Core Competencies

THE 7 CORE COMPETENCIES FOR CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP OF B.A.P.E.

On 1 September 2022, the Barbados Association of Professional Engineers implemented new requirements for admission to Corporate Membership. These changes were intended to standardise the training of practicing graduate engineers in Barbados and to develop a framework which supports accessibility to career mentorship for all graduates.

Key to the standardisation of training is the attainment of 7 core competencies.

Mentorship

Core Competencies

Corporate Membership

What Are Core Competencies?

Graduate members of the BAPE must be able to develop engineering solutions within the parameters of commercial prudence, responsiveness to the environment, health & safety and welfare. Core Competencies are the standards for competence and confidence in these professional and social obligations.

Application of Engineering Knowledge, Methods and Techniques

This competency is about solving problems in a systematic way using appropriate theoretical and practical engineering principles.

How to Demonstrate

To demonstrate this competency, think of an engineering challenge that you have faced and describe how you solved it. What did you do? How did you do it? Why did you do it?

Key Indicators

  • Defines the engineering problem to be solved
  • Analyses relevant data
  • Identifies alternate solutions based on feasibility, technology and economic assessments
  • Develops the solution that best meets system requirements and specifications
  • Tests the solution to verify that it meets system requirements and specifications
  • Evaluates and verifies the practicality and effectiveness of the engineering solution in the environment for which it was designed

Use Engineering Tools, Equipment or Technology

This competency is about demonstrating that you can use appropriate engineering tools, equipment and technology to solve engineering problems.

How to Demonstrate

To demonstrate this competency, think of the engineering tools, equipment and technology that you have used and tell us why.

Key Indicators

  • Evaluates the reliability, effectiveness and limitations of available tools, equipment or technology for solving engineering problems.
  • Selects the appropriate tool, and equipment to solve engineering problems
  • Uses or directs the use of, the appropriate tool, equipment or technology to solve en gineering problems
  • Verifies that the tool, equipment or technology gave a valid result

Public Safety and Interest

This is the primary duty of Engineers—to safeguard life, health, property, economic interests and the environment. It involves adhering to legislation, regulation, codes, standards, being aware of the risks inherent in engineering work, and the short and long term impacts of engineering activities.

How to Demonstrate

To demonstrate this competency, think of all the engineering work that you do and its safety, risks and impacts—both positive and negative. Tell us about the risks and im pacts of the engineering work that you have been involved in: What they were? How did you consider them? What did you do?

Key Indicators

  • Adheres to all applicable legislation, regulations, codes, and standards.
  • Identifies the impacts of engineering activities, both positive and negative.
  • Ensures that the positive and negative impacts of engineering activities are assessed.
  • Assesses safety concerns and risks of engineering activities to identify hazards and potential harm.
  • Takes action to address safety concerns and mitigate risks.
  • Shares results of assessments with decision-makers.

Engineering Management

This competency is about demonstrating how the Engineer plans, organizes engineering activities, monitors progress and makes adjustments to complete work within constraints.

How to Demonstrate

To demonstrate this competency, think about the work that you are responsible for. How did you plan, organize and manage it, keeping records and people informed? What actions did you take and why did you take them?

Key Indicators

  • Seeks clarity of the assigned activities, including identification of constraints such as t ime, resources, quality or budget.
  • Develops a work plan to complete work within identified constraints.
  • Adjusts work plan to respond to changing circumstances that could pose a risk to completing assigned activities.
  • Keeps stakeholders informed of progress, obstacles and changes to the work plan.
  • Keeps records of engineering work and decisions

Communication Skills

This competency demonstrates how the Engineer effectively communicates engineering information verbally, graphically and in writing to their audience.

How to Demonstrate

To demonstrate this competency, think about a time that you communicated or received engineering information. Who was the audience? How did you communicate? How did you make sure that they understood you and that you understood them?

Key Indicators

  • Tailors communications to the audience.
  • Communicates engineering information graphically (formal or informal).
  • Communicates engineering information in writing.
  • Communications engineering information verbally.
  • Uses two-way communication to verify own understanding and the understanding of the intended audience.

Teamwork

This competency demonstrates how the Engineer shares information, knowledge and expertise with others, assist other team members when needed, consider the input of colleagues at all levels and builds consensus among team members.

How to Demonstrate

To demonstrate this competency, think about a time when you worked with a team. Tell us what you did with the team, why you took the actions you did and how you worked with the team to achieve the project goals.

Key Indicators

  • Shares information, knowledge and expertise with others.
  • Assists other team members when needed.
  • Considers the input of colleagues at all levels.
  • Builds consensus among team members.

Continuous Professional Development

This competency demonstrates how the engineer takes action to maintain and enhance proficiency in the practice of engineering activities by completing training courses, attending seminars and conferences to address gaps in knowledge, skills and abilities and keeps current with the dynamic nature of engineering.

How to Demonstrate

To demonstrate this competency, think about the new knowledge, skills and abilities you have acquired and why you sought those out. Tell us what you have done to stay current and knowledgeable in your field. Tell us about a time that you realized you needed to learn more, and how you did it. Any learning that was required for you to perform better in your job can be included here, but you must explain how it relates to your engineering work.

Key Indicators

  • Takes action to address gaps in knowledge, skills and abilities.
  • Analyses relevant data