Why sustainability could be the secret behind RV Anderson's talent strategy
Awards recognize achievements. For R.V. Anderson Associates Limited (RVA), the stories behind the awards matter most.
By: Matthew King
Receiving the 2026 Employer Impact Award in Sustainability highlights RVA's commitment to building stronger communities. Equally important is the impact the firm has on the people who help build them.
Civil Engineering graduate, Hibah Shaikh (CIVE, '26), is one of those people. During her co-op term at RVA she joined the flow project, a major infrastructure initiative supporting growth in Ontario's Peel Region. As her confidence grew, so did her responsibilities. One of which was completing important calculations for a final engineering report.
"Knowing the final number I found was going into the report, I was like, 'wow, okay, this is serious,'" says Shaikh. For Shaikh, the impact was meaningful enough to accept a full-time position with the company as an Engineering Designer.
Providing that level of responsibility to next-generation talent is intentional. According to Aeliya Saeed, Talent Acquisition Advisor at RVA, students are contributing members of the team rather than temporary support staff.
"Students are not part-time interns to us. We treat them like employees," says Saeed. "Whatever time they spend, they will be working on projects that will have a very meaningful impact.
Sustainability and student impact
At RVA, students are not simply learning about sustainability in theory. The firm’s “People. Projects. Planet.” commitment aligns their engineering work with broader environmental goals. This includes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a focus on creating sustainable, resilient communities.
The firm's work with Waterloo co-op students supports projects such as:
- Water and wastewater management like hydraulic modelling, which compares infrastructure options and identifies energy-efficient approaches.
- Climate vulnerability, greenhouse gas assessments and low-impact development and green infrastructure.
- Environmental initiatives such as data collection for progress dashboards.
- Protection efforts for aquatic ecosystems and restoration of natural habitats.
Hibah Shaikh (left) and Aeliya Saeed (right)
For Shaikh, sustainability became more tangible while working on microtunnelling projects. In construction, the method can reduce impacts on the surrounding landscape.
We need to find a middle ground where the community's needs can also be met, but it doesn't have to come at the cost of the environment.
That perspective reflects how RVA approaches sustainability: as a consideration that must be integrated into the decisions engineers make, from infrastructure design to the protection of natural ecosystems. For students, it creates opportunities to see how technical work can translate into environmental outcomes.
A culture of mentorship and belonging
The firm pairs meaningful sustainability work with a strong culture of support. RVA's approach centers on mentorship, open communication and providing students with access to experienced professionals. The company's buddy program was designed to help students navigate both the workplace and their career development.
Grand River mussel relocation project
"Some of our engineers have been with the company for over 30 years,” says Saeed. “The experience and things that they can share- there's no match for that."
For Shaikh, that support made a lasting impression.
"I really liked the mentors and the people I was working with," she says. "Seeing them break things down into simpler terms and guide me step by step as a new aspiring engineer was really meaningful."
Just as important was the sense of belonging she experienced throughout her work term.
"I felt like I was contributing to something meaningful. Even as a student, I was doing something important. When you feel a sense of belonging, it's like, okay, I can see a future here."
Turning co-op experiences into careers
Many employers offer students exposure to projects. RVA aims to do more by helping students build the confidence, skills and connections needed for long-term career success.
For Shaikh, the experience came full circle when she accepted a full-time position upon graduation.
"Because I took the chance to try something new, I ended up with a job that I am now really happy with," she says.
As RVA celebrates its Employer Impact Award for Sustainability, stories like Shaikh's illustrate why the company continues to stand out as a co-op employer. The firm's commitment to sustainability may have earned the recognition, but its investment in students leaves a lasting impact.
Harmony Creek water pollution control plant