Stantec is a large and successful organization, a testament to the competence of its people. Herb Putz, R.P.T.(Eng.), became an APEGGA professional to improve his contribution and further his career.

"The opportunity to gain recognition and have the responsibility for work performed within a defined scope has been very rewarding" Ken Moore, R.P.T.(Eng.)

BY GEORGE LEE
The PEGG

A young program that attracts qualified engineering technologists to APEGGA's professional fold is winning high praise from those who carry the designation, as well as from the companies they work for and the clients they serve. Right now, more than 70 APEGGA licensees are permitted to put the designation R.P.T.(Eng.) after their names. It means they have met the qualifications contained in the legislation and that they are able to independently practice engineering within their defined scope of practice.

"From the clients' perspective, this demonstrates that I have the experience and training to perform the tasks they expect of me," says Herb Putz, R.P.T.(Eng.), a senior electrical consultant in Edmonton with the worldwide engineering firm Stantec. Clients see his proposals, check his credentials and learn that Mr. Putz is proficient within his scope. "By the time they've accepted my proposal, they know that the designation is credible."

Credibility is built into the approval process. See related story. Mr. Putz was among the early technologists to follow this career path, receiving his APEGGA designation in December 2000, and the decision to apply has proven itself a good one. It's no empty title, either. Being an R.P.T.(Eng.) has helped Mr. Putz do a better job.

"I have the opportunity to take full responsibility for my area of a project - and accept full liability. I'm extremely aware of my responsibilities. I often go back and review the requirements of the designation, my scope of practice and the ethical responsibilities of what I do."

Competent and Capable
Mr. Putz's supervisor needs no convincing. "He's excellent on both counts - as an R.P.T.(Eng.) and as an employee. His most exemplary characteristic is technical knowledge and background," says Glenn Stowkowy, P.Eng., a Stantec Consulting principal.

"He was competent and capable before, and it's definitely carried forward. He earned a high degree of respect before, and he elevated that to an even higher level when he demonstrated further qualifications and was granted the title," says Mr. Stowkowy.

There were financial implications, too. After Mr. Putz, 49, received his designation, he approached his employer and negotiated a better salary package.

Like Mr. Putz, George Germain, R.P.T.(Eng.), has no regrets. Mr. Germain, the president of natural gas pipeline SCADA for Tandem Technology Consulting Inc., consults natural gas pipeline operations in computerized real-time operating processes. He'd worked with engineers and technologists for many years, and believed he could qualify for the designation by combining his education and experience.

"I now have clients in the gas industry who seek out my experience for consultation," says the 47-year-old.

Confidence Grows
He's currently consulting for Petrobras, the oil and gas company of Brazil, helping it with its SCADA evolution. "Since registration, I have more confidence working with clients, even though they tend not to know the designation very well yet. They do trust, however, the broader process of ASET/APEGGA registration to show ability."

Mr. Germain is thankful for the efforts of the people at ASET and APEGGA who pushed for the designation. "These people worked hard for many years, through all the changes needed in legislation and within ASET and APEGGA. Their perseverance has paid off as professional status for me, and I thank them all."

Ken Moore, R.P.T.(Eng.), is another APEGGA professional working on SCADA from a Calgary base. The president of Atlantis Controls Ltd., Mr. Moore designs SCADA acquisition, instrumentation and control, and communications and low voltage power systems for crude oil and natural gas facilities. "The opportunity to gain recognition and have the responsibility for work performed within a defined scope has been very rewarding," says Mr. Moore, 44.

More Notice
His working relationships with clients and professional engineers have improved. With the combining of his designation and experience, Mr. Moore has also become more credible and respected on the job, he says. "Recognition is becoming more noticeable within the professional community. I have had clients mandate the R.P.T.(Eng.) designation and responsibility on all work performed."

There's been one surprising benefit come Mr. Moore's way, too. "It seems that recognition from the financial and insurance industries, as well as the general public, is more noticeable, and somewhat of an unexpected advantage."