From humble beginnings...
WATMEC has witnessed and responded to significant change in the workplace over the years. A full-service provider of people-centred training and development solutions, we’ve evolved with the industry – adapting to and advocating for advancements in outcome-based learning. And it all began in 1974.
Early 1970sWhere It All Started
The University of Waterloo Management Education Centre was established by Dennis Eaton and Donald Deveral with the university’s Alumni Association as a means of providing further education to its graduates – the business acumen and leadership skills desired by the businesses of the time.1974Out on Their Own
Dennis Eaton and Donald Deveral left the Alumni Association to create a private company, now known simply as Waterloo Management Education Centre – with the legal name of WATMEC Limited. They delivered classes in management in a public, lecture-type setting, often to groups of 60-80 participants.Early FacilitatorsInnovators are Key
Left: Herb Cohen, Top Right: William Onchen, Bottom Right: Ken Blanchard
Many facilitators who worked with WATMEC have gone on to write for our industry and became well known in their various fields. Herb Cohen authored the best-seller, You Can Negotiate Anything, and the Carter Administration used his help to get 52 hostages out of Iran. Two leaders in the training field, William Onchen and Ken Blanchard joined forces to write, The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey. Blanchard went on to co-author many great books for our industry, and Onchen's Managing Management Time: Who's Got the Monkey course was a regular at WATMEC until 1992.
1990Transitions
Waterloo Management Education Centre, now operating under its legal name WATMEC Limited, began to offer in-house programs to smaller groups of learners to align the program to the client’s goals and encourage more interactive learning.1991Changes in Ownership
Originally hired as General Manager of WATMEC, Dale Wilcox became a co-owner in 1991 when she purchased Donald Deveral’s shares.1994Expanding Services
WATMEC became an authorized partner of the Wiley Brand of products.
1996A New Beginning
With the purchase of Dennis Eaton’s shares, Dale and Russ Wilcox had acquired 100% ownership of WATMEC.1998WATMEC Goes International
WATMEC was invited to partner with the Bermuda Employer's Council to provide training to organizations on the Island of Bermuda. Pictured here is Bermuda’s Minister of Education, along with Dale at a celebration of this partnership.
2003Dale as OSTD & CSTD Chair
After becoming a board member in 2001, Dale Wilcox was elected inaugural Chair of the Ontario Society for Training and Development. When the board voted to go national that same year, she became the first Chair of the Canadian Society for Training and Development, and arranged for CSTD to become a global partner with the American Society for Training and Development.2008Learning is Accelerated
The concept of "Accelerated Learning" was introduced. WATMEC brought David Meier, the guru of Accelerated Learning to Canada to train WATMEC facilitators.2012WATMEC Training is Online
WATMEC launched its first-ever e-learning programs and catalogue.Facilitators Through the YearsInnovators are Key
Through years of change, the one constant for WATMEC has been their high-quality facilitators – all experts in their fields, deeply committed to fostering growth, innovation, and a love for learning among participants. By working with professionals who consistently seek out new teaching methods, embrace creativity, and genuinely care about helping others succeed, WATMEC has built a team that continues to inspire and empower people to excel in their professional journeys.
... to PresentContinuing to Evolve
WATMEC continues to offer in-house, custom-tailored programs, along with WATMEC’s Assessment Centre which focuses on a line of DiSC assessments and the hiring assessments of PXT Solutions. We are a proud, certified, award-winning distributor for the Wiley Brand of products.
...to where we are today
Over the past 50 years WATMEC has observed numerous challenges in the training and development industry including recessions, changes to legislation, and COVID-19. But we’ve also seen Human Resources move from a “cost centre” to having a seat at the table along with Talent Management and Chief Learning Officers. Through it all, WATMEC has helped organizations drive behavioural change in their people development and cultural initiatives.
We continue to look forward, acknowledging that our industry is again in the midst of unprecedented change. We see organizations facing technological advancements, increased globalization, new markets, and shifting workforce development strategies. They’re dealing with the challenges of artificial intelligence, hybrid workforces, issues of engagement, a new focus on data, budget restraints, an amplified demand for leadership training, and a stronger interest in life-long learning.
We also know these same successful organizations drive the Canadian economy, support our tax base, and provide a quality of life for their staff, families, and others. WATMEC’s role is to address these major challenges… enabling individuals to reach their full potential, and organizations to achieve workplace excellence.