2014 Final Year Engineering Student Survey - Atlantic Report Conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of...

2014 Final Year Engineering Student Survey - Atlantic ReportConducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Engineers Canada

May 2014

ATLANTIC Table of Contents

Research Objectives 3

Methodology 4

Key Highlights 6

Executive Summary 7

Future Plans 11

Intention to Apply for Licensure 17

Licensing Knowledge 28

Knowledge of Association of Professional Engineers 34

Knowledge of Professional Engineers Act 37

Appetite for Career Assessment Tool 40

Demographics 45

Additional Analysis: Impact on Intention to Pursue

Attendance at Workshop/Seminar49

Knowledge of PEA 52

Knowledge of Licensing and Roles55

Knowledge of Organizational Responsibility 58

2

ATLANTIC Research Objectives

The primary objective of this research is to understand the reasons why graduates of CEAB accredited engineering programs at Atlantic universities do or do not intend to apply for their licence.

In order to achieve this objective, the research seeks to understand the following: The future career and/or education plans of final year engineering

students; The percentage of final year engineering students who intend to pursue a

career in Engineering and the percentage who intend to apply for their P.Eng licence;

Final year engineering students’ level of knowledge of the Professional Engineers Act of their province.

3

ATLANTIC Methodology

The online survey was conducted between January 27 to March 14, 2014 with final year engineering students.

All university Faculties of Engineering with CEAB accredited programs were invited to participate in the study and were asked to send the online survey to all final year engineering students registered in their Engineering program.

The link to the online survey was sent to the universities and each school was requested to send the survey link to all qualified students on January 27, 2014.

The survey was offered in both English and French.

A total of 39 universities participated in the research and 2,046 students completed the survey. Within Atlantic provinces specifically, 4 schools participated and a total of n=154 students completed the survey.

The margin of error for this study (n=154) is ± 8.0%, 19 times out of 20.

4

ATLANTIC Methodology (cont’d)

For certain questions, the base size was too low to include in reporting. These include:

Q16, Q17 and Q18 (only n=3 responded to these questions)

Q23 (only n=3 responded to this question)

Please note: base sizes under n=30 are considered very small and should be interpreted with caution

5

ATLANTIC Key Highlights

Compared to last year, we have observed little statistically significant movement in terms of students’ intentions to pursue a career in engineering or to apply for licensure.

There has however been a slight softening of definite intentions to pursue a career in engineering, however overall intentions remain strong. We have also noticed the opposite in terms of intentions to apply for licensure with a directional increase in definite intentions. These measures will be important to watch moving forward to see if the incremental movement observed this year develops into a trend.

While virtually all students continue to report they are likely (definitely/ probably) to pursue a career in engineering (98% vs. 98% in 2013), directionally fewer students definitely will than in the past (76% down from 83% last year).

Overall, two thirds (66%) of final year engineering students are at least probably likely to apply for licensure, unchanged over the past year (68% in 2013), however the proportion who are definitely likely has increased slightly versus 2013 (45% vs. 40%).

There has also been some declines in terms of students’ knowledge regarding the engineering profession year over year. Compared to 2013, we notice an increase in those students’ who have a low level of knowledge regarding licensing and roles within the profession (8% vs. 2% in 2013), however the vast majority continue to have a high or moderate level of knowledge (90% vs. 94%).

Specifically, there has been a directional decline in the proportion of students who know that a licence is required to perform engineering work independently (87% vs. 92% in 2013).

6

ATLANTIC Executive Summary

Future Intentions: Continuing Education Versus Entering Workforce More than eight in ten (85%) final year engineering students say they intend to go into the workforce after

graduating with their bachelors degree in Engineering, while one in ten (9%) students intend to pursue more education.

Of those who intend on pursuing more education, the vast majority (n=12) plan to pursue a graduate degree in engineering. Due to very small base sizes, results should be interpreted with caution.

Among those students who plan to pursue more education, New Brunswick is mentioned most often as their preferred location for further studies, followed by Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Future Intentions: Engineering Career Virtually all students (98%) say they are likely to pursue a career in engineering, three quarters definitely will

(76%) while slightly more than two in ten probably will (22%). Very few students (2%) probably will not pursue a career in engineering, while none indicate they definitely will not.

Over nine in ten (94%) students say that when they began their studies they planned to practice engineering upon completion of their program. Two thirds of students began their undergraduate studies with a definite intention to pursue an engineering career (64%), while three in ten said it was likely (31%).

7

ATLANTIC Executive Summary (continued)

Future Intentions: Engineering Career (continued) Consistent with the overall level, over nine in ten students who intend to pursue a career in engineering say

they were definitely (65%) or likely (31%) to pursue a career in the engineering field when they began their studies. Fewer than one in ten (4%) say they originally intended to pursue an alternate career.

Future Intentions: Pursue Licensure More than four in ten of all students (45%) indicate that they definitely intend to apply for licensure, while

nearly two in ten (21%) say they probably will. One quarter of students are unlikely to apply, of which nearly two in ten probably won’t (16%), while fewer than one in ten definitely won’t apply (7%). One in ten don’t know (11%). Of those students who specifically plan to pursue an engineering career, 46% indicate they definitely will

and 21% probably will pursue their licence, nearly identical to overall levels. Of those who do not intend to immediately pursue their licence, nine in ten indicate that they probably or

definitely will apply for licensure sometime down the road (91%), while one in ten do not foresee themselves applying in the future (9%). Due to very small base sizes, results should be interpreted with caution.

