INNOVATION May-June 2013

APEGBC-led Initiatives Aim to Speed up Integration of Internationally Trained Professionals In November 2012, the BC provincial government announced $4.6 million in funding for initiatives aimed at assisting the

Mentoring, CP Program, Regulatory Outreach Featured in 2013/2014 Budget On a yearly basis, the association’s budget is created within clear guidelines set by Council. Following scrutiny and revision by the Executive Committee of Council, it is then brought forward for examination by all members of Council. At its most recent meeting in May, Council approved APEGBC’s operating budget for 2013/2014. The approved budget reflects the Sustainable Financial Policy, and aligns with APEGBC’s Strategic Service Plan and Council Work Plan. There will be no increase to membership fees in the budget, and a $10 annual fee will no longer be applied to APEGBC members and licensees’ secondary professional liability insurance coverage. The 2013/2014 budget will operate with a deficit of $114,000. Monies from the general operating fund will be used to mitigate this budgeted deficit. Through the budgetary review process, efficiencies and economies equal to $458,000 were applied in 12 different areas of operation. These efficiencies enabled the inclusion of 35 program initiatives totalling $513,000. These include expansion of the mentoring program to support the professional registration of members- in-training and applicants, administra- tion of the Certified Professional (CP) program, a member compensation survey, regulatory outreach to employ- ers of APEGBC members, and the implementation of recommendations to support the recruitment and reten- tion of women in the engineering and geoscience professions.

integration of internationally trained professionals into the Canadian labour market. At that time, APEGBC submitted funding proposals to the BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation for a number of initiatives aimed at addressing several high priority areas for the qualification assessment and recognition of skilled immigrants. Funding approval has been received from the ministry for three projects, and APEGBC is pro- ceeding with this work. In cooperation with the ministry, APEGBC will be leading three projects aimed at addressing key areas that can delay the full participation of internationally trained engineering or geoscience professionals in the BC labour market: matching profession- al qualifications to the appropriate career, understanding professional practice require- ments in a Canadian environment, and language competency. Online Assessment Tool for Equivalent Engineering Occupations - To assist internationally trained professionals in determining the equivalent Canadian occupa- tion for their skill sets and education, APEGBC will work with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) on the development of a web-based self-assessment tool that will direct the user to the appropriate engineering career and professional body based on the information they submit. The online tool is intended to more quickly and effectively route skilled immigrants to engineering-related careers that best match their skills and qualifications. Review of One-year Canadian Experience Requirement - Currently, Canadian engi- neering regulatory bodies require a minimum one-year of Canadian or equivalent work experience for registration. This requirement is aimed at ensuring that all registrants have been exposed to aspects of Canadian engineering practice including professional supervi- sion; training; legal requirements such as climates, codes and standards; and customary Canadian engineering ethics and practice. APEGBC will work with Engineers Canada and other partners to review the current experience requirement with the goal of clearly defining and articulating the competencies and expected outcomes for the internationally trained professional, in support of preparing those professionals to enter the Canadian labour market in their chosen profession. English Language Assessment Pilot - APEGBC will work with Engineers Canada and other partners on a feasibility study to examine how an existing Engineers Canada Engineering Language Assessment could be used cost effectively within Canada to test English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The study will identify transparent and fair selection criteria for who would be required to take the test. These projects aim to contribute strategically to improving the efficiency and effectiveness with which skilled immigrants are integrated within the BC economy as fully participating members of the labour force in their trained professions. They also reinforce APEGBC’s commitment to ensuring responsible regulation of professional engineering and geoscience through the admission and licensing processes. Work on the three initiatives is currently underway with project delivery dates in fall of 2013 and spring of 2014. Questions about the projects can be directed to Gillian Pichler, P.Eng., FEC at gpichler@apeg.bc.ca or 604.412.4857.

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