INNOVATION July-August 2015

as soc ia t i on notes

Forging Stronger Ties with Engineering and Geoscience Employers

APEGBC Seeks Clarity on ASTTBC’s Proposed P.Tech. Designation Recently, the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) announced plans to introduce a Professional Technologist designation (P.Tech.) in 2015. ASTTBC describes a P.Tech. as: “an ASTTBC member who, by virtue of education, training and experience, is capable of taking independent responsibility for work that is generally bounded by prescribed codes, recognized standards and established practice.” It is unclear as to the specific work that is believed to be within the scope of a P.Tech., and how it would relate to the practice of engineering and geoscience as defined by the Engineers and Geoscientists Act . Under existing legislation, only individuals licensed under the Engineers and Geoscientists Act have the right to independent practice for engineering and geoscience. APEGBC has repeatedly sought additional information from ASTTBC but has only been advised that the details are still being developed. APEGBC Council is concerned about the confusion the introduction of a P.Tech. designation may cause to the public, and about the lack of information ASTTBC has provided about whether it is seeking independent practice rights for holders of a P.Tech. APEGBC offers engineering licences (Eng.L.) and geoscience licences (Geo.L.), which enable qualified practitioners to take full professional responsibility for work within a prescribed scope of practice. It is Council’s position that Eng.L. and Geo.L. licences, which already exist, meet the need for qualified individuals who are seeking independent practice rights within an approved scope. Qualified ASTTBC members can apply for these designations with APEGBC. The introduction of an additional designation, such as P.Tech., has the potential to create industry, stakeholder and public confusion; this does not support APEGBC’s goal of upholding the public interest. APEGBC continues to support an environment where all members of the engineering and geoscience team contribute to the primary goal of upholding the public interest, and do so within the scope of responsibility appropriate to their level of education and experience. Members will be kept informed as more information becomes available. The Council election and the vote on the proposed professional development bylaw will take place this fall. Make sure you receive the voter information email by updating your contact information with APEGBC. APEGBC’s professional members (P.Eng. and P.Geo.) and limited licensees (Eng.L. and Geo.L.) are eligible to vote, and voting information including the candidate statements and bylaw wording will be circulated by email in late Au- gust. This information will also be available online. Paper ballots and hard cop- ies of the candidate statements will also be available by contacting the APEGBC office. Once this information has been circulated, voting for the election and bylaw ratification will remain open until noon PST, October 2, 2015 . To update your contact information, log onto the member portal at apeg. bc.ca/update-info or contact the APEGBC office at 604.430.8035 or toll-free 1.888.430.8035. Council Election and Bylaw Vote How to receive your voting information

APEGBC hosted representatives from the top 30 major employers of APEGBC members as well as special industry guests at a luncheon on June 9, 2015. This outreach event provided a forum for APEGBC to both gather and share information about how the association can be a better resource for members and their employers, and enhance the value it provides these key stakeholder groups. The event connected industry representatives with members of APEGBC Council and senior staff to discuss some of the major initiatives underway, and better understand what challenges and issues engineering and geoscience employers are facing. Topics of discussion included work to support economic development, foreign qualifications recognition, diversity in the professions and the workplace, and continuing professional development. The event also provided the opportunity to share information about APEGBC professional practice and quality management resources available to employers of APEGBC members, such as the OQM Program and staff practice advisors. By engaging employers and industry through events such as these, APEGBC hopes to improve the effectiveness of APEGBC programs and resources for the benefit of these groups.

APEGBC councillors and senior staff met with employers and industry representatives at an outreach event held in June.

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