INNOVATION January-February 2013

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 17 NUMBER 1

v iewpoint

I sometimes hear that the stature and profile of our two professions— engineering and geoscience—need improvement. It is worthwhile reflecting on some of the factors that may have a bearing on these— both for better and worse—and thereby make an assessment of what might be done to improve them. As major benefits to our profile, our professions are key drivers of job creation, wealth creation, productivity increases and economic development. Engineering marvels are increasingly portrayed on television. We have a rigorous regulatory environment that assures the highest standards of public safety, thus enabling solutions that are safe, cost effective, sustainable and socially acceptable. And our professions are amongst a minority that require baccalaureate degrees (Apart from leading to engineering and geoscience careers, they provide an excellent base as well for careers in other realms.) On the other hand, there are a number of challenges associated with our profile. In my opinion, engineering is insufficiently introduced in schools; teachers are usually not engineers, and engineering is often viewed as akin to science, whereas the two disciplines are very different, especially with respect to the role of design. Einstein stated: “Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been.” And, although geoscience is indeed a science, professional geoscience has a strong focus on application and professionalism— more so than some other science disciplines—and this is insufficiently understood and appreciated. Engineering and geoscience are often associated with disasters, failures and negative environmental and societal impacts. Such perceptions are unfortunate since these disciplines are in fact the best means of preventing or limiting failures, minimizing environmental impacts, assuring sustainable development, and balancing competing societal needs in a rational and thoughtful way—for example with respect to energy or urban development. As well, our disciplines may be perceived as providing careers that are less well suited to women; engineers may sometimes be perceived as unduly conservative and low key; and finally, there are insufficient engineers and geoscientists in leadership positions. The above analysis reveals where efforts may be directed to enhancing our profile. First, more can be done with messaging and advocacy, directed in part to the high schools. Likewise, efforts are needed to promote the attractions of our professions to women, and to increase the number of women in both disciplines. Our image could also be benefit in the following way: while the high tech sector has come across as exciting, innovative and entrepreneurial, its engineers are less closely engaged with the engineering profession; therefore, our association’s embrace of the high tech sector, becoming more relevant to it and promoting it, may have the added benefit of enhancing our image. Finally, there needs to be an increased focus on leadership development—both at universities and beyond—so as to assure that a greater number of engineers and geoscientists maintain a big-picture perspective, are engaged in strategic thinking, are active in public speaking, and eventually move into leadership positions both within the professions and in public life. Overall, I am optimistic that, while our stature and profile are certainly sound, they can be enhanced notably over the long term.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 Fax: 604.430.8085 E-mail: apeginfo@apeg.bc.ca Internet: www.apeg.bc.ca Toll free: 1.888.430.8035

2012/2013 COUNCIL, APEGBC P resident M.D. Isaacson, P.Eng., PhD V ice P resident M.B. Bapty, P.Eng., FEC P ast P resident J.H. Holm, P.Eng., FEC

The Profile of Engineering and Geoscience in BC

COUNCILLORS A.E. Badke, P.Eng.; S.M. Carlson, P.Eng.; J.J Clague, P.Geo. PhD; A Fernandes, CIM, FCSI; H. Hawson, P.Eng., FEC; D.M. Howes, P.Eng.; H.G. Kell,y P.Eng.; G.D. Kirkham, P.Geo.; J. Martignago; A.J. Mill, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC; K.E. Savage, P.Eng., FEC; M. Waberski, BCLS; M.C. Wrinch, P.Eng., PhD; S. Wynn, PhD

ASSOCIATION STAFF A.J. English, P.Eng. C hief E xecutive O fficer and R egistrar T.M.Y. C hong, P.Eng. C hief R egulatory O fficer and D eputy R egistrar J.Y. Sinclair C hief O perating O fficer M.L. Archibald D irector , C ommunications and S takeholder E ngagement J. Cho, CGA D irector , F inance and A dministration D. Gamble D irector , I nformation S ervices A. Lim A/ D irector , M ember S ervices P.R. Mitchell, P.Eng. D irector , P rofessional P ractice , S tandards and D evelopment D. Olychick D irector , M ember S ervices G.M. Pichler, P.Eng. D irector , R egistration G.A. Thiele, LLB D irector , L egislation , E thics and C ompliance R.M. F ilipiak, P .Eng. A ssociate D irector , A dmissions V. Lai, CGA A ssociate D irector , F inance and A dministration J.J.G. Larocque, P.Eng., LLB A ssociate D irector , P rofessional P ractice

Dr. Michael Isaacson, P.Eng. President

Melinda Lau M anaging E ditor

EDITORIAL BOARD S. Chiu, P.Eng.; R. Gupta, P.Eng., P h D; C.L. Hall, P.Geo.; S.K. Hayes, P.Eng.; K.S. Hirji, P.Eng.; M.A. Klippenstein, P.Eng.; I. Kokan, P.Eng.; M.E. Leslie, P.Eng.; B. Thomson, P.Geo., FEC (Hon)

president@ apeg.bc.ca

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