Engineers in Nova Scotia agree to mandatory professional development program

The Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia (APENS) has decided to adopt a new logo — Engineers Nova Scotia — and will use that name in its everyday dealings with the public and members.
The association’s official and legal name remains as it was, and members’ stamps will remain the same.
Nova Scotia’s move to simplify its identity follows a move last year by the national body — the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers –which became Engineers Canada.
Professional Engineers in Nova Scotia also voted to accept a mandatory professional development program. This landmark vote was held in late December 2007 and was approved by a majority of almost 70% in favour.
Most of the other provinces do not yet require their licensed professional engineers to adhere to continuing professional development programs, although Alberta has had a mandatory program for several years. British Columbia also strongly recommends that engineers pursue continuing education activities and has an on-line reporting mechanism.
Professional development programs usually require licensed individuals to undertake education activities and upgrade their skills such as by attending conferences, reading articles, writing articles and making presentations.
The Nova Scotia engineers also voted 92% vote in favour of changes to the complaints and disciplinary process, which is now required to make professional development mandatory. Another ballot resulted 94.4% in favour of updating the Code of Ethics, which mainly involved simplifying and modernizing the language.