Comparing Canadian and International Engineering Offices:

1. Engineering in Canadian and International OfficesPresented at Annual General Meeting of Society of Internationally Trained Engineers (S.I.T.E.)March 14, 2009

2. Comparing Canadian and International Engineering Offices: • Engineering Processes and Practices • Engineering Organizations • Engineering Projects • Current Employment Market • Getting Hired [Document Footer]

3. Engineering Processes and Practices;What is the Same?

4. Engineering Processes Similar Worldwide • Training of engineers is similar • Calculation and analysis processes based on internationally-accepted procedures • International standards govern most engineering design at a high level • Processes used for project execution are similar [Document Footer]

5. Engineering Processes • Engineering documentation similar except for language (drawings, specifications, data sheets, lists and schedules of equipment, etc.) • International companies lead the development of standard presentation methods • Similar software used worldwide There are more differences in engineering processes and documentation between industries than across the world [Document Footer]

6. Engineering Processes and Practices;What is Different?

7. Engineering Practices Vary Worldwide and within North America Because: • Canadian & BC Building/Fire/Plumbing/Gas Codes: • Reflects climate, type of construction, construction methods, materials available • Canadian Standards: CSA, ULC, CGSB, CISC • Canadian construction methods: • Reflect high field labour costs and low efficiency vs. shop labour • Reflect cold weather construction requirements • Reflect remote location construction [Document Footer]

8. Different Metric Practices Apply for Each Client and Site • There is mixed adoption of metric dimensions and units • US Influence has slowed adoption of metric dimensions and standards • Most equipment is from US and has imperial/US fasteners and piping connections • Limited availability of metric equipment and supplies as a result • Many companies still use imperial/US dimensions and units [Document Footer]

9. Engineering Organizations in Canada vs. International Locations

10. Organizations Hiring Engineers are Similar • Engineering Consultants: • Large international and national consultants • Smaller regional and local engineering firms • Small specialist firms • Construction and EPC firms • Manufacturers • Resource Industries • Utilities (electric, gas, water, etc.) [Document Footer]

11. Engineering Consultants • Flatter organization structure – fewer levels of management • Less differentiation between departments and often multi-discipline project teams sit together as opposed to remaining in department offices • Generally matrix organizations used with engineers reporting in two directions – to project manager and to discipline/department manager [Document Footer]

12. Matrix Organization Structure General Management Project Manager 1 Project Manager 2 Project Manager 3 Civil/Struct. Eng. Manager • Project 1 Team: • Engineers • Designers • Drafters • Estimators • Schedulers • Purch Agent • Const Supvr • Field Eng • Other Staff • Project 2 Team: • Engineers • Designers • Drafters • Estimators • Schedulers • Purch Agent • Const Supvr • Field Eng • Other Staff • Project 3 Team: • Engineers • Designers • Drafters • Estimators • Schedulers • Purch Agent • Const Supvr • Field Eng • Other Staff Mech/Piping Eng. Manager Elect/Instrument Eng. Manager Project Services Mgr. Construction Services Mgr. [Document Footer]

13. Engineering Consultants • Many have a broad range of services • Less specialization of expertise by companies • Typically fewer employees in each company and office • Some have many branch offices with a few staff in each office [Document Footer]

14. Engineering Organizations • Organizations less “formal” • Smaller status gaps between managers and engineers • Smaller status gaps between engineers and designers • More relaxed behaviour in offices • No need to stand up immediately every time the boss comes around except for politeness • Many offices have relaxed dress codes [Document Footer]

15. Engineering Organizations • Engineers typically given wider latitude and flexibility to get work done • More individual accountability to other workers for performance rather than only to direct supervisor • The onus is on the engineers and project managers to get the job done right, and on time • Less of the “blame game” Fewer clerical and other support staff (secretaries, administrators, kitchen staff, drivers, etc.) • Engineers do more work directly than in an international office (less staff to delegate to) • Less academic approach to engineering design with more emphasis on using practical proven design [Document Footer]

