Innovation-Nov-Dec-2023

These webinars, and other professional practice-related webinars, are provided at egbc.ca/Events .

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WEBINARS egbc.ca/Events

E thics in P ractice : P rofessional C onduct B etween S ubmitting P rofessionals and A uthorities H aving J urisdiction : December 6, 2023. egbc.ca/Events/Events/2023/23DECEIP

FREQUENT PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE INQUIRIES How does Engineers and Geoscientists BC respond to professional practice issues in a timely manner? Professional practice issues are brought to the attention of Engineers and Geoscientists BC on a regular basis, often through the Practice Advice Program ( egbc.ca/Practice-Resources/Individual-Practice/Practice-Advice Program ). This program allows registrants, as well as the public, government bodies, and others, to correspond with a practice advisor, who is a professional registrant, to receive professional practice and ethical advice. Many issues can be handled by staff through reference to existing guidance documents, quality management standards, and the Code of Ethics. Sometimes, however, issues are brought forward that are complex and require industry-specific knowledge. In these instances, a network of advisory groups has been developed over the years to provide advice and recommendations to staff. These advisory groups include volunteer registrants and others who have knowledge and expertise in various areas of practice. After a comprehensive review and evaluation of Engineers and Geoscientists BC programs and activities to bring operations in line with the Professional Governance Act and the Engineers and Geoscientists BC 2022-27 Strategic Plan, the structure of practice-related volunteer groups is being modified. Technical divisions are being dissolved and existing advisory groups are being transitioned into a new structure as shown in the figure below.

Built Environment: This group will encompass building code related issues and expand to other areas of practice including civil and transportation infrastructure. Natural Resources and Natural Hazards: This group will encompass areas of practice within natural resources and natural hazards and will include areas previously focused on by various Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s technical divisions. High Technology: This group will allow for a holistic and comprehensive review of appropriate areas of software engineering as well as other disciplines, such as biomedical engineering. Manufacturing and Equipment: This group will include manufacturing and equipment safety which are areas of practice where we intend to increase our support and guidance. Climate Change and Sustainability: This group will allow for a more focused and holistic approach to considering issues facing registrants in the areas of climate change and sustainability. This structure better fulfills our regulatory mandate by expanding and broadening the areas of practice encompassed by the groups, while aligning their scopes and reporting structure. These modifications are intended to allow the organization to be future focused by providing enhanced collaboration opportunities for staff and registrants, optimizing staff and volunteer time and effort, and allowing for agility and transparency in dealing with professional practice issues as they arise. We recognize and highly value the significant contributions of volunteers for the divisions and advisory groups over the years, and we encourage anyone interested to apply to any of the groups. You can apply through the Volunteer Opportunities webpage ( egbc.ca/ About/About-Us/Volunteer/Volunteer-Opportunities) . For inquiries and questions about these changes, please contact afehr@egbc.ca .

There are terms of reference for each group, but the following outlines a brief overview of a high-level scope for each advisory group: Professional Practice: This group will be an over-arching group that makes recommendations to staff regarding setting guideline and advisory priorities. It will have at least one representative from each advisory group.

Amy Fehr, P.Eng. Manager, Professional Practice Advice Program

INNOVATION

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

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