsman. He enjoys regular treks in the wilderness, carpentry, mechanics and spending time with his family in Edmonton.