Celebrating Engineering and Geoscience Week

Message from the APEGS President

By Kristen Darr, P.Geo.

Professional engineers and geoscientists understand and better the world by applying science, technology and math.

Engineers can design, build and use machines and structures by employing scientific and mathematic principles. Geoscientists have an inherent curiosity about our planet, studying the processes that form and shape Earth’s surface, understanding natural resources and their uses, and recognizing the connection between water and ecosystems.

For thousands of years, these professions have been contributing in ways that benefit and shape societies around the world.

They help feed the people of this planet. They create new generations of machines and make computers work smarter and faster. They make a difference in communications and build connected communities. They help to power the future and shape industry. They build bridges to the future. They are grounded in the Earth’s history while they reach for the moon and Mars. They learn the secret language of rocks, develop our natural resources, manage our impact on the environment, and help our natural resources last longer.

Those doing this work must uphold professional practice and ethical standards. In Canada, the engineering and geoscience professions are regulated in the public interest by self-governing professional licensing bodies.

In Saskatchewan, this responsibility is upheld by The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS) through The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act.

In addition to setting high standards for admission into the professions, APEGS is also required to investigate any allegations of professional incompetence or misconduct in accordance with the Act. The Association is responsible for disciplining members who fail to uphold the professions’ practice and ethical standards.

Any professionals undertaking engineering or geoscience work in Saskatchewan must be registered with APEGS. As such, APEGS also takes appropriate action to prevent the illegal practice of engineering or geoscience by any unlicensed individuals.

The work done by APEGS means the public can be confident that professional engineers and geoscientists have the right education, the right skills, and the ethics to protect the public interest and the environment.

It also means that professional engineers and geoscientists can be proud of belonging to a profession with a reputation for excellence, and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life, health, safety, and well-being of all Canadians.

Highlighting the work of our members as well as APEGS’ role as a regulator is important so that the public understands these professions as well as their responsibilities, requirements and contributions. A recent campaign by APEGS — known as Engineers & Geoscientists Energize (and Empower) the Province — can be interpreted as referring to Saskatchewan’s energy sector as well as alluding to the innovation, creativity, and dynamism of engineers and geoscientists in all sectors.

In all corners of the province, the contributions of engineers and geoscientists can be found, adding significantly to the progress of our province. Major projects are underway and there is opportunity for more in the future. This work by Saskatchewan’s engineers and geoscientists is not only bettering our province, but it is making an impact around the world. Many fascinating and important projects are worked on by members of APEGS — within this province’s borders and in places far from here.

These projects will require even more highly knowledgeable individuals who uphold professional practice and ethical standards as they make their contributions. A number of them will be local people trained in the skill and knowledge of the professions here at Saskatchewan’s universities. Others will make Saskatchewan their home, bringing their knowledge and skill that they acquired in other parts of the world to this province.

APEGS values the need for diversity in the engineering and geoscience professions. We need a wide variety of people who will bring their personal life experience and culture to their roles in these professions, becoming examples for others who are looking for a path to a career that is well-respected and valued in our communities.

As a regulator, we ensure our policies and processes are inclusive and do not impose barriers to people who meet the educational and experience requirements to be licenced as an engineer or geoscientist. APEGS promotes the value of diversity and inclusion to our members through professional development opportunities and articles in our member magazine. Our staff and volunteers also learn and share about diversity and inclusion through collaboration with other engineering and geoscience regulators in Canada.

The professions of engineering and geoscience are well-respected by Canadians, in part, because they are regulated by an association like APEGS. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to contribute in my role as president to this association and am proud to be a registered member, working to benefit my home province of Saskatchewan.