INNOVATION November-December 2017

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STEM EDUCATION PAYS, BUT GENDER PAY GAP PERSISTS Statistics Canada census data released in November 2017 have yielded insights into the relationship between degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and post-graduation earnings. Findings from 2016 census data indicated that, overall, young graduates with a bachelor’s degree in STEM fields tended to have higher earnings than those from the business, humanities, health, arts, social sciences, and education fields. What’s more, those with degrees in engineering, and computer and information science were most likely to be working in fields more closely matched to their education and skills than other degree holders. In 2015, median earnings for graduates between the ages of 25 and 34 with a bachelor’s degree in STEM fields were $68,450, higher by 24.2% than those in non- STEM fields at $55,118. Among STEM fields, earnings were highest for engineering graduates. Census data showed that median engineering salaries were above $77,000, compared to jobs in the biological sciences at $53,481, or computer and information science at $69,912. Gender continued to play a role in the returns on a STEM education. In 2015, young women with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field earned 82.1% of what their male counterparts earned, compared to 91.2% for those with non-STEM degrees and 84.9% overall. This gap narrowed for those with engineering jobs: women between the ages of 25 and 34 employed in engineering earned 96% of what men earned; however, women represent a relatively small proportion of young engineering graduates. In 2016, 48% of workers overall were women. In terms of post-graduation employment, census data identified that young graduates with bachelor’s degrees in nursing, engineering, education and teaching, and computer and information science were more likely than other graduates to be working in jobs closely related to their studies. Seven out of 10 engineering, or computer and information science degree holders were working in science and technology occupations, while those with degrees in biological sciences tended to be working in fields outside of those occupations.

SEA LEVEL RISE INCORPORATED INTO FLOOD HAZARD GUIDELINES An amendment to BC’s Flood Hazard Area Land Use Management Guidelines incorporating sea level rise into building setbacks and flood construction in coastal areas will come into effect January 1, 2018. Local governments are required to consider the Flood Hazard Area Land Use Management Guidelines in development and land-use management planning and approval decisions for flood hazard areas. The amendment is based on a 2011 technical report commissioned by the Province, which recommended incorporating sea level rise into planning and development to ensure a standard of public safety into the future. The amendment recommends that coastal communities allow 1.0 m sea level rise by 2100 and 2.0 m sea level rise by 2200 (relative to the year 2000 and considering regional uplift and subsidence). It provides recommended flood construction levels and setbacks that local governments are required to consider when making bylaws for designated sea level rise planning areas. The definition of and methodology for the determination of flood construction levels and setbacks for coastal areas have also been modified. The amendment, available on the Provincial government website, is supplemented by the 2011 report Climate Change Adaption Guidelines for Sea Dikes and Coastal Flood Hazard Land Use – Guidelines for Management of Coastal Flood Hazard Land Use , and the 2011 companion report, Climate Change Adaption Guidelines for Sea Dikes and Coastal Flood Hazard Land Use - Draft Policy Discussion Paper . As identified by Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s professional practice guidelines Flood Mapping in BC and Legislated Flood Assessments in a Changing Climate in BC , those acting in the role of Qualified Professional must review and reference relevant legislation, such as the Flood Hazard Area Land Use Management Guidelines , and appropriately educate the client regarding pertinent aspects while providing services such as determining flood construction levels, flood plain mapping and flood assessments. Starting in 2013, consultation on the amendment to the Province’s Flood Hazard Area Land Use Management Guidelines occurred prior to implementation, seeking feedback from technical experts, local government professional staff, First Nations, and other stakeholders. Engineers and Geoscientists BC participated, providing review of and input on the amendment. COURSE TARGETS ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF BUILDING CODES Experienced professionals seeking to deepen their current knowledge of Canadian building codes can do so through a course jointly offered by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia and the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC). Starting February 21, 2018, the Advanced Code Knowledge course comprises eight full-day seminars. Course content is taken from the building codes portions of the Certified Professional course and is intended for engineers, architects, and others with existing knowledge of Canadian building codes and experience in the building construction industry who are looking to increase their level of knowledge and expertise in this area. This course may be taken as additional preparation for those planning to take the Certified Professional course and exams in 2019, or may be taken on its own. The course will be offered at the AIBC offices in downtown Vancouver and remotely via webcast. Registration information is available at aibc.ca/ event/advanced-code-knowledge/. j

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