16. Multi-Cultural Offices • Most offices have a broad range of people from all over the world • Need to understand the multicultural principles of Canadian society • Learn how to associate with people who have much different cultural backgrounds • Less requirement for “cultural assimilation” than in the US [Document Footer]

17. Health, Safety and Environment • More emphasis on health, safety and environment in the workplace, at the construction site and in the community • More rules apply and the regulating authorities enforce them [Document Footer]

18. Engineering Projects

19. Engineering Projects • Relatively more “design only” projects in Canada than EPC projects • More detailed design provided by technologists and technicians • More detailed design work is provided by vendors and contractors • Less paperwork and more electronic communications for projects • Large consulting firms are making more use of engineering services from developing countries or “value engineering centres” • More competence and professionalism in the construction trades (electricians, carpenters, etc.) • Less requirement for constant supervision of construction workforce [Document Footer]

20. Current Engineering Employment Market

21. Market Downturn since Q3/2008 • Mining and Forest industries have collapsed • Major oil and pipeline projects in Alberta have been cancelled or delayed • 2010 Olympics projects in BC are largely completed • Project funding has dried up as a result of the financial situation [Document Footer]

22. Some Good News • Government is funding “shovel ready” capital projects (highways, bridges, sewage treatment plants, power generation, etc.) • Maintenance of business projects seem to be continuing • Canadian dollar decline is helping export industries to meet their local costs [Document Footer]

23. Overall • A few layoffs at BC Engineering Companies from job cancellations • Some layoffs for upgrading of staff • Very limited hiring is occurring • Supply of skilled and experienced staff has improved from 2008 [Document Footer]

24. Getting Hired

25. Finding Work • Internationally trained engineers will have difficulty getting hired • Catch 22 effect: cannot be hired because of a lack of Canadian experience, and cannot get Canadian experience because cannot get hired. • Good supply of engineers with Canadian experience in the market • International training and experience will be under valued by employers • University training may not be recognized in Canada • Professional qualifications will likely not be recognized in Canada • Nature of international experience may not be understood and, in fact, may be different than local experience • Language skills and technical English are very important and can block hiring [Document Footer]

26. Finding Work – Finding Openings • Newspaper advertising for job openings is limited • Most jobs are now advertised on internet employment websites, e.g. APEGBC, Workopolis, Monster, Craigslist, etc. • Significant percentage of hiring is through referrals (word-of-mouth) • Most companies have a website with online employment applications – many jobs listed are not current [Document Footer]

27. Finding Work – Good Resume Essential • Resume is very important in getting an interview and being hired • Layout, length, English language usage and spelling, use of correct technical terminology and description of experience is extremely important • Electronic version of resumes preferred—paper resumes sometimes not accepted • Make sure that if you are using Microsoft Word that you know how to use the software [Document Footer]

28. Finding Work – Company Referrals • Most companies have an internal referral system for recruiting • If you know anyone at a company let them know you are interested in working • They can earn a fee if you get hired and they refer you [Document Footer]

29. Finding Work – Types of Positions • Full-time employment • Term employment: • Project assignment (4 months to 3 years) • Agency employment • Part-time or casual employment • Direct hired or through Agency • Contract: • Must have own registered company • No benefits • Additional time and costs to operate company [Document Footer]

30. Hiring for Temporary & Project Positions • Temporary hiring for projects is common • Provides limited employment security and benefits, e.g. short termination notice and few benefits • Does provide local experience • Employment Agencies often provide “payrolling” services • Agencies include Local and National firms that specialize in supplying project workforce [Document Footer]

31. Employment Standards and Policies • Need to understand BC Employment Standards Act • Governs employment conditions in BC • It does not apply once you become a professional or manager or if you are a “contractor” • Strict policies for discrimination and harassment [Document Footer]