Once told that a licence is required to legally refer to yourself as an engineer and practice as an engineer, the vast majority (n=13) of those who originally did not plan to pursue their licence now indicate they are definitely or probably likely to do so. Due to very small base sizes, results should be interpreted with caution.

8


Future Intentions: Pursue Licensure (continued) Of those who intend to pursue their licence, seven in ten students plan to do so within one year (69%), of which

half will do so within six months (52%). Slightly more than one in ten intend to apply after a year (15%) or remain undecided (16%).

Among those students who plan to wait at least a year to apply for licensure or are unsure, virtually all (n=44) cite the desire for required work experience as the reason for the delay or uncertainty. Upon learning that the fee for the first year of the Engineering-in-Training [EIT] program can be waived if

they apply within six months of graduation, over nine in ten (95%) say they are at least likely to apply within a 6 month timeframe.

Knowledge of Engineering Profession At eight in ten (83%), the vast majority of students know that engineering is regulated by legislation, while one in

ten believe it is not and 7% are unsure. Students’ knowledge of the Professional Engineers Act of their respective province is varied, four in ten students

report having a fair amount (38%) or just a little knowledge (43%) about the Professional Engineers Act, while 4% claim to know a lot about it. Only 4% say they have never heard of the Act.

Nine in ten students know that a licence is required to perform engineering work independently (87%) while seven in ten know it is needed to use the title ‘Engineer’ (71%). Further, eight in ten know that it is not required to practice engineering work under the supervision of a P.Eng (80%).

9


Knowledge of Engineering Profession (continued) The vast majority of students are able to correctly identify that their respective provincial engineering

association is the organization responsible for licensing engineers (84%) and that it also regulates the practice of professional engineers (69%). Comparatively, nearly nine in ten students know that CEAB is the organization that accredits University engineering programs (87%).

Students are split however on which organization licences companies offering engineering services, half feel it is their respective provincial engineering association (48%), while one third believe it is CEAB (34%) and one quarter don’t know (25%).

Appetite for Career Assessment Tool At nine in ten (90%), the vast majority of students think it would have been very (48%) or somewhat helpful

(42%) to have had a tool in high school that would help determine if they would have been a good fit for engineering studies.

An identical proportion of students (90%) feel that a career assessment would be helpful, of which half indicate it would be very helpful (49%) and four in ten somewhat helpful (41%).

Most students feel that a career assessment tool would be most helpful in their 3rd year of school (41%), followed by around one quarter who mention either their 2nd year (25%) or 4th year (26%), while only one in ten mention 1st year (8%).

Only 1% of students report being aware of Engineers Canada’s Career Focus program.

10

Future Plans

11

ATLANTIC Plans After Graduation

12

86%

7%

7%

83%

8%

8%

Q12. Which of the following best describes your current plans after you graduate? Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)Q13. Which of the following best describes the education you plan to pursue? Base: Respondents who said “more education” in Q12, 2013 (n=12); 2014 (n=14)

Current Plans After Graduation Educational Intentions

Consistent with last year, over eight in ten students intend on going into the workforce after graduation, while one in ten plan to pursue more education.

Among those who plan to further their education, the vast majority (n=12) plan to pursue a graduate degree in engineering. Due to very small base sizes, results should be interpreted with caution.

Pursue a graduate degree in engineering

(n=12)

(n=10)

Pursue an MBA(n=1)

(n=1)

Pursue another professional degree

(n=1)

(n=1)

85%

9%

3%

84%

12%

2%

2013 2014

Go into the workforce

(n=131)(n=89)

Pursue more education

(n=14)

(n=13)

Don't know/Unsure

(n=5)

(n=2)

ATLANTIC Location of Anticipated Graduate Education

13

36%

21%

21%

7%

14%

25%

8%

25%

20132014

Q13B. Where do you plan to pursue graduate education? Base: Pursue more education after graduation – 2013 (n=12); 2014 (n=14)

Location of Graduate Intentions

Among those students who plan to pursue more education, New Brunswick is mentioned most often as their preferred location for further studies, followed by Nova Scotia and Ontario. Due to very small base sizes, results should be interpreted with caution.

New Brunswick(n=5)(n=3)

Nova Scotia(n=3)(n=1)

Quebec(n=3)(n=0)

Alberta(n=1)(n=0)

Don't know/ Unsure(n=2)(n=3)

ATLANTIC

Yes, I definitely will (n=117) (n=88)

Yes, I probably will (n=34) (n=16)

No, I probably won‘t (n=3) (n=2)

No, I definitely won't (n=0) (n=0)

Intention to Pursue Engineering Career

76%

22%

2%

83%

15%

2%

2014 2013

14

Q14. When you complete your education, do you plan to pursue a career in the engineering field? Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Do You Plan to Pursue a Career in the Engineering Field?

Virtually all students intend on pursuing a career in the engineering field after completing their education. Compared to last year, there has been a directional decline in the proportion of students who definitely intend to

pursue a career in engineering, off set by an increase in those who probably will.

