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Competency-Based Assessment - Background
The Alternative Methods of Licensure project was launched in December 2008 to study alternative methods that would clarify the process of licensing professional engineers in Canada, making it more consistent and objective. Resulting research and consultation on improving the integration of international engineering graduates into the Canadian engineering profession revealed the need to improve the assessment process of applicants’ engineering work experience. A framework for a competency-based assessment of engineering work experience and an initial set of core engineering competencies were defined and accepted by all 12 constituent associations. It was agreed that work should continue to fully develop and pilot the competency-based assessment method.
As a result, Engineers Canada obtained funding through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program for the Competency-Based Assessment of Engineering Work Experience project, which started in January 2011.
About the Project
This project aims to develop and pilot competency-based assessment tools and processes to assess engineering work experience, satisfying the need for an equitable licensure process for both Canadian and internationally educated graduates. In line with the objectives of the Alternative Methods project, the proposed assessment system is expected to:
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continue to assure that only qualified individuals are permitted to practice professional engineering;
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provide a sound, open and transparent assessment method;
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provide specific criteria for assessors to make more objective assessments on whether an applicant has met the requirements for engineering work experience;
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clarify what information must be submitted by the applicant to meet the engineering work experience requirement; and
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provide specific examples of how engineering work experience is demonstrated so applicants can self-assess.
Approach
To date, the project has validated the initial set of competencies that were drafted during the Alternative Methods project through extensive consultation and a nation-wide survey of professional engineers. Examples have been developed to show applicants how to demonstrate that they have acquired these competencies and a complete work experience assessment toolset is currently under development.
The proposed assessment method is called the Report of Engineering Competencies. The principle behind the Report of Engineering Competencies is that the applicant’s past behaviours are indicative of their future performance. The process will include the following steps:
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The applicant provides examples of how they have demonstrated the competencies in their engineering work experience;
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The applicant’s engineering work supervisor validates the examples, confirming they are true statements that represent the applicant’s typical standard of work; and
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Trained assessors (constituent association volunteers or staff) evaluate the examples and determine whether or not they meet the level required for licensure.
For an overall view of the assessment system, click here.
The work experience assessment toolset will be piloted by two constituent associations in 2012. The pilots will be coordinated between the project team and the local association staff and assessors, who will receive specific competency-based assessment training and expert support.
The results from the two pilots will be used to refine the assessment toolset as well as provide recommendations for deployment by those constituent associations who choose to implement this system. Constituent associations may need to adapt the toolset to their specific requirements and work practices.
Although the pilots will be conducted on paper, the new assessment system will be designed taking into consideration the option of possible future online adoption.
Project Deliverables
The deliverables of the Competency-Based project are:
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examples of how to demonstrate achievement of the competencies;
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a toolset for the assessment of the competencies;
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guidelines and training materials for applicants, assessors, staff and validators (the engineering supervisors);
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a report on the outcomes of the pilot implementations; and
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a report on future implementation of the competency-based assessment system.
Expected Outcomes
The use of a competency-based assessment system will result in:
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greater clarity and transparency for applicants, assessors, employers and the general public;
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a change from a work portfolio assessment to a competency-based behavioural assessment system;
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objective assessments of all applicants, which ensures that the high professional standards are met; and
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better support for employee development through targeted opportunities to meet engineering work experience requirements.
Schedule
March 2011
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Developed project definition, schedule and plan
April 2011
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Held information session via webinar and teleconference
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Refined competencies and assessment system
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Established communication teams from across Canada
June 2011
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Created teams of subject matter experts from across Canada
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Started example writing workshops
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Started developing the assessment system tools, guides and forms
August 2011
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Example writing workshops completed
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Planning for the pre-pilot “desktop exercise” starts
September 2011
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Development of deployment toolkit
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Preparation for the pre-pilot “desktop exercise”
October 2011
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Pre-pilot “desktop exercise”
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Incorporate feedback into revised assessment system tools, guides and forms
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Refinement of deployment toolkit
November 2011
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Final selection of pilot locations
December 2011
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Meetings with pilot constituent associations for initial planning
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Tailoring of deployment toolkit for each constituent association
Engineers Canada is the business name of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers.
*The terms ENGINEER, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, P.ENG., CONSULTING ENGINEER, ENGINEERING, INGÉNIEUR, GÉNIE, ING.,
INGÉNIEUR CONSEIL and INGÉNIERIE are official marks held by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers.
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