Media Release

For Release:
March 11, 2021

ENGINEERS YUKON ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE CHANGES TO ITS CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Engineers Yukon is pleased to announce landmark changes to our Continuing Professional Development Program. Effective January 1, 2021, members can claim up to 20 CPD hours per year for performing caregiving tasks that are within the scope of our definition at a rate of one CPD hour for every 15 hours of caregiving.

Engineers Yukon is leading the way with this change. It marks a significant step towards meeting the Canada-wide goal of increasing the number of newly-licensed engineers who are women to 30% by 2030.

Engineers who are caregivers develop skills that both enhance the profession and serve the public interest. Caregiving is a way of putting yourself at the service of others and society in general, which are core beliefs of our Code of Ethics. Caregiving also enhances the protection of the public through the development of empathy and broader understanding of the needs of others. Caregivers practice time management, conflict resolution, negotiating and compromising, communication with authorities, all skills that are relevant to the engineering profession.

The CPD program acknowledges the value of caregiving within our profession and society. While any person can claim the CPD hours, this change will have the biggest impact on women who often have a more significant caregiving role. Acknowledging the diverse caregiving experience, Engineers Yukon has defined caregiving tasks to include the following:

• Acting on behalf of a person within the medical, education, financial or other system;
• Providing physical care for a person including transportation to go shopping, meal preparation, housework and/or assistance with outdoor work;
• Providing personal or medical care for a person including help with taking a bath, getting dressed, using the toilet, changing dressings or taking medications;
• Managing a person’s care or finances; or
• Being directly responsible for the care and upbringing of a child under 18 years of age.

This modification is the first of its kind in our profession in Canada and affirms that our profession values the skills and contributions gained while caring for others. Engineers Yukon is proud to make this change for the benefit of our members and the wider community, and is grateful for the efforts of the Continuing Professional Development Committee and the 30 by 30 Committee in the development of these changes.

For more information contact:
Alison Anderson, P.Eng.
Member, Continuing Professional Development and 30 by 30 Committees
Email: staff@engineersyukon.ca

See the full media release Here.