Matt Bertram

Staying Young at Heart: Skelton BrumweLl’s Matt Bertram still feels like a kid every time he’s out on-site.

Q: What is your position and what are your responsibilities?

I’m a senior project engineer and partner with Skelton Brumwell & Associates. As a civil engineer by trade, my job includes providing engineering services and project management for a wide range of clientele. For the aggregate industry, my duties include project management for licence and amendment applications, design and drafting of site plans, preparation and review of technical studies, consultation with agencies and stakeholders, and undertaking compliance assessment reports. I also work with a number of private and public sector clients on development projects, including preparing site servicing and grading designs, servicing studies, sewage system designs, and Phase I environmental site assessments.

Q: What is it about your job that other people wish they got to do?

I think the one aspect of my job people wish they could experience is travelling throughout Ontario to visit the wide range of project sites that I’m involved with. I’ve visited numerous aggregate sites, from large scale quarry operations to pit sites that have literally taken a single truckload out of the ground. I’ve also been able to observe the day-to-day challenges that operators face, and the care and effort they put into managing their resource and protecting the environment around them. My role has also afforded me the ability to do work for clients such as schools, ski resorts, hotels, commercial buildings and residential developments. I’ve seen some unique sites, like a glass recycling facility, a cosmetics factory, and even a lab that makes parts for the International Space Station. I’ve been fortunate to visit some sites that others may not even know exist.

Q: What do you find most challenging in your work?

There are a number of challenges involved in my work. On any typical day this could include lack of communication or action from a review agency, having to educate an operator on how their goals can’t be met from a technical perspective, or dealing with complaints from landowners. At the end of the day, it’s my job as a consultant to help our clients meet their end goals, while also protecting the public and the environment, and meeting the approval requirements of the various agencies. We aren’t always able to achieve every one of our clients’ objectives, but we do our best to meet their needs and work within the requirements and regulations.

Q: Describe your typical day on the job and how the work you do contributes to your company.

There really is no “typical” day for me, which some days is a good thing, and some days is a bad thing! I spend a number of days in the field visiting sites throughout the year, either for meetings/walkthroughs, reviewing issues that operators need assistance with, Compliance Assessment Reports (CARs), or looking at new application or amendment sites. My days can also include site plan design/drafting, technical report writing, mentoring other staff, and liaising with other consultants involved in application files to ensure projects are moving forward. I also spend time networking with new clients and preparing proposals for new work.

Q: How did you get interested in this work?

I have a long family history in the construction industry – we go back four generations as contractors, so it’s definitely in my genes. My family owned a small sand pit near our house where I grew up, so we were lucky enough to play with Tonka toys at home and have the real machines just down the road. My dad exposed me to heavy equipment at a very young age and taught me how machines work together on-site to take the material out of the ground and use it to build something. I knew growing up that I wanted to be involved in the industry and am glad I figured out a career path that has let me do that. I’m still a big kid every time I’m out on-site – fascinated watching equipment work, only now I see equipment working to follow the site plans that I designed.

Q: What sort of education do you have that is relevant to your job?

I have a Bachelor of Engineering Science (Civil) degree from the University of Western Ontario, which included courses in geotechnical and environmental engineering, hydrology, geology and project management – all courses that provided some fundamentals for working in this industry. I was also fortunate to complete two co–op terms at Skelton Brumwell, so I was able to get exposure to aggregates while still in school, and then tailor some of my elective courses towards this field. Today I take advantage of whatever continuing education opportunities are out there – courses, webinars or networking with other consultants are all great ways to keep up to date with changes in the industry, which as we know is constantly evolving.

Q: Where do you see the industry going in the next few years?

My hope is we’ll see improvements to the review and approval process. Despite the challenges the industry has faced at times with the new process, I’m excited that everyone will be under the same process across the province. It’s been an interesting period navigating a new approval process in the midst of a global pandemic, but I’m hopeful that as we continue to work through the technical and logistical challenges of designing and licensing sites, we can also go through a more streamlined and efficient process to help producers reach their end goals.

Q: What advice would you give to others looking for a career in the aggregate industry?

I would say if you’re interested, pursue it any way you can. Reach out to operators in your area and see if they would give you a tour of their site – what better way to get on the ground knowledge than going right to the source? Learn about what’s actually involved in site operations, not just taking material out of the ground but also how water is managed or wildlife is protected. Most of all, be open-minded to the opportunity that may be there for you. This is a great industry to be a part of, with a real sense of camaraderie amongst the operators and consultants. Everyone is dealing with the same challenges and is working towards the common goal of successful operations while being good stewards of the land. The demographics of this industry are shifting substantially and there is tremendous opportunity for the younger generation to get involved at the ground level and work your way up quickly if you put in the time and effort.