32. Salary Rates • Salary is dependent on position, skills and market conditions • Larger companies have recommended salary ranges for different positions and levels • See the APEGBC website for salary survey information [Document Footer]

33. Benefits • Most medium and large engineering companies have a competitive benefits program for employees • Benefits other than the minimum required by Employment Standards Act are not provided for temporary employment • Limited benefits are provided to Agency employees • No benefits are provided to contract employees [Document Footer]

34. RRSP, Pension and Bonuses • Pensions are not common in engineering except for government or large manufacturing companies • Companies will contribute to RRSP, which is portable and can move with you • Company Profit Sharing and Bonuses vary widely: • Not commonly available except for managers and very senior technical positions • Some Project Bonuses on major projects [Document Footer]

35. Value of Professional Registration • Professional registration is not required, but provides more opportunity for growth and future income • P.Eng. will provide more opportunities for employment as you can take responsibility for work • Salary scale is normally higher with a P.Eng. • P.Eng. application process can take a long time to complete, so start early • See the APEGBC website for information on registration process [Document Footer]

36. Introduction to CH2M HILL

37. Company Overview Employee-owned CH2MHILL is a global firm providing engineering, construction, operations, and related technical services to public and private clients. • We were founded in 1946 and headquarteredin Denver, Colorado • Our work is concentrated in the areas of transportation, water, energy, environment, communications, construction, andindustrial facilities • We have long been recognized as a leading employer and admired company • In 2003, 2006, and 2008 FORTUNE named CH2MHILL among its “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” • For the past five years FORTUNE named CH2MHILL one of “America’s Most Admired Companies” [Document Footer]

38. Baxter New Providence, NJ Rocky Flats Golden, CO Manukau Waste Water Treatment Plant Auckland, New Zealand Rohm & Hasas Chemical Plant Buenos Aires, Argentina About Us CH2M HILL is a global leader in full-serviceengineering, consulting, construction,and operations • We seek to be the industry leader in successfully delivering challenging projects, enabling our clients to build a better world. • We have the human and technical resources, the international footprint, and the depth of know-how and experience to help our clients achieve success in any corner of the world • We are the only engineer-procure-construct (EPC) company that offers this wide spectrum of expertise, knowledge, and services across varied industries and government agencies [Document Footer]

39. Where We Are Today As a global leader in full-service engineering, construction, and operations, CH2M HILL strives to create solutions without boundaries, to overcome the barriers to breakthrough success—for every client, on every project, every time. • More than 24,000 professional staff operating from locations worldwide • 100 percent employee owned • Broadly diversified across 13 business sectors • $5.12 billion in revenue (2007) [Document Footer]

40. Employee Ownership • CH2M HILL’s employees own 100% of the firm, and many employees actively participate in the internal stock market • Employee ownership and financial stability promote • High staff motivation • Strong commitment to clients • Low staff turnover • Continuity in work for repeat clients • Focus on long-term goals and strategies [Document Footer]

41. CH2M HILL Resources in BC • Staffing: • Energy & Chemicals 110 • Transportation, Water & Environment 140 • Commonwealth Construction 30 • Offices: • Burnaby (2 offices), Victoria and Kamloops Engineering and construction services for projects within British Columbia, across Canada, and around the world. [Document Footer]

42. Markets Served by the Vancouver E&C Office • Natural gas processing plants and sulfur plants • Compressor stations, pump stations and metering stations • Pipelines and storage terminals • Petroleum marketing distribution terminals and service stations • Power generation and steam production facilities • Electrical utilities • Chemical production, storage and distribution • Pulp and paper mills • General industrial facilities • Research and high technology facilities [Document Footer]

43. Our Clients We have a diverse array of clients in many industries including: [Document Footer]

44. What Makes Our Office a Great Place to Work? • Family culture • Healthy work / life balance • Social activities • Community involvement • Move for Health activities [Document Footer]

45. Questions