Unlocking the RPEQ pathway

In the last year, the Board registered more than 2,000 new RPEQs in the RPEQ directory.

To register engineers, the Board relies on ten assessment entities, which assess engineers' qualifications and competency to ensure they qualify for registration. In the coming months, we'll talk to RPEQ assessors at our assessment entities to help demystify the registration process for our RPEQs.

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia Queensland and Northern Territory (IPWEAQ) is an approved assessment entity for civil engineers seeking registration.

Recently, the Board’s Communications and Engagement Manager, Jeremy Bishop, sat down with IPWEAQ’s Director of Information Services, Mark Lamont, to discuss their assessment entity process and provide tips for civil engineers seeking registration.

JB: Mark, thanks for taking a bit of time to discuss IPWEAQ’s civil engineering assessment process. Can you give a general overview of IPWEAQ’s RPEQ assessment process??

ML: I'm happy to. I would imagine IPWEAQ’s assessment process may be a bit more personalised than other assessment entities. We assess civil engineers only, and most of the engineers coming through our process are our members – so often, the first step is one of our members recommending a civil engineer reach out to me to learn more about our process.

When that happens, I will usually recommend they email me directly with a lot of their documentation. I’ll take a preliminary look and can pick up any areas of concern and potentially save an applicant money and heartache.

Once I’ve reviewed the application, the engineer should formally apply through our RPEQ assessment portal online.?

JB: Once an engineer is ready to apply, what does that process look like?

ML: The engineer submits their application through the RPEQ assessment portal. As part of the assessment, the engineer will provide:

• Personal details
• Evidence of a four-year engineering degree from a Washington Accord University
• Evidence of four years post-graduate experience working directly under the supervision of a RPEQ, with RPEQ contact details
• Record their CPD hours, including 150 hours in the three years leading up to the application
• Information on their areas of competencies, including a statement of competence where they will answer five or six questions about the highlights and disappointments of their career, and talk about the work they have done
• Three referee statements and referee contact details
• IPWEAQ also asks for two to three work samples from across their careers to help our assessors better understand their skills and competencies and demonstrate their engineering judgement.

Their submissions require considerable detail, but IPWEAQ takes the process seriously—being registered protects the public and the engineering profession.

JB: Once the application is submitted what happens next?

ML: Once I confirm that the application submitted has the necessary details, I will then seek out three assessors to review the application.? Civil engineering is a large area– so I seek out assessors who have expertise in the civil engineer’s area of competency. For instance, if someone’s area of competency is stormwater and drainage, I will make sure that those assessing that application are experts in the field.

Once the assessors are confirmed, I work with them to find a time that is mutually agreeable for them to interview the candidate. With busy schedules, that can be one of the toughest parts of the process! Sometimes these interviews are held in person, but Queensland is a big state, and sometimes the applicant might be in Mt Isa while our assessors are in Rockhampton or Gladstone, in those instances, I will set up an online meeting.

Before the interview, the candidate will receive questions the assessors plan on asking (and the assessors will ask additional questions as well), and then the interview takes place.

Our assessors are very thorough and take their jobs seriously, they will ask questions – and if they don’t receive enough information, they will seek additional information or ask for clarification.

I transcribe the interview and confirm its accuracy with the assessors. I also do a referee check for the three referees.? The assessors will then make a decision on whether to recommend the candidate for registration.

If they do, I then prepare a letter of approval which means the candidate is now able to go to the Board and apply for registration.

JB: Does anyone review the work of the assessment panels??

ML: Yes, before we send the letter of approval to the candidate, we have one final check. The assessment panel's recommendation is then sent to our RPEQ Assessment Board. Eight people sit on the assessment board, all experts in their field. They review the candidate and the assessment panel’s recommendation and, assuming everything is in check, will confirm that I can send the candidate a letter for approval.

JB: In your role, I’m sure you have reviewed many applications. Are there any common pitfalls or mistakes you see candidates make?

ML: First, please make sure you include all the documents we require. If you leave one or two off, I will need to contact you again to seek additional information, which slows the process.

Next, you need to have proof of 150 hours of CPD. Also, be prepared to explain how those CPD hours enhance your professional development, not just that I went to this conference, and it’s 20 hours. Tell us what you learned in the conference.

Finally, make sure your referees are informed and contactable. If your referees are difficult to get in contact with, it will slow down the process. The RPEQ to be will not get a letter of outcome until I have spoken to those 3 referees!?

JB: How much does it cost to apply for assessment?

ML: Assessment through IPWEAQ is $700 for non-members and $400 for members.

JB: How long does IPWEAQ’s assessment process take on average?

That’s a tricky one and there’s no concrete answer because there are so many variables with each applicant.

Sometimes I’ve managed to turn them around in two weeks from their interviews, but that is rare. Some may drag on for eight weeks, if referees are hard to contact or information is missing. But I believe the average is approximately four to five weeks – but when we can get them done even sooner – all the better!

ML: Any final thoughts on the assessment process?

ML: For IPWEAQ, engineering assessment is one of the most essential services we offer. We take the assessment process seriously and I encourage every engineer who applies to take it seriously as well.

On a personal note, it is a pleasure to watch engineers rise throughout their careers. I can remember talking to graduate engineers whom I have helped with their assessments, who became RPEQs, and who were appointed to increasingly senior roles. It's even better to see those engineers rise and then actually experience their work as I travel around Queensland.

Some days I can travel over a bridge or road and say I know the RPEQ who engineered this. I love that part of my job!

Thanks, Mark, for taking a moment to talk to us about the IPWEAQ RPEQ assessment process. For more information about the process, please visit the IPWEAQ website. For more information about other assessment entities that provide RPEQ assessments, please visit the BPEQ website.