The premier recently announced that Ontario's current commitment to highway construction is $10 billion over the next 10 years. As part of its strategy to ensure value for money, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will require construction inspectors to participate in a new certification and designation program.
The MTO is working with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) to ensure that qualified people oversee highway construction projects.
OACETT is the certifying body for engineering technicians and technologists in Ontario and will now qualify the MTO contract workers. OACETT received more than 120 applications and granted more than 64 designations by the end of 2001.
The three categories of workers who require OACETT designations are road construction contract administrator, road construction senior inspector and road construction junior inspector. These individuals represent the MTO on provincial road and highway construction projects to ensure that the expected level of quality is maintained throughout construction.
Beginning July 2002 certification of construction contract administration personnel will be mandatory for assignments awarded by MTO. Certification will be optional between January 1, 2002 and June 30, 2002. MTO, however, will accept individuals certified in accordance with this program, with the exception of some complex freeway projects which may require added experience requirements, without further review of credentials when reviewing bids for contract administration on road construction contracts.
