Engineering as a ProfessionEngineering as a Profession

Manoj Choudhary, M. Eng., P.Eng.Manoj Choudhary, M. Eng., P.Eng.Student Liaison CoordinatorStudent Liaison Coordinator

Prelicensing ProgramsPrelicensing Programs

Professional Engineers OntarioProfessional Engineers Ontario

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

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

• mchoudhary@peo.on.camchoudhary@peo.on.ca

ObjectivesObjectives

• What is Professional Engineering?What is Professional Engineering?• How does PEO regulate the Profession?How does PEO regulate the Profession?• What are PEO’s Licensing Requirements?What are PEO’s Licensing Requirements?• Why do we have SMP and EIT Programs?Why do we have SMP and EIT Programs?• Mobility of P.Eng. LicenseMobility of P.Eng. License

Definition of EngineeringDefinition of Engineering

• ““Scientists investigate that which already is; Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been”engineers create that which has never been”

• Engineering is the application of scientific Engineering is the application of scientific knowledge to the optimum conversion of knowledge to the optimum conversion of resources that benefit the societyresources that benefit the society

• Engineers are not trained – they are educated Engineers are not trained – they are educated

Defining ProfessionalismDefining Professionalism

A complex set of characteristics involving:A complex set of characteristics involving:

• Specialized knowledgeSpecialized knowledge• Intense preparationIntense preparation• Dedication to public serviceDedication to public service• Autonomous decision-making authority in matters Autonomous decision-making authority in matters

of importance to society.of importance to society.

Practice of Professional EngineeringPractice of Professional Engineering

All three items must be present:All three items must be present:

1.1. Any act of designing, composing, evaluating, Any act of designing, composing, evaluating, advising, reporting, directing or supervising;advising, reporting, directing or supervising;

2.2. Wherein the safeguarding of life, health, property Wherein the safeguarding of life, health, property or the public welfare is concerned; or the public welfare is concerned;

3.3. That requires the application of engineering That requires the application of engineering principles.principles.

Why become a P.Eng.?Why become a P.Eng.?

• May be required by lawMay be required by law• Right to use “P.Eng.” and “Engineer” in job titleRight to use “P.Eng.” and “Engineer” in job title• Recognition by employers and clientsRecognition by employers and clients• Commitment to the professionCommitment to the profession• Participation in professional self-regulationParticipation in professional self-regulation• A global advantageA global advantage• opportunities for advancementopportunities for advancement

PEO - FactsPEO - Facts

• licensed Professional Engineers, P.Eng.licensed Professional Engineers, P.Eng. 67,000 67,000• Engineering InternsEngineering Interns (EIT) (EIT) 5,000 5,000• Certificate of Authorization Certificate of Authorization 3,900 3,900

• Designated Consulting EngineersDesignated Consulting Engineers 1,300 1,300• Student MembersStudent Members 6,600 6,600

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective

Professional Engineers ActProfessional Engineers Act• June 14th, 1922 – Creation of APEOJune 14th, 1922 – Creation of APEO• 1930’s elevated to level of profession through 1930’s elevated to level of profession through

‘right to practice’‘right to practice’• 1970’s mandatory Professional Practices Exam1970’s mandatory Professional Practices Exam• 1990’s intern experience period doubled1990’s intern experience period doubled• February 2003 – Strict use of terminology February 2003 – Strict use of terminology

including ‘engineer’including ‘engineer’

Professional Engineers OntarioProfessional Engineers Ontario

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

enforces the enforces the Professional Engineer’s Act of Ontario,Professional Engineer’s Act of Ontario,• sets the standards of practice for professional sets the standards of practice for professional

engineering in Ontario,engineering in Ontario,• Licenses & disciplines engineers & engineering firms, Licenses & disciplines engineers & engineering firms,

including control of the use of titles such as engineer, including control of the use of titles such as engineer, P.Eng., & Consulting EngineerP.Eng., & Consulting Engineer

• in order that the public interest may be served and in order that the public interest may be served and protected”.protected”.

How PEO Works?How PEO Works?

• Provides a self-governing facility;Provides a self-governing facility;• PEO Council; andPEO Council; and• Council approved committees:Council approved committees:

– develop policies;develop policies;– carry out legislated functions;carry out legislated functions;– guide the Association.guide the Association.

