INNOVATION January-February 2014

OQM Launch Assist— Helping Organizations to Become Fully Certified Through the development and rollout of the Organizational Quality Management (OQM) program, APEGBC has learned that due to competing priorities, not all organizations have the resources to imple- ment a quality management program in a timely fashion. To better support such organizations, APEGBC introduced OQM Launch Assist in mid-2013. OQM Launch Assist provides cost-free consultation for organi- zations that require assistance in prepar- ing their submission for OQM certifica- tion. To qualify, one representative from participating organizations must have attended the OQM Certification Training. OQM Launch Assist usually begins with a visit to your organization by APEG- BC’s consultant. Depending on what each organization already has in place, services may include the following: • A gap analysis of an existing quality management system against the OQM Audit Checklist • Assistance with the adaptation or development of OQM compliant policies and procedures • Overview and review of appropri- ate organizational policies and procedures. Dr. Eustina Musvoto, P.Eng., President of TruSense Process Engineering, used Launch Assist to help her organization implement a quality management program more easily. “The training workshop and follow-up support with Marg Latham, P.Eng., [the Launch Assist Consultant], were very helpful. They clarified and simplified the whole process, making it painless particularly for a small business like ours.” If you have already attended the OQM Certification Training and would like to take advantage of OQM Launch Assist, e-mail oqm@apeg.bc.ca. If you would like to sign up to participate in the OQM program, visit apeg. bc.ca/oqm-sign-up. Join the over 200 organizations already participating in the OQM program.

Supporting Engineering and Geoscience Students in British Columbia The APEGBC Foundation would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2013/2014 scholarships and bursaries. Over 50 scholarships were awarded through the Foundation’s scholarship program to deserving engineering and geoscience students studying at post- secondary institutions. These include the following: • Fifteen $1,500 BC Hydro – APEGBC Scholarships • Ten $1,000 APEGBC – MAPS Scholarships • The $500 APEGBC Central Interior Branch/ University of Northern BC Vladimir Pasicnyk Scholarship • Two $500 APEGBC Okanagan Branch and UBC Okanagan 4 th Year Engineering/ Geoscience Scholarships • Fifteen $2,500 Entrance Scholarships • The $1,000 APEGBC South Central Branch Thompson Rivers University Engineering Transfer Scholarship Each scholarship fund is unique and awarded based on a diverse set of criteria including academics, year of study, exemplary professional characteristics, advancement of the professions, and community involvement. With these funds, the APEGBC Foundation strives to remove financial barriers and assist the best and brightest students to pursue careers in engineering and geoscience. The APEGBC Foundation was established in 1993 to promote education in engineering and geoscience. Administered by a Board of Directors, the Foundation is a registered charity responsible for collecting, managing, and investing contributions, donations, and bequests from both members and external partners. Through the generous donations of APEGBC members, the Foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships since its inception. Donations are welcome year-round to support students pursuing careers in engineering or geoscience and can be made online, by mail, or through the annual fee renewal. To discuss giving a charitable gift, please contact Jennifer Cho, Director of Finance & Administration, at jcho@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.4870. More information on the APEGBC Foundation is available on the APEGBC website at apeg.bc.ca/foundation. APEGBC Foundation Seeks Scholarship Adjudicators The APEGBC Foundation is seeking additional members for its Scholarship Review Committee. This Committee was established by the Foundation to adjudicate scholarships for engineering and geoscience students, using the criteria set out by the Foundation directors. All scholarship adjudicators must be professional engineers, professional geoscientists, or limited licensees registered with APEGBC in good standing. The Foundation seeks Committee members who demonstrate a desire to support those pursuing engineering or geoscience education, have some experience assessing applicants’ resumes and qualifications, and maintain an ongoing association with students. The Scholarship Review Committee currently adjudicates Entrance and Transfer Scholarships, the BC Hydro – APEGBC Scholarship, and the APEGBC – MAPS Scholarship. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Scholarship Review Committee, please contact Andrea Wilson, Student Program Coordinator, at awilson@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.4860. Have You Declared Your CPD? Don’t forget to declare your continuing professional development (CPD) hours for the 2013 calendar year. You can do so online through the APEGBC website by signing into the member log-in area at apeg.bc.ca/For-Members/Member-Portal.

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