No(Low 2 Box)

2014: 98%(n=151)

2013: 98%

(n=104)

2014: 2%(n=3)

2013: 2%

(n=2)

Yes(Top 2 Box)

ATLANTIC Career Plans When Studies Commenced

Over nine in ten students say that when they began their studies they planned to practice engineering upon completion of their program, of which nearly two-thirds definitely intended on doing so while three in ten said it was likely.

15

Q18. When you began your studies, did you plan to practice engineering when you completed your program? Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Did You Plan to Practice Engineering When You Began Your Studies?

64%

31%

5% 1%

69%

26%

5%0%

2014 2013Yes(Top 2 Box)

No(Low 2 Box)

Yes, definitely (n=98) (n=73)

Yes, it was likely (n=47) (n=28)

No, it was unlikely(n=7) (n=5)

No, I definitely did not (n=2) (n=0)

2014: 94%(n=145)

2013: 95%

(n=101)

2014: 6%(n=9)

2013: 5%

(n=5)

ATLANTIC Current and Prior Career Intentions (among students who intend to pursue a career in engineering)

At over nine in ten, virtually all students who intend on pursuing a career in engineering say they definitely or likely planned to do so when they began their studies.

16

Q18. When you began your studies, did you plan to practice engineering when you completed your program? Base: Students who intend to pursue a career in engineering 2013 (n=104); 2014 (n=151)

65%

31%

3% 1%

70%

26%

4% 0%

2014 2013

No(Low 2 Box)

Yes(Top 2 Box)

Yes, definitely (n=98) (n=73)

Yes, it was likely (n=46) (n=27)

No, it was unlikely (n=5) (n=4)

No, I definitely did not (n=2) (n=0)

2014: 96%(n=145)

2013: 96%

(n=100)

2014: 4%(n=7)

2013: 4%

(n=4)

Application Intentions for Professional Engineering

Licensure

17

ATLANTIC

45%

21%16%

7%11%

40%

28%

16%

9% 7%

2014 2013

Intention to Apply for Licensure

Nearly half of students (45%) indicate that they definitely intend to apply for licensure, while two in ten (21%) probably will. One quarter of students are unlikely to apply, of which 16% probably won’t and 7% definitely won’t apply, while 11% don’t know.

18

Q21. Do you intend to apply for licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)? Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Do You Intend To Apply for Licensure?

No(Low 2 Box)

Yes(Top 2 Box)





Don’t know/ Unsure (n=17) (n=7)

2014: 66%(n=102)

2013: 68%

(n=72)

2014: 23%(n=35)

2013: 25%

(n=27)

ATLANTIC

46%

21%

15%

7%11%

40%

29%

14%10%

7%

2014 2013

Intention to Apply for Licensure- Pursuing Engineering Career

Among those students who intend to pursue a career in engineering, close to half (46%) indicate that they definitely intend to apply for licensure, while a further two in ten (21%) say they probably will. One quarter of students are unlikely to apply for licensure, of which 15% probably won’t and 7% definitely won’t apply.

19

Q21. Do you intend to apply for licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)? Base: Respondents who intend to pursue a career in the engineering field 2013 (n=104); 2014 (n=151)

Do You Intend To Apply for Licensure?

No(Low 2 Box)

Yes(Top 2 Box)






2014: 67%(n=101)

2013: 69%

(n=72)

2014: 23%(n=34)

2013: 24%

(n=25)

ATLANTIC

Do You Ever Foresee Yourself Applying for Licensure?

69%

23%

9%

52%

30%

11%

0%7%

2014 2013

Foresee Applying in Future P.Eng.

20

Q22. Do you ever foresee yourself applying for licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)? Base: Respondents who said ‘no’ in Q21 2013 (n=27); 2014 (n=35)

Of those students who do not plan on –or- are not sure if they will apply for licensure, over nine in ten (91%) indicate that they probably or definitely will apply for licensure sometime down the road, while one in ten (9%) do not foresee themselves applying in the future. Due to very small base sizes, results should be interpreted with caution.

No(Low 2 Box)

Yes(Top 2 Box)






2014: 91%(n=32)

2013: 82%

(n=22)

2014: 9%(n=3)

2013: 11%

(n=3)

ATLANTIC Interest Once Told P.Eng. Licence is Required to Practice

55%

10%

20%15%

50%

17% 17%

8% 8%

2014 2013

21

Q24. Since a licence is required to legally refer to yourself as an engineer, or to practice as an engineer, do you plan to apply for your P.Eng. licence?

Base: Respondents who do not intend to apply for licensure or are not sure, 2013 (n=12); 2014 (n=20)

Given that a Licence is Required to Practice Engineering, Do You Intend to Apply?

Once told that a licence is required to legally refer to yourself as an engineer and practice as an engineer, two-thirds of those who originally did not plan or were unsure of their intentions now indicate they are definitely or probably likely to apply for licensure. Due to very small base sizes, results should be interpreted with caution.