• 37 Chapters across Ontario37 Chapters across Ontario

How PEO FunctionsHow PEO Functions

• Setting standards for admission & the practice of Setting standards for admission & the practice of professional engineering;professional engineering;

• Developing and communicating these Developing and communicating these standards; andstandards; and

• Ensuring practice at the requisite level Ensuring practice at the requisite level by only by only authorized professionals.authorized professionals.

To serve and protect the public interestTo serve and protect the public interest

PEO’s Regulatory FunctionsPEO’s Regulatory Functions

3 Main Departments:3 Main Departments:• Standards & RegulationsStandards & Regulations• Licensing & RegistrationLicensing & Registration• Regulatory ComplianceRegulatory Compliance

• 4 year bachelor of engineering degree;4 year bachelor of engineering degree;• Professional Practice Examination;Professional Practice Examination;• Good character; 3 references;Good character; 3 references;• Legal status in CanadaLegal status in Canada• 48 months acceptable engineering experience; 48 months acceptable engineering experience;

with at least 12 months in Canada.with at least 12 months in Canada.• Must be at least 18 years old.Must be at least 18 years old.

Licensing & Registration – Admission CriteriaLicensing & Registration – Admission Criteria

Pre-Graduation ExperiencePre-Graduation Experience

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

experience.experience.• Pregraduation Experience Record Form Pregraduation Experience Record Form

available at www.engineeringstudents.peo.on.caavailable at www.engineeringstudents.peo.on.ca

Post-Graduate DegreesPost-Graduate Degrees

• Eligible for 12 months experience credit;Eligible for 12 months experience credit;• Thesis research work can count additionallyThesis research work can count additionally– Applied engineering nature; Applied engineering nature; – External industrial funding & applicationExternal industrial funding & application– Industrial P.Eng. refereeIndustrial P.Eng. referee

• Total time-credit cannot exceed time taken for Total time-credit cannot exceed time taken for degree and thesisdegree and thesis

Engineering ExperienceEngineering Experience

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

Application of TheoryApplication of Theory

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

• Link your work to your academics, refer to Link your work to your academics, refer to specific engineering principles:specific engineering principles:– What are the important parameters to consider?What are the important parameters to consider?– What are the options available to you?What are the options available to you?– How did you make your decision?How did you make your decision?– Who did you consult and how much assistance did you Who did you consult and how much assistance did you

receive?receive?– Why is the selected method appropriate under the Why is the selected method appropriate under the

circumstances? circumstances?

Practical ExperiencePractical Experience

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

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

work?work?• Why was it necessary to refer to these – what is the basis for these?Why was it necessary to refer to these – what is the basis for these?• How did limitations of time, material, personnel, etc. affect your How did limitations of time, material, personnel, etc. affect your

engineering work?engineering work?

Management of EngineeringManagement of Engineering

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

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

• How do you report your work?How do you report your work?

• Any written reports? Who receives these?Any written reports? Who receives these?

• Opportunities for presentations?Opportunities for presentations?

• Participation in meetings?Participation in meetings?

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

Social ImplicationsSocial Implications

• Benefits of engineering to the public;Benefits of engineering to the public;• Safeguards;Safeguards;• Relationship between engineering and the Relationship between engineering and the

public; andpublic; and• Role of regulatory agencies.Role of regulatory agencies.

Doubtful ExperienceDoubtful Experience

• Cross-discipline candidates Cross-discipline candidates

• Technician’s/ administration workTechnician’s/ administration work

–Quality activitiesQuality activities

– Patent agentsPatent agents

– TeachingTeaching

–ConstructionsConstructions

– Sales RepresentativesSales Representatives

Discipline vs. EnforcementDiscipline vs. Enforcement

• DISCIPLINE – Handles complaints against DISCIPLINE – Handles complaints against licensed engineers for incompetence, licensed engineers for incompetence, negligence, or professional misconduct. negligence, or professional misconduct.

• ENFORCEMENT – Concerned with practice of ENFORCEMENT – Concerned with practice of professional engineering by non-engineers, professional engineering by non-engineers, improper use of engineering titles by non-improper use of engineering titles by non-engineers, and unauthorized independent engineers, and unauthorized independent practice by engineers without a C of A.practice by engineers without a C of A.

Discipline CommitteeDiscipline Committee

• Revoke licenceRevoke licence• Suspend licenceSuspend licence• Limit professional workLimit professional work• Demonstrate knowledge - examsDemonstrate knowledge - exams• Publish findings including namesPublish findings including names• Right to appeal at Divisional CourtRight to appeal at Divisional Court

Enforcement ProcessEnforcement Process

• Contact the offendersContact the offenders• Educate them to the enforcement provisions of the Educate them to the enforcement provisions of the

ActAct• Give them “a reasonable chance to comply”Give them “a reasonable chance to comply”• Negotiate a satisfactory settlementNegotiate a satisfactory settlement

Legal proceedings are utilized when there is no Legal proceedings are utilized when there is no cooperation from the offenders and where there is cooperation from the offenders and where there is compelling evidence of an offence.compelling evidence of an offence.

