Engineering as a Profession

Manoj Choudhary, M. Eng., P.Eng.

Student Liaison Coordinator Prelicensing Programs

Professional Engineers Ontario

• • • Professional Engineers Ontario website www.peo.on.ca

PEO Student membership (SMP) website www.engineeringstudents.peo.on.ca

[email protected]

Objectives

• • • • • What is Professional Engineering?

How does PEO regulate the Profession?

What are PEO’s Licensing Requirements?

Why do we have SMP and EIT Programs?

Mobility of P.Eng. License

Definition of Engineering

• • • “Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been” Engineering is the application of scientific knowledge to the optimum conversion of resources that benefit the society Engineers are not trained – they are educated

Defining Professionalism

A complex set of characteristics involving: • • • • Specialized knowledge Intense preparation Dedication to public service Autonomous decision-making authority in matters of importance to society.

Practice of Professional Engineering 1.

2.

3.

All three items must be present: Any act of designing, composing, evaluating, advising, reporting, directing or supervising; Wherein the safeguarding of life, health, property or the public welfare is concerned; That requires the application of engineering principles.

Why become a P.Eng.?

• • • • • • •

May be required by law Right to use “P.Eng.” and “Engineer” in job title

Recognition by employers and clients Commitment to the profession Participation in professional self-regulation A global advantage opportunities for advancement

PEO - Facts

• • • • •

licensed Professional Engineers, P.Eng.

Engineering Interns (EIT) Certificate of Authorization Designated Consulting Engineers

Student Members

67,000 5,000 3,900 1,300

6,600

Historical Perspective

• • • • •

Professional Engineers Act

June 14th, 1922 – Creation of APEO 1930’s elevated to level of profession through ‘right to practice’ 1970’s mandatory Professional Practices Exam 1990’s intern experience period doubled February 2003 – Strict use of terminology including ‘engineer’

Professional Engineers Ontario

• • • • Mandate: “Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) administers and enforces the Professional

Engineer’s Act of Ontario,

sets the standards of practice for professional engineering in Ontario, Licenses & disciplines engineers & engineering firms, including control of the use of titles such as engineer, P.Eng., & Consulting Engineer in order that the public interest may be served and protected”.

How PEO Works?

• • • • Provides a self-governing facility; PEO Council; and Council approved committees: – – – develop policies; carry out legislated functions; guide the Association.

37 Chapters across Ontario

How PEO Functions

• • • Setting standards for admission & the practice of professional engineering; Developing and communicating these standards; and Ensuring practice at the requisite level by only authorized professionals.

To serve and protect the public interest

PEO’s Regulatory Functions

• • •

3 Main Departments:

Standards & Regulations Licensing & Registration Regulatory Compliance

Licensing & Registration – Admission Criteria • • • • • • 4 year bachelor of engineering degree; Professional Practice Examination; Good character; 3 references; Legal status in Canada 48 months acceptable engineering experience; with at least 12 months in Canada.

Must be at least 18 years old.

Pre-Graduation Experience

• • • • • Up to 12 months credit; After 50% of course work; Stepping-stone in career development; Assessed after 12 months post-graduate experience.

Pregraduation Experience Record Form available at www.engineeringstudents.peo.on.ca

Post-Graduate Degrees • • • Eligible for 12 months experience credit; Thesis research work can count additionally – Applied engineering nature; – External industrial funding & application – Industrial P.Eng. referee Total time-credit cannot exceed time taken for degree and thesis

Engineering Experience

• • • • • Application of theory; Practical experience; Management of engineering; Communication skills; and Social implications of engineering.

Application of Theory

• •

Do I need my engineering studies to do my job? If so, how?

Link your work to your academics, refer to specific engineering principles:

– What are the important parameters to consider?

– What are the options available to you?

– How did you make your decision?

– Who did you consult and how much assistance did you receive?

– Why is the selected method appropriate under the circumstances?

Practical Experience

• • • • • • The function of components as part of a larger system; Limitations of practical engineering; What considerations did you have to make due to real world conditions?

