APEGA's Work Readiness Program

This brand-new program for students and members-in-training (M.I.T.s) will help you develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prepare you for the workplace and to become a professional.  

Illustration of two gears - one with a plant growing inside of it and the other with shaking hands inside of it

New for May 2024 - Mentorship!

Members-in-training enrolled in the Work Readiness Program can now request to be matched with a mentor that will help guide you through your professional membership application. Browse through our list of professionals to find a volunteer with the skills and experience you are looking for.

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What is the Work Readiness Program and who it is for? 

This free brand-new program for students and members-in-training (M.I.T.s) will help you develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prepare you for the workplace and to become a professional.  

Tailor the program to expand your expertise in the following areas:  

  • A red hexagon containing an illustration of a brain with a gear inside of it. 'Technical Competence' is printed below the illustration.
    Technical competence*
  • A red hexagon with an illustration of a pixelated computer cursor. 'Digital Literacy' is printed below the illustration.
    Digital literacy 
  • An orange hexagon containing an illustration of one person leading another up a mountain. 'Inclusive Leadership' is printed below the illustration.
    Inclusive leadership 
  • An orange hexagon containing an illustration of a bar-and-line chart. 'Project Management' is printed below the illustration.
    Project and financial management  
  • A blue hexagon with an illustration of two speech bubbles overlapping. 'Communication' is printed below the illustration.
    Communication   
  • A blue hexagon containing an illustration of a series of circles connected by lines to suggest interconnected pulleys and belts. 'Team Effectiveness' is printed below the illustration.
    Team effectiveness  
  • A blue hexagon containing an illustration of two hands in a hand-shake grip together. 'Professional Accountability' is printed below the illustration.
    Professional accountability 
  • A green hexagon containing an illustration of a plant sprout inside of a gear. 'Sustainability & Governance' is printed below the illustration.
    Social, economic, environmental, and governance 

*Currently tailored for engineering students and engineers-in-training. The geoscience aspect of the program is in development. Geoscience students can still participate in the program, as many aspects of the program are interdisciplinary. 

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The Work Readiness Program Format

Designed to fit your schedule, this program is self-directed and can be completed at your own pace.  You select learnings that interest you and align with the eight areas of competency (listed above). For each competency, you will: 

  • acquire knowledge through resources like podcasts, YouTube videos, and books. Don’t forget to factor in what you’re already learning in your university courses!
  • apply that knowledge by putting everything you learned into practice at work, through an extracurricular activity, or at an APEGA University Outreach event.
  • consolidate your learning through conversations with your peers, a coach, an adviser, or a mentor.  

  • Enhance your education, learn new skills, develop your knowledge, and redefine attitudes that will serve you in your academic career and help you to transition to your professional career. 

    Take your skills above and beyond what you learn in university and use the Work Readiness Program to help you prepare for the workforce, give yourself an edge over the competition, and be able to market yourself as a more well-rounded candidate. 

  • There are four levels, and each level has a minimum number of competencies that must be completed before you can graduate to the next level. Earn a completion certificate for each level.

    You can start at the level you feel is most appropriate based on your experience. Here is a guideline based on your year of study:

    • Foundational: undergraduate year 1 to year 2
    • Novice: undergraduate year 2 to year 3
    • Intermediate: undergraduate year 4+, graduate year 1, first-year M.I.T.s
    • Advanced: graduate level any year, M.I.T.s

     

    APEGA University Outreach will help answer questions regarding potential learning sources, but ultimately how you wish to fulfil the requirements is up to you.

  • The Work Readiness Program is designed to be completed at your own pace. Each level requires a different number of learning modules to be completed, but we estimate that you should only be spending 60–90 hours per level, an average of two hours per week (two episodes of your favourite TV show). There is no time limit for completing the program.

  • Once you apply to be in the program, you will be provided with a digital passport to track your progress through each level. After completing the knowledge and skills components of a competency for the level you are working on, you will be asked to submit a form outlining what you have learned and how you have applied it or will apply it in your academic or professional career.

  • Once you are part of the Work Readiness Program you have access to mentoring opportunities. Choose from a list of professionals that can help guide you through your professional membership application. Check out the Mentoring Cafe page.

    Disclaimer: this does not guarantee your application will be approved.

  • Many aspects of the program are interdisciplinary and can be applied to either program stream. If you would like to begin the program now, we suggest leaving technical competencies for last.

  • Yes, you need to be enrolled in an engineering or geoscience program at university or be an M.I.T. to participate. You will need to provide proof of enrolment or your APEGA ID number to sign up.

The Work Readiness Program - Office Hours

The Work Readiness Program team is delighted to unveil our latest initiative – Office Hours.  These 15-minute appointments are specifically designed to address any queries you may have regarding the Work Readiness Program. We invite you to book your appointment here. 

WRP Appointment Booking

Please kindly note that Office Hours are exclusively dedicated to addressing questions related to the Work Readiness Program. Regrettably, we are unable to provide assistance with registration processes or application progress inquiries.

We look forward to engaging with you during these office hours and providing valuable insights into the APEGA Work Readiness Program. 

Questions? Contact [email protected].