Awards Program Changes

APEGS reviewed the existing awards program to ensure it continues to effectively recognize meaningful contributions by engineers and geoscientists while enhancing the overall value and prestige of the program.

The program was refocused into four distinct areas of accomplishment:

• Technical achievement throughout a professional career
• Service to the professions and community
• Significant engineering and geoscience projects
• Exceptional achievements by professionals early in their careers

This updated structure provides clearer award categories, strengthens recognition of recipients, and makes it easier for nominators to identify the appropriate award category. The following sections outline the updates made to each award.

Outstanding Achievement Award Renamed to Individual Lifetime Achievement Award

The award was renamed to provide greater clarity regarding its purpose and focus.

The Individual Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes significant technical accomplishments in engineering and/or geoscience achieved over the span of an individual’s career. The revised name better communicates that this is an individual technical achievement award and distinguishes it from service-focused recognition categories.

Brian Eckel Distinguished Service Award and McCannel Award Combined into Service Award

The Brian Eckel Distinguished Service Award and McCannel Award both recognized contributions related to service, professional involvement, and support of the engineering and geoscience professions.

Combining these awards creates a stronger and more comprehensive service recognition category while reducing overlap between similar awards. The updated McCannel Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate significant service through professional associations, public education, volunteering, and community involvement.

The Brian Eckel Distinguished Service Award was also discontinued to avoid duplication, since ACEC-SK also has a Brian Eckel award.

Exceptional Engineering/Geoscience Project Award and Environmental Excellence Award Combined into Exceptional Project Award

These awards were combined to create a broader project recognition category that recognizes significant engineering and geoscience projects.

The updated Exceptional Project Award recognizes newly or recently completed projects that demonstrate exceptional achievement and significance for Saskatchewan. Environmental protection and preservation are given special considerations within the evaluation criteria, while allowing projects to be recognized based on their overall impact, innovation, and contribution.

Friend of the Professions Award Removed from Program

The Friend of the Professions Award was discontinued due to declining interest and a lack of alignment with the revised awards structure.

The updated program focuses on four clear areas of accomplishment where engineers and geoscientists demonstrate excellence: technical achievement, professional service, significant projects, and early-career achievements.