No(Low 2 Box)

Yes(Top 2 Box)






2014: 65%(n=13)

2013: 67%

(n=8)

2014: 20%(n=4)

2013: 25% (n=3)

ATLANTIC Pre-Graduation Work Experience- 2014

22

Q33 Have you been able to obtain pre-graduation engineering work experience? Base: Respondents applied for license or Don't know/ Unsure (n=16)

Among those who didn’t immediately intend to apply but would do so after hearing it is required to practice, over four in ten have been able to obtain pre-graduation work experience, while slightly fewer have not and two in ten are not sure what qualifies.

Yes No Not sure if what I have done qualifies

44%

38%

18%

(n=35) (n=7) (n=13)

ATLANTIC Application Timeframe

52%

17% 15% 16%

50%

17% 14%20%

2014 2013

23

Apply Within 1 Year(Top 2 Box)

When Do You Plan to Apply for Licensure?

Q27. Do you intend to apply for licensure...? Base: Respondents who plan to apply for licensure, 2013 (n=102); 2014 (n=147)

Seven in ten students who intend to apply for licensure plan to do so within one year (69%), of which half think they will apply within six months of graduation (52%). Slightly more than one in ten intend to apply after a year (15%) or remain undecided (16%).

Within six months after graduation

(n=76) (n=51)

Within a year after graduation (n=25) (n=17)

More than a year after graduation

(n=22) (n=14)

Don't know/unsure (n=24) (n=20)

2014: 69%(n=101)

2013: 67%

(n=68)

ATLANTIC Reasons for Waiting to Apply

96%

2%

2%

0.82

20132014

24

Q28. Why do you intend to wait more than a year to apply for the P.Eng.? Base: Respondents who said >1yr or don’t know/unsure in Q27, 2013 (n=34); 2014 (n=46)

Why Do You Plan to Wait More Than a Year to Apply?

Among those students who plan to wait at least a year to apply for licensure or are unsure, virtually all cite the desire for required work experience as the reason for the delay or uncertainty. Due to small base sizes, results should be interpreted with caution.

I want to achieve the required experience before applying

(n=44)(n=28)

Little to no employment opportunities(n=1)(n=0)

Need more information about programs/ about applying

(n=1) (n=0)

ATLANTIC

Would you Apply Within 6 Month if Eligible to Have 1st Year EIT Fees Waived?

Very likely (n=41) (n=31)

Somewhat likely (n=26) (n=12)

Somewhat unlikely (n=1) (n=2)

Very unlikely (n=0) (n=2)

Don't know / Unsure (n=3) (n=4)

Impact of Waiving EIT Fees on Likelihood to Apply within Six Months

58%

37%

1%4%

61%

24%

4% 4%8%

2014 2013

25

Q29. If you knew that by applying for licensure in Ontario within 6 months of graduation you could be eligible to have the application and first year EIT program fees waived, how likely would you be to apply for licensure within that time frame? Base: Respondents who do not know or intend to apply for licensure in Ontario >6mths after graduation, 2013 (n=51); 2014 (n=71)

Likely(Top 2 Box)

Unlikely(Low 2 Box)

(n=81)

Upon learning that they could be eligible to have their first year EIT fees waived, nearly six in ten (58%) students who originally intended on waiting more than six months after graduation to apply say that they are very likely to do so within that timeframe. Nearly four in ten (37%) are somewhat likely to apply within six months, while only 1% are unlikely to apply (8%) in that timeframe, while 4% don’t know.

2014: 95%(n=67)

2013: 85%

(n=43)

2014: 1%(n=1)

2013: 8%

(n=4)

ATLANTIC Intended Country of Application

96%

11%

5%

3%

3%

96%

7%

4%

1%

6%

20132014

26

Q25. Where do you intend to apply for licensure? Base: Respondents who ever plan to apply for licensure, 2013 (n=102); 2014 (n=147)

Abroad

Where Do You Intend to Apply for Licensure?

Mentions may add to more than 100% as respondents were able to select more than one response

Nearly all final year engineering students (96%) who intend to apply for licensure plan to apply in Canada. One in ten also plan to apply in the US (11%) or abroad (8%).

Canada(n=141)

(n=98)

US(n=16)

(n=7)

Europe(n=7)(n=4)

Asia(n=5)(n=1)

Other(n=4)(n=6)

2014: 8%(n=12)

2013: 5%

(n=5)

ATLANTIC Province of Intended Licensure

46%

38%

28%

24%

23%

18%

11%

7%

6%

6%

4%

7%

35%

50%

11%

10%

23%

14%

8%

4%

8%

1%

1%

11%

20132014

27Q26. Please select the provinces and/or territories in which you intend on applying for licensure. Base: Respondents who plan to apply for licensure in Canada, 2013 (n=98); 2014 (n=141)

Around half of students who plan to apply for licensure intend to apply in Alberta (46%), followed by New Brunswick (38%). Closer to three in ten intend to apply in Nova Scotia (28%), while closer to one quarter indicate Ontario (24%) or Newfoundland/ Labrador (23%).

Compared to 2013, students are more likely to intend on applying in Nova Scotia, Ontario or the territories.

