Innovation Winter 2024.25

Information needs As this work progresses, registrants also had feedback for Engineers and Geoscientists BC on what they wanted more information about. The most common request was information about the details and scope of the reserved practice for ASTTBC registrants (74 percent), followed by the requirements and process for introducing it (17 percent), and the impact of this change (13 percent). Next steps Engineers and Geoscientists BC and ASTTBC are considering this feedback as they work to create descriptive materials to clarify the reserved practice. While a timeline for introducing this reserved practice is still to be determined, if Cabinet approves the regulation for reserved practice, the specifics of the reserved practice – which would take the form of a regulation under the PGA – would be published to BC Laws and be shared more broadly for input. Previous practice shows that it can be beneficial to delay the in-force date of the reserved practice to approximately one year after the publication date. This approach gives time for registrants, industry, and the public, to prepare for implementation and allow feedback to be gathered from a wider audience. As this work progresses, Engineers and Geoscientists BC will keep registrants up to date through regular communication in Innovation , eNews, and by email.

concept more commonly referred to as “practice rights” before the introduction of the Professional Governance Act ( PGA ). In the case of the proposed reserved practice for ASTTBC registrants, professional engineers and licensees would continue to supervise those performing work in the reserved practice of engineering and would also be able to practice and to supervise others in the future reserved practice of applied science technology. Benefits, concerns, and current practice Registrants noted several benefits associated with introducing reserved practice for ASTTBC registrants. The top-noted benefits included recognizing technologists and technicians as accountable professionals, providing oversight for work that is unregulated and preventing unqualified individuals from practicing, and providing more clarity about which professionals can engage in specific types of work. In terms of concerns, registrants mentioned potential confusion around the line between engineering and applied science technology, uncertainty around qualifications and competence to take on independent work, and encroachment into the reserved practice of engineering. Registrants also provided feedback about workflows between engineers, technologists and technicians in current practice. Items noted included clarity between roles, what type of work is carried out independently by technologists and technicians in their workplaces, and the criteria for assigning this work.

Alpha

Geotechnical Engineering Materials Testing Non-Destructive Testing Mining Geotechnics Offshore Engineering Forensic Engineering Environmental Engineering Expert Witness

Precision

www.alphaadroit.ca 778-322-4110 | 780-708-4110

Innovation Winter 2024/25

17