PLATO Panel Talks is taking on Software Testing, AI and Machine Learning with our host, Mike Hrycyk, sitting down with Sean Wilson (Senior Director, Engineering, WindRiver) and Nathaniel Couture (VP Quality Engineering at Xtract One Technologies Inc.). How does AI impact the future of the testing profession? The panellists explore the pressing question by exploring the benefits and challenges of incorporating AI into testing processes, how AI may change the nature of testing, and the ethical considerations and risks associated with AI in software development. Find the Episode Transcript ⁠⁠⁠he ..read more

In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, guest host Heather Stapleton (Director of the Apprenticeship Program) is taking over to dive into the crucial topic of allyship within the tech industry. We're also joined by panellists Raena Steeves, Keisha Nguyen, and Joel Vautour, as they chat about what it means to be an ally, why it's so crucial for women in tech, and navigating the complexities of offering effective support. Plus, keep an eye out for our "Allyship Spotlights" that shine a light on PLATO employees' personal experiences and perspectives on allyship, offering valuable insights. Altogeth ..read more

In this episode of PLATO Panel Talks, our host, Mike Hrycyk is diving into the importance of learning and growth in IT, particularly in software testing. He is joined by two panellists driving learning opportunities at PLATO Kevin Swaine, (Director - Delivery, Atlantic) and Amrit Bhattacharya, (Director - Delivery, Prairies). Together, they discuss the role of individuals and organizations in fostering growth, the balance between technical and leadership skills, and the importance of continuous learning. The panellists also provide their top three growth topics in testing today for individuals ..read more

In this PLATO Panel Talks, our host Mike Hrycyk brings together PLATO's Founder and CEO, Keith McIntosh, and Ron Hyggen, CEO of ⁠Kitsaki Management LLP⁠ and board member of PLATO. Keith and Ron share with us how PLATO came to be and how, together with partners like Kitsaki, PLATO has been able to achieve its goal of Indigenous ownership. Keith and Ron talk to Mike about how Indigenous ownership helps PLATO and Kitsaki bring more opportunities for Indigenous people in the tech industry. Sharing their experiences with PLATO and Kitsaki, our panel also shows how a strong social mission ..read more

This month, PLATO Panel Talks is bringing together its panel of experts to help us better understand Enterprise Testing. Our host, Mike Hrycyk, and guest panellists, Jason Lee (Lead of Quality Engineering Practice for Deloitte Canada) and Kamal Ahuja (VP of Service Delivery, AB for PLATO) share their experiences to help answer, "what makes Enterprise Testing different from other testing projects?" They also provide a lens into the various elements of Enterprise Testing and how a Software Tester who is interested in bringing quality to major transformations can do so through Enterprise Testing ..read more

In this PLATO Panel Talks, our host Mike Hrycyk brings together PLATO's Founder and CEO, Keith McIntosh, and Ron Hyggen, CEO of ⁠Kitsaki Management LLP⁠ and board member of PLATO. Keith and Ron share with us how PLATO came to be and how, together with partners like Kitsaki, PLATO has been able to achieve its goal of Indigenous ownership. Keith and Ron talk to Mike about how Indigenous ownership helps PLATO and Kitsaki bring more opportunities for Indigenous people in the tech industry. Sharing their experiences with PLATO and Kitsaki, our panel also shows how a strong social mission ..read more

This month, PLATO Panel Talks is bringing together its panel of experts to help us better understand Enterprise Testing. Our host, Mike Hrycyk, and guest panellists, Jason Lee (Lead of Quality Engineering Practice for Deloitte Canada) and Kamal Ahuja (VP of Service Delivery, AB for PLATO) share their experiences to help answer, "what makes Enterprise Testing different from other testing projects?" They also provide a lens into the various elements of Enterprise Testing and how a Software Tester who is interested in bringing quality to major transformations can do so through Enterprise Testing ..read more

PLATO Panel Talks is back for 2023, and our host Mike Hrycyk is sitting down with two returning panellists and experts in Test Automation, Jonathan Duncan, Chief Delivery Officer at PLATO Tech and Sean Wilson, Senior Director of Engineering at Wind River, to ask “is Test Automation a silver bullet?” While the panel may debate whether Automation is a silver bullet for your testing needs, they also share how they set automation up for success on a project and the essential role that Test Automation plays in software testing today and in the future. Find the Episode Transcript here Find us at: h ..read more

We are excited to be back this week with part 2 of PLATO Panel Talks: Introducing the PLATO Training Program. In this episode, our host Mike is chatting with two of our PLATO graduates – Michael Jamieson (Sault Ste. Marie) and Nicholas Grant (Vancouver). The graduates are now full-time members of the PLATO team and are joining us for a conversation about their experience throughout the software tester training program and internship. We are so excited to have them on our podcast to share their journey to the course started, the experience of the program, and where they see their careers headin ..read more

The PLATO Training program, which started in 2015 and has now taught and employed more than 250 Indigenous software testers, will be the topic of today's special two-part panel talk. Open to members of the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities, the program provides participants with the education and expertise necessary to begin a career in tech and become full-time software testers. John Howes, PLATO Training Manager, and Dani Gulliver, a PLATO Instructor, join our host, Mike Hrycyk, for a deep dive into the program from the perspective of those teaching and managing it. In addition to a ..read more