Alberta(n=65)(n=34)



Ontario(n=34)(n=10)

Newfoundland/ Labrador(n=33)(n=23)

British Columbia(n=26)(n=49)

Quebec(n=15)

(n=8)

Saskatchewan(n=10)

(n=4)

Prince Edward Island(n=9)(n=8)

Yukon/ Northwest Territories/Nunavut(n=8)(n=1)

Manitoba(n=6)(n=1)

Don't know/ Unsure(n=10)

(n=11)

Licensing Knowledge

28

ATLANTIC Engineering Regulated by Legislation

83%

10%7%

82%

13%

5%

2014 2013

29

Q5. As far as you know, is the practice of professional engineering regulated by legislation? Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Is the Practice of Engineering Regulated by Legislation?

At eight in ten (82%), the vast majority of students know that engineering is regulated by legislation, while one in ten believe it is not and 7% are unsure.

Yes (n=128) (n=87)

No (n=15) (n=14)


ATLANTIC Licensing for Roles within Engineering

Nearly nine in ten students know that a licence is required to perform engineering work independently (87%) while seven in ten know it is needed to use the title ‘Engineer’ (71%). Exactly eight in ten meanwhile know that it is not required to practice engineering work under the supervision of a P.Eng (80%).

30

Q8. As far as you know, is a licence required before being able to do the following in ... Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Is a Licence Required Before Being Able to Do the Following?

2014

2013

2014

2013

2014

2013

87%

92%

71%

72%

16%

14%

7%

4%

21%

19%

80%

78%

7%

5%

8%

9%

5%

8%

Yes No Don't Know / Unsure

Practice engineering work independently

Use the title 'Engineer'

Practice engineering work under the supervision of a

P.Eng.

ATLANTIC Knowledge of Licensing and Roles

51%39%

8%3%

51%43%

2% 4%

2014 2013

31

Q8. As far as you know, is a licence required before being able to do the following in .. Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Knowledge Levels DefinedHigh: All Correct (3) in Q8Moderate: 2 Correct in Q8Low: 1 Correct in Q8None: Zero (0) Correct in Q8

Knowledge Level of Engineering Practices Requiring a Licence

High/Moderate(Top 2 Box)

Little/None(Top 2 Box)

Nine in ten students have a moderate (39%) or high (51%) level of knowledge of when a licence is required to legally perform actions/ duties within the engineering profession. Comparatively, one in ten have either little (8%) or no knowledge (3%) on the subject.

Compared to 2013, there has been an increase in the proportion of students who have a low level of knowledge.

High (n=78) (n=54)

Moderate (n=60) (n=46)

Low (n=12) (n=2)

None (n=4) (n=4)

2014: 90%(n=138)

2013: 94%

(n=100)2014: 11%

(n=16)

2013: 6%

(n=6)

ATLANTIC Organizational Responsibilities – 2013 & 2014 The vast majority of students are able to correctly identify that their respective provincial engineering association

is the organization responsible for licensing engineers (84%) and that it also regulates the practice of professional engineers (69%). Comparatively, nearly nine in ten students know that CEAB is the organization that accredits University engineering programs (87%). Students are split however on which organization licences companies offering engineering services, half feel it is their respective provincial engineering association (48%), while one third believe it is CEAB (34%) and one quarter don’t know (25%).

Compared to 2013, students are less likely to believe CEAB licences companies offering engineering services but more likely to feel that organization promotes the interests of professional engineers.

32

2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013

8% 9%

48%52%

64% 69% 69% 74%84% 82%

87% 86%34% 60% 60%

46% 47% 36%16% 15%

9% 6%25%

16% 14% 12% 5% 8% 6% 5%

Respective Provincial Engineering Association CEAB Don't know/ Unsure

Which Organization is Responsible for Each of the Follow Activities?

Q9. Please indicate the organization responsible for each of the activities/ procedures listed below. Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Accredits University engineering programs

Licences companies offering engineering services to the public

Promotes the interests of professional engineers

Regulates the practice of Professional Engineering

Licences Professional Engineers

ATLANTIC Knowledge of Organizational Responsibility

32%

59%

5% 4%

36%

52%

8%4%

2014 2013

33

Knowledge Level of Organizational Responsibility within the Engineering Profession

Q9. Please indicate the organization responsible for each of the activities/ procedures listed below. Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

High/ Moderate(Top 2 Box)

Little/ None(Top 2 Box)

Nearly nine in ten students have either a high (32%) or moderate (59%) level of knowledge concerning organizational responsibilities of activities/ procedures relating to the engineering profession. One in ten have either a low level (5%) or no knowledge (4%) on the subject.

Knowledge Levels Defined High: All Correct in Q9 (4)Moderate: 2 or 3 Correct in Q9Low: 1 Correct in Q9None: All Incorrect (0) in Q9

High (n=49) (n=38)

Moderate (n=91) (n=55)

Low (n=8) (n=9)

None (n=6) (n=4)

2014: 91%(n=140)

2013: 88%

(n=93)

2014: 9%(n=14)

2013: 12%

(n=13)

Provincial Engineering Association

34

Attendance at seminar(s) and awareness of SMP program

ATLANTIC Attendance of Provincial Engineering Association Seminar

46%50%

5%

58%

39%

3%

2014 2013

35

Q11. Have you ever attended a workshop/ seminar/ talk given by a [PEGNL/Engineers PEI/Engineers NS/APEGNB/] representative? Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Ever Attend a [PEGNL/Engineers PEI/Engineers NS/APEGNB] Seminar?

