Employee spotlight: Peter Beaulieu, Industrial Technology Advisor

For 7 years, Peter Beaulieu led the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) National Construction Sector team. Throughout his long career with the NRC and NRC IRAP, Peter has continued to implement strategies to deliver new technologies and processes to construction and manufacturing SMEs across Canada, with a focus on Indigenous organizations. With a background in industrial engineering, Peter has been involved in both the engineering and business aspects of these partnerships.

Having started his career at the NRC's former Institute for Research in Construction (now known as the Construction Research Centre) over 20 years ago, Peter has worked at many different NRC sites across Canada, including in Ottawa, Regina, Calgary, Kelowna and Edmonton. His career has helped him pursue interests in product improvement and build relationships with clients and stakeholders, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led organizations.

Peter was recently involved in 2 pilot projects with Indigenous band councils, a first for the NRC and NRC IRAP.

"My goal is and has always been to bring the right people together to create opportunities, especially for Indigenous organizations. Any time there's a chance, I've always been there trying to help them," shares Peter.

A proud member of the Denı́nu Kų́ę́ First Nation from the Northwest Territories, Peter was at the forefront of the NRC's Indigenous Support Network, a group of industrial technology advisors who were interested in supporting and helping Indigenous companies succeed. Since it began, Peter has engaged with over 100 Indigenous organizations.

With his strong background in building strategic relationships, Peter hopes to invest more time in the network and other Indigenous-related initiatives and activities at the NRC.

"We see an increase in interest in working with Indigenous organizations. As NRC IRAP and other programs become more flexible, there are many more events and opportunities, and people are becoming more involved."

Make your mark: become an Industrial Technology Advisor

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) provides advice, connections and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market.

We are currently looking to grow our network of industrial technology advisors (ITAs) across Canada. Be part of our team of seasoned industry professionals who leverage their technical, business and entrepreneurial experience to help Canadian companies grow and thrive.  

Explore current opportunities, become an ITA!

To learn about the contributions of many of the talented people that make up the NRC, visit our stories webpage.