What codes and standards did you use as part of your engineering work?

Why was it necessary to refer to these – what is the basis for these?

How did limitations of time, material, personnel, etc. affect your engineering work?

Management of Engineering

• • • • • • Planning; Scheduling; Budgeting; Supervision; Project control; and Risk assessment.

Communication Skills

• How do you report your work?

• Any written reports? Who receives these?

• Opportunities for presentations?

• Participation in meetings?

• Any examples of having to promote your engineering ideas through a reporting mechanism? What was the result?

Social Implications

• • • • Benefits of engineering to the public; Safeguards; Relationship between engineering and the public; and Role of regulatory agencies.

Doubtful Experience

• • Cross-discipline candidates Technician’s/ administration work – Quality activities – Patent agents – Teaching – Constructions – Sales Representatives

Discipline vs. Enforcement

• DISCIPLINE – Handles complaints against licensed engineers for incompetence, negligence, or professional misconduct. • ENFORCEMENT – Concerned with practice of professional engineering by non-engineers, improper use of engineering titles by non engineers, and unauthorized independent practice by engineers without a C of A.

Discipline Committee

• • • • • • Revoke licence Suspend licence Limit professional work Demonstrate knowledge - exams Publish findings including names Right to appeal at Divisional Court

Enforcement Process

• • • • Contact the offenders Educate them to the enforcement provisions of the Act Give them “a reasonable chance to comply” Negotiate a satisfactory settlement Legal proceedings are utilized when there is no cooperation from the offenders and where there is compelling evidence of an offence.

Sources of Responsibilities

• Professional code of ethics • Specific legislated duties • Contractual duties

PEO Code of Ethics – Bottom Line

• Being a professional carries certain legal and ethical responsibilities.

• Recognizing ethical dilemmas and determining actions to address them are important skills for professionals.

• Your professional colleagues can assist you to make ethically sound decisions.

SMP - Objectives

• • • • Increase level of professional awareness & behaviour Promote better communication between students and the engineering community Standardize the delivery of PEO’s programs and activities to students

Provide a seamless transition from student through to licensed P.Eng.

SMP - Benefits

• • • • Link to the engineering community through on-line information, Engineering Dimensions Magazine (see your EngSoc office on campus), Chapter involvement & surveys Questions about engineering answered through your web connection to PEO Participation means that your voice is heard and you & your opinions are counted!

FREE

Financial Credit Program (FCP)

• • • • • CEAB Graduate Students PEO will waive $230.00 Lic. Application fee FREE EIT Membership – First Year Must apply on-line within six months of Grad.

www.peo.on.ca/FCP/FCP1.html

Engineering Intern Training (EIT) Program • • • • • • • Annual review of work experience Personal guidance related to work experience EIT Seminars EIT title for business cards & resumes PEO publications mailed directly to you Chapter membership OSPE membership eligibility

New & Developing Services • • • Experience summary reviews EIT introduction seminars Mentoring (through the Chapters)

Your Road-Map to Professionalism

• • • Student Membership Program (SMP) Engineer Internship Training Program (EIT) P.Eng. Licence

Advocacy Vs. Regulatory

• OSPE For the benefit of the engineer • Advocacy role within government and industry • Member services including salary surveys; career centre • www.ospe.on.ca

• PEO To serve and protect the public • Licence qualified individuals • Regulate the practice of engineering through enforcement and discipline • www.peo.on.ca

Mobility of License in Canada

• Applicants licensed as Professional Engineers by another Canadian engineering assoc.

– For at least five years – no additional requirements – Less than five years may be required to write PPE and meet current licensing requirements

Mobility of License in the U.S.

•

Each state and jurisdiction of the United States have local laws governing the practice of engineering.

•

Generally requirements to become licensed as a P.E

–

Education (accredited program)

–

FE Exam (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam)

–

Experience (4 years)

–

PE Exam (Principles and Practices of Engineering Exam in your chosen discipline)