Nearly half of students (46%) report having ever attended a seminar or workshop given by a representative from their respective provincial engineering association.

Yes (n=70) (n=62)

No (n=77) (n=41)


ATLANTIC Association with SMP

7%

23%

8%

63%

3%

26%

6%

65%

20132014

36

Q32. Which of the following best describes your association with the [PEGNL/Engineers PEI/Engineers NS/APEGNB/]’s Student Membership Program (SMP)? Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Aware(Top 3 Box)

Nearly four in ten students (38%) are aware of a Student Membership Program (SMP) offered by their respective provincial engineering association. Of which, 7% are current members, nearly one quarter have heard of it and are interested in becoming a member (23%) and 8% have heard of the program but are not interested in membership.

I am currently a member(n=10)

(n=3)

I've heard of it and am interested in becoming a member

(n=35)(n=28)

I've heard of it but am not interested in becoming a member

(n=12)(n=6)

I have never heard of it(n=97)(n=69)

2014: 38%(n=57)

2013: 35%

(n=37)

Professional EngineersAct

37

ATLANTIC Professional Engineers Act

4%

38%43%

11%

4%3%

43% 45%

7%2%

2014 2013

38

Q6. The practice of engineering is regulated by the Professional Engineers Act of [Newfoundland and Labrador/PEI/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick ]. Which of the following best describes how much you know about the Professional Engineers Act of [Newfoundland and Labrador/PEI/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick ]? Base: All respondents 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Familiar(Top 3 Box)

How Much Do You Know About the Professional Engineers Act of [Newfoundland and Labrador/PEI/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick]?

Over eight in ten students report being familiar with the Professional Engineers Act of their respective province. Four in ten report having a fair amount (38%) or just a little knowledge (43%) about the Professional Engineers Act, while 4% claim to know a lot about it. Only 4% say they have never heard of the Act.

A lot (n=6) (n=3)

A fair amount (n=59) (n=46)

Just a little (n=66) (n=48)

Heard of it, but know nothing about it

(n=17) (n=7)

Never heard of it (n=6) (n=2)

2014: 85%(n=131)

2013: 91%

(n=97)

ATLANTIC Professional Engineers Act (cont’d)

54%

27%

8%

5%

5%

53%

24%

11%

4%

4%

20132014

2014: 81%(n=106)

2013: 77%

(n=74)

39

Q7. Where did you first hear about the Professional Engineers Act of [Newfoundland and Labrador/PEI/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick ]? Base: Respondents who know about the Act 2013 (n=97); 2014 (n=131)

Where Did You First Hear About the Professional Engineers Act of [Newfoundland and Labrador/PEI/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick ]?

Mentions <4% are not shown

University prof or course

Eight in ten students heard about the Act through a university law and ethics course (54%) or a university professor or administrator (27%).

From a University Law & Ethics Course(n=71)(n=51)

From a University professor/administrator(n=35)(n=23)

From a professional engineer(n=10)(n=11)

From a PEO representative(n=7)(n=4)

From a family member or friend(n=6)(n=4)

Appetite for Career Assessment Tool

40

ATLANTIC Helpfulness of Engineering Fit Tool During High School

41

Q33E. Would it have been helpful in high school to have had a tool to help determine if you would be a good fit for engineering studies and for a successful career in engineering? Base 2014 n=154

At nine in ten, the vast majority of students think it would have been helpful to have had a tool in high school that would help determine if they would have been a good fit for engineering studies, of which half think it would have been very helpful.

(n=42)

Very helpful Somewhat helpful Not very helpful Not at all helpful

48%

42%

9%

1%

Helpful (Top 2 Box)

10%(n=15)

Not Helpful (Top 2 Box)

90%(n=139)

(n=74) (n=65) (n=14) (n=1)

ATLANTIC Career Assessment Tool- 2014

42

Q17a. Would a tool to help you decide if you should pursue a career in consulting, technical engineering, sales engineering, project management, academe, etc., be helpful to you? Base: All respondents 2014 (n=154)

Very helpful Somewhat helpful Not very helpful Not at all helpful

49%

41%

9%

1%

Similarly, nine in ten feel that a career assessment would be helpful, of which nearly half indicate it would be very helpful.

Not Helpful (Low 2 Box)

2014: 90%(n=138)

10%(n=16)

Helpful (Top 2 Box)

(n=75) (n=63) (n=14) (n=2)

ATLANTIC Career Assessment Tool- 2014

43

Q17b. At what stage in the engineering education process do you feel this career assessment tool would be most helpful? Base: All respondents 2014 (n=154)

1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year/graduation year

8%

25%

41%

26%

At four in ten, most students feel that a career assessment tool would be most helpful in their 3rd year of school, followed by around one quarter who mention either their 2nd year or 4th year, while only one in ten mention 1st year.

(n=12) (n=39) (n=63) (n=40)

ATLANTIC Intention to Pursue Engineering Career- 2014

44

Q17c. Are you aware that Engineers Canada has developed a new program called Career Focus which includes a tool that can assess your chances of success in engineering? Base: All respondents 2014 (n=154)

Only 1% report being aware of Engineers Canada’s Career Focus program.