Sources of ResponsibilitiesSources of Responsibilities

• Professional code of ethicsProfessional code of ethics

• Specific legislated dutiesSpecific legislated duties

• Contractual dutiesContractual duties

PEO Code of Ethics – Bottom LinePEO Code of Ethics – Bottom Line

• Being a professional carries certain legal and Being a professional carries certain legal and ethical responsibilities.ethical responsibilities.

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

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

SMP - ObjectivesSMP - Objectives

• Increase Increase level of professional awareness & behaviourlevel of professional awareness & behaviour• PromotePromote better communication between students and better communication between students and

the engineering communitythe engineering community• StandardizeStandardize the delivery of PEO’s programs and the delivery of PEO’s programs and

activities to studentsactivities to students• Provide a seamless transition from student Provide a seamless transition from student

through to licensed P.Eng.through to licensed P.Eng.

SMP - BenefitsSMP - Benefits

• Link to the engineering community through on-line Link to the engineering community through on-line information, Engineering Dimensions Magazine information, Engineering Dimensions Magazine (see your EngSoc office on campus), Chapter (see your EngSoc office on campus), Chapter involvement & surveysinvolvement & surveys

• Questions about engineering answered through Questions about engineering answered through your web connection to PEOyour web connection to PEO

• Participation means that your voice is heard and Participation means that your voice is heard and you & your opinions are counted!you & your opinions are counted!

• FREEFREE

Financial Credit Program (FCP)Financial Credit Program (FCP)

• CEAB Graduate StudentsCEAB Graduate Students• PEO will waive $230.00 Lic. Application feePEO will waive $230.00 Lic. Application fee• FREE EIT Membership – First Year FREE EIT Membership – First Year • Must apply on-line within six months of Grad.Must apply on-line within six months of Grad.• www.peo.on.ca/FCP/FCP1.html www.peo.on.ca/FCP/FCP1.html

Engineering Intern Training (EIT) ProgramEngineering Intern Training (EIT) Program

• Annual review of work experienceAnnual review of work experience• Personal guidance related to work experiencePersonal guidance related to work experience• EIT SeminarsEIT Seminars• EIT title for business cards & resumesEIT title for business cards & resumes• PEO publications mailed directly to youPEO publications mailed directly to you• Chapter membershipChapter membership• OSPE membership eligibilityOSPE membership eligibility

New & Developing ServicesNew & Developing Services

• Experience summary reviews Experience summary reviews • EIT introduction seminarsEIT introduction seminars• Mentoring (through the Chapters)Mentoring (through the Chapters)

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

Your Road-Map to Professionalism

Advocacy Vs. RegulatoryAdvocacy Vs. Regulatory

OSPEOSPE• For the benefit of the For the benefit of the

engineerengineer

• Advocacy role within Advocacy role within government and industrygovernment and industry

• Member services including Member services including salary surveys; career centre salary surveys; career centre

• www.ospe.on.cawww.ospe.on.ca

PEOPEO• To serve and protect the To serve and protect the

publicpublic

• Licence qualified individualsLicence qualified individuals

• Regulate the practice of Regulate the practice of engineering through engineering through enforcement and disciplineenforcement and discipline

• www.peo.on.cawww.peo.on.ca

Mobility of License in CanadaMobility of License in Canada

• Applicants licensed as Professional Engineers by Applicants licensed as Professional Engineers by another Canadian engineering assoc.another Canadian engineering assoc.– For at least five years – no additional For at least five years – no additional

requirements requirements – Less than five years may be required to write Less than five years may be required to write

PPE and meet current licensing requirementsPPE and meet current licensing requirements

Mobility of License in the U.S.Mobility of License in the U.S.

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

• Generally requirements to become licensed as a P.E Generally requirements to become licensed as a P.E

– Education (accredited program)Education (accredited program)

– FE Exam (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam)FE Exam (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam)

– Experience (4 years)Experience (4 years)

– PE Exam (Principles and Practices of Engineering Exam in your chosen PE Exam (Principles and Practices of Engineering Exam in your chosen

discipline)discipline)