INNOVATION November-December 2012

Affinity Program, payroll service provider controls, and completeness of revenues. The audit was also extended to include a review of the Chief Executive Officer’s expenses and a review of procurement processes. The Audit Committee reported that the auditors found no issues in these areas. On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, Council approved the APEGBC Audited Financial Statements for the year ending June 30, 2012. In response to a motion brought forward at the 2011 Annual General Meeting, Council also approved clarify- ing changes to the presentation of information in the financial statements. New statements were published in the 2011/2012 annual report that more clearly demon- strate how departmental activity aligns with the audited financial statements. Online Assessment System Expanded to Additional Disciplines To improve registration process efficiency, APEGBC established the Competency-based Assessment System, a key component of which is a tool that allows applicants for professional engineer registration to submit their experience online for validation and assessment. This system, which was initially launched for applicants from the civil (municipal/infrastructure), structural and electrical (power and industrial) disciplines, was approved by Council for applicants from the materials, metallurgical and mineral processing field. Use of the system is recommended for all applicants for professional engineer registration in these four areas of practice, including engineers-in-training in their third and fourth years of experience who are ready to start recording their progress. In the long term, APEGBC plans to expand use of the system for all engineering disci- plines. For more information, see page 9 of this issue or www.apeg.bc.ca/reg/competency.html . APEGBC Renews MOU with SITE BC APEGBC Council approved the renewal of a Memoran- dum of Understanding with the Society of Internation- ally Trained Engineers of BC (SITE BC). SITE BC is

an independent non-profit society that represents the interests of BC’s internationally trained engineering com- munity. This agreement has been in place since 2004 and has fostered positive engagement and a direct linkage between the two organizations on areas and issues of common concern. Annual Review of Registration Processes In accordance with Council policy, a task force appointed by the Registration Committee undertakes an annual review of the committee’s policies and procedures to identify any required changes based on process and performance. Council approved changes to academic examination regulations that will provide more flexibility in allowing candidates to complete the Fundamentals of Engineering or Confirmatory Examinations, and also approved a policy for screening Experience Review Interviewees to support a continued reduction in both interviews and the lead time to an interview. Council Oath of Office Updated Upon taking office, APEGBC Council members swear or affirm an Oath of Office, which requires Council members to be bound by the Council Governance Policies. These policies address a wide range of topics, and concerns about the breadth and vagueness of these policies and the Oath of Office’s connection to them were raised. A new Oath of Office that clearly that sets out the key duties and obligations of board members was recommended by the Governance Committee and approved by Council. Support of Education in the North Council approved a request to support the Northern Technology and Engineering Society (NTES) in seeking provincial government funding and support for the development of civil and mechanical engineering and technology programs at UNBC and the College of New Caledonia. The goal of this initiative is to address the recruitment and retention challenges currently faced by engineering companies in that region of the province through enabling students to be educated there.

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