Yes 1%

No 99%

Demographics

45

ATLANTIC

Parent(n=35)(n=21)

Other family member(n=29)(n=13)

Friend/ Acquintance(n=16)

(n=8)

Teacher(n=12)

(n=7)

Guidance Counsellor(n=2)(n=2)

Other(n=11)(n=4)

Inspiration for Pursuing Engineering

46

Q33B. Thinking back to before you began your current undergraduate program, would you say there was a particular individual(s) or role model(s) who inspired you to study engineering specifically? Base: All respondents, 2013 (n=106), 2014 (n=154) . Q33C. What was your relation to this person(s)? Base: Respondents who were inspired by someone to pursue engineering. 2013 (n=42), 2014 (n=76) Q33D. Please indicate the gender of each individual you selected. Base: Respondents who were inspired by someone to pursue engineering.

Nearly half of students indicate that a particular individual inspired them to enter engineering specifically. Of those who were inspired, almost half cite a parent as the individual who motivated them while four in ten mention another family member and two in ten a friend/ acquaintance or a teacher.

The vast majority indicate that it was a male who inspired them.

(n=42)

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

94%

6%

93%

3%

81%

19%

50%

33%

100%

100%

95%

5%

69%

31%

100%

100%

100%

100%

2013

2014

40%

49%

46%

38%

21%

16%

3%

7%

50%

31%

19%

17%

5%

10%

2013 2014

ATLANTIC

29%

19%

17%

17%

6%

4%

4%

2%

2%

19%

12%

27%

27%

8%

4%

4%

Permanent Residency

55%

31%

14%

68%

25%

8%

2014 2013

47

Q34. For statistical purposes, we would like to know the location of your permanent residence. Please select the statement that most appropriately describes your current residency status: ? Base: All respondents, 2013 n=106, 2014 n=154; Q35. You indicated that you are attending university in [Newfoundland and Labrador/PEI/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick ] but are a permanent resident of another province/territory. Please select the province or territory in which you are a permanent resident. Base: Respondents who are not permanent residents of [Newfoundland and Labrador/PEI/Nova Scotia/New Brunswick ], 2013 n=26, 2014 n=48

Around half of final year engineering students are permanent residents of the province they are attending school in (55%), lower than in 2013. Of those who are attending school in one of the Atlantic provinces but are a permanent resident of another province, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta and PEI are the most common home provinces referenced by students.

Resident of Another Province/Territory:

[Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Nova Scotia, New

Brunswick ] (n=84) (n=72)

Resident of another province/territory

(n=48) (n=26)

International student

(n=22) (n=8)


Ontario(n=9)(n=3)

Alberta(n=8)(n=7)

Prince Edward Island(n=8)(n=7)

Newfoundland/ Labrador(n=3)(n=2)

Quebec(n=2)(n=1)


British Columbia(n=1)(n=1)

Saskatchewan(n=1)(n=0)

ATLANTIC

34%

20%

17%

11%

3%

3%

35%

23%

9%

15%

5%

20132014

Engineering Disciplines

48

Q3/Q3B. Please indicate the engineering discipline in which you are currently studying by selecting one of the following options. Base: All respondents, 2013 (n=106); 2014 (n=154)

Mentions <3% (in 2013) are not shown

The most popular disciplines are civil engineering, followed by mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and electrical engineering.

Civil Engineering(n=53)(n=37)

Mechanical Engineering(n=31)(n=24)

Chemical Engineering(n=26)(n=10)

Electrical Engineering (n=17)(n=16)

Geomatics Engineering(n=5)(n=5)

Software Engineering(n=4)(n=0)

Impact of Seminar/ Workshop Attendance

49

ATLANTIC Workshop/Seminar Attendance & Intention to Pursue Engineering Career

Intentions to pursue a career within the Engineering field are the same regardless if a student has attended a workshop/seminar.

50

HAS ATTENDED AWORKSHOP / SEMINAR

HAS NOT ATTENDED A WORKSHOP / SEMINAR

A B

2013 2014 2013 2014

n=62 n=70 n=41 n=77

Yes, Definitely79% 77% 88% 73%49 54 36 56

Yes, Probably18% 21% 12% 25%11 15 5 19

No, Probably3% 1% - 3%2 1 - 2

No, Definitely- - - -- - - -

Top 2 Box Yes97% 99% 100% 97%60 69 41 75

Low 2 Box No3% 1% - 3%2 1 - 2

Intentions to Pursue Career within the Engineering Field

ATLANTIC [Workshop/Seminar Attendance & Intention to Apply for Licensure

Intentions to pursue their P.Eng. licence are the same regardless if a student has attended a workshop/seminar.

51

HAS ATTENDED AWORKSHOP / SEMINAR

HAS NOT ATTENDED A WORKSHOP / SEMINAR

A B

2013 2014 2013 2014

n=62 n=70 n=41 n=77

Yes, Definitely39% 49% 41% 42%24 34 17 32

Yes, Probably31% 20% 24% 22%19 14 10 17

No, Probably18% 17% 15% 16%11 12 6 12

No, Definitely10% 6% 7% 10%

6 4 3 7

DK/Not Sure3% 9% 12% 12%2 6 5 9

Top 2 Box Yes69% 69% 66% 64%43 48 27 49

Low 2 Box No27% 23% 22% 25%17 16 9 19

Intention to Apply for the Professional Engineers Licensure

Impact of Knowledge of the Professional Engineers Act

52

ATLANTIC Knowledge of Professional Engineers Act & Intention to Pursue Engineering Career

A LOT / FAIR AMOUNT JUST A LITTLE KNOW NOTHING / NEVER HEARD OF

A B C2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014n=49 n=65 n=48 n=66 n=9** n=23**

Yes, Definitely82% 82% 81% 70% 100% 78%40 53 39 46 9 18

Yes, Probably14% 19% 19% 26% - 22%

7 12 9 17 - 5

No, Probably4% - - 5% - -

2 - - 3 - -

No, Definitely- - - - - -- - - - -

Top 2 Box Yes96% 100% 100% 96% 100% 100%47 65 48 63 9 23

Low 2 Box No4% - - 5% - -

2 - - 3 - -

53


Knowledge of the Professional Engineers Act has little influence over their intention to pursue a career in engineering.

Compared to 2013, there has been a decline in definite intentions among those who have no knowledge of the professional engineers act.

**very small base size. Interpret with caution.

ATLANTIC Knowledge of Professional Engineers Act & Intention to Apply for Licensure

Students with a higher level of knowledge regarding the Professional Engineers Act are more likely to be definitely likely to intend to apply for licensure. However, the majority of students regardless of their knowledge intend to apply after graduation.

Compared to 2013, there has been a decline in intentions among those who have no knowledge of the professional engineers act.

54

A LOT / FAIR AMOUNT JUST A LITTLE KNOW NOTHING / NEVER HEARD OF

A B C

2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014n=49 n=65 n=48 n=66 n=9** N=23**

Yes, Definitely45% 55% B 33% 35% 44% 44%22 36 16 23 4 10

Yes, Probably22% 22% 29% 18% 56% 30%11 14 14 12 5 7

No, Probably16% 8% 19% 26% A - 9%

8 5 9 17 - 2

No, Definitely10% 5% 10% 11% - 4%

5 3 5 7 - 1

DK /Not Sure6% 11% 8% 11% - 13%3 7 4 7 - 3

Top 2 Box Yes67% 77% B 63% 53% 100% 74%33 50 30 35 9 17

Low 2 Box No27% 12% 29% 36% A - 13%13 8 14 24 - 3

Intention to Apply for the Professional Engineers Licensure **very small base size. Interpret with caution.

Impact ofKnowledge of Licensing and Roles

55

ATLANTIC Knowledge of Licensing and Roles & Intention to Pursue Engineering Career

Knowledge in terms of roles and licensing requirements does not influence intent to pursue a career in the engineering field.

Compared to 2013, there has been a decline in definite intentions to pursue a career in engineering among those who have a high level of licensing knowledge.

56

HIGH KNOWLEDGE MODERATE KNOWLEDGE

LOW KNOWLEDGE NO KNOWLEDGE

A B C D

2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014

n=54 n=78 n=46 n=60 n=2** n=12** n=4** n=4**

Yes, Definitely89% 74% 76% 77% 50% 83% 100% 75%

48 58 35 46 1 10 4 3

Yes, Probably11% 23% 20% 22% 50% 17% - 25%

6 18 9 13 1 2 - 1

No, Probably- 3% 4% 2% - - - -

- 2 2 1 - - - -

No, Definitely- - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - -

Top 2 Box Yes100% 97% 96% 98% 100% 100% 100% 100%

54 76 44 59 2 12 4 4

Low 2 Box No- 3% 4% 2% - - - -

- 2 2 1 - - - -

Intentions to Pursue Career within the Engineering Field **very small base size. Interpret with caution.


ATLANTIC Knowledge of Licensing and Roles & Intention to Apply for Licensure

Knowledge in terms of roles and licensing requirements does not influence intent to pursue a P.Eng. licence.

57




A B C D

2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014

n=54 N=78 n=46 n=60 n=2** n=12** n=4** N=4**

Yes, Definitely44% 44% 35% 45% - 50% 50% 50%

24 34 16 27 - 6 2 2

Yes, Probably28% 21% 28% 23% - 25% 50% -

15 16 13 14 - 3 2 -

No, Probably15% 20% 17% 15% 50% - - -

8 15 8 9 1 0 - -

No, Definitely7% 6% 11% 7% 50% 17% - -

4 5 5 4 1 2 - -

Top 2 Box Yes72% 64% 63% 68% - 75% 100% 50%

39 50 29 41 - 9 4 2

Low 2 Box No22% 26% 28% 22% 100% 17% - -

12 20 13 13 2 2 - 0



Impact of Knowledge of Organizational Responsibility

58

ATLANTIC Knowledge of Organizational Responsibility & Intention to Pursue Engineering Career

Knowledge of organizational responsibility has no statistically significant impact on intention to pursue an engineering career.

59




A B C D

2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014

n=38 n=49 n=55 n=91 n=9** n=8** n=4** n=6**

Yes, Definitely87% 80% 84% 75% 67% 75% 75