Canadian Environment Experience Competencies - Guide for Applicants

The Canadian Environment Experience Competencies are 8 competencies that have been identified from the existing 34 competencies of the Competency-Based Assessment framework, and that best demonstrates knowledge and experience of Canadian regulations, codes, standards, quality control, safety awareness, professional accountability and communication.

The Canadian Environment Experience Competencies are:

Background

All applicants must demonstrate Canadian Environment experience under the direct supervision of a Canadian Professional Engineer (or equivalent). Traditionally, Canadian Environment experience (or equivalent) has been a time-based requirement, typically satisfied by working in a Canadian environment (or equivalent) for at least 12 months and by demonstrating that the appropriate depth and breadth of applicable Canadian engineering laws, practices, standards, customs, codes, conditions and climates have been achieved.

Participating regulators using the Competency Assessment System have determined the growing need to use a competency-based method to evaluate Canadian Environment experience.

The intent of the Canadian Environment Experience Competencies is to:

Provide clear and transparent evaluation criteria for the determination of satisfactory engineering experience in a Canadian Environment or equivalent.
Provide an alternative method for applicants to satisfy the minimum 12 months of Canadian Environment Experience Requirement.
Align the assessment method of the Canadian Environment Experience Requirement with the Competency Assessment System.
Maintain and uphold high standards for the engineering profession.
Reduce the reliance on time-based requirements (i.e., minimum 12 months).

Assessment of Canadian Environment Experience Competencies

All applicants will be required to meet a minimum scoring level for each of the Canadian Environment competencies (as shown in Table 1 below). Should an applicant achieve a level lower than the specified minimum required level, the applicant may be:

Required to complete the Working in Canada Seminar to supplement his/her knowledge of the Canadian Environment Competencies (if appropriate); and/or
Re-assigned the Canadian Environment Competencies that have not yet been met at a satisfactory level.

NOTE: If an applicant has been re-assigned one or more of the Canadian Environment Competencies, the applicant can still have the option to fulfill the Canadian Environment Experience Requirement by demonstrating at least 12 months of satisfactory engineering experience in the workplace.

Table 1: Assignment of Working in Canada Unit(s) for Partial Fulfilment of Canadian Environment Competencies

Canadian Environment Competency		Minimum Score Required	Working in Canada Seminar Unit for Partial Fulfilment (Knowledge Component: Maximum Score 2 out of 3) of Competency
Competency 1.1	Demonstrate knowledge of regulations, codes, standards and safety – this includes local engineering procedures and practices as applicable	3	WCS Unit 1 – The Regulation and Practice of Engineering in Canada WCS Unit 2 – Codes, Standards and Regulations
Competency 1.6	Safety awareness: be aware of safety risks inherent in the design; Demonstrate Safety Awareness – on-side and possible authorization/certificate as appropriate	3	WCS Unit 1 – The Regulation and Practice of Engineering in Canada WCS Unit 2 – Codes, Standards and Regulations
Competency 1.9	Understand the concept of quality control during design and construction including independent design check and independent reviews of design, field checks and reviews	3	WCS Unit 1 – The Regulation and Practice of Engineering in Canada WCS Unit 2 – Codes, Standards and Regulations(TBD) WCS Unit 4 – Collaboration and Peer Review
Competency 2.1	Oral Communication (in English/French)	3	WCS Unit 3 – Culture and Communication WCS Unit 4 – Collaboration and Peer Review
Competency 2.2	Writing (in English/French)	3	WCS Unit 3 – Culture and Communication WCS Unit 4 – Collaboration and Peer Review
Competency 2.3	Reading and Comprehension (in English/French)	3	WCS Unit 3 – Culture and Communication WCS Unit 4 – Collaboration and Peer Review
Competency 5.1	Work with integrity, ethically and within professional standards	3	WCS Unit 1 – The Regulation and Practice of Engineering in Canada
Competency 6.2	Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the engineering activity and the public	2	WCS Unit 1 – The Regulation and Practice of Engineering in Canada

Table 2: Assignment of Working in Canada Unit(s) for Partial Fulfilment of Canadian Environment Competencies

Assessment Score	Assessment Outcome
Rating meets the respective minimum Competency Category Level	Applicant satisfies the specified Canadian Environment competency (All Canadian Environment competencies require a minimum score of 3.0 except for Competency 6.2, which requires a minimum score of 2.0)
Rating is greater than 1, but less than minimum Competency Category Level	Applicant is assigned the relevant Working in Canada Seminar unit(s) to satisfy the Canadian Environment competency; and/or Re-assigned Canadian Environment competencies not yet satisfied
Rating is 0	Re-assigned the specified Canadian Environment competency