Since the 1960s, our Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Program has been bringing top-quality engineers into the BC Public Service.
This succession planning and employee development program strategically considers forecasted vacancies and attrition within the engineering field and provides a detailed comprehensive training plan to develop qualified engineers.
EITs are hired into permanent positions and are under-implemented until they obtain their professional designation and demonstrate that they have met all of the requirements to perform at the full working level.
The 5-year program provides participants with early-career opportunities to experience the diversity of the Ministry in a series of challenging assignments.
Working under the mentorship of a professional engineer, EITs follow a comprehensive training plan that guides them through onboarding, training, and clearly identifies competencies required in order to achieve the level of complexity, knowledge and experience required to qualify for their professional designation, as well as meet the competencies required of the ministry.
Finally, it offers flexibility to work at several locations before determining where the EITs talents best suit our business needs.
In 2016 the Ministry became an accredited employer with Engineering and Geoscientists of British Columbia. Participating EITs are registered on the employer’s recommendation, and their applications are expedited through the low-risk pathway towards professional registration.
Program participation also provides opportunities for continued professional development for engineers through mentor and assessor roles. Mentors and assessors are provided with a number of tools and resources to support them in understanding competency requirements to validate and assess an EITs work experience.
The program also partners with EGBC to identify assessors that review professional applications from EITs outside of the Ministry, supporting Canada’s transportation community.
The Ministry has seen very successful retention rates of EITs that graduate out of the program and often become mentors for future EITs.
Participants value innovation and creativity. Working together, this program allows for contribution to improved practices in the overall transportation community. The program also creates an opportunity to bring awareness to important issues surrounding diversity and inclusion including genderbased analysis plus, and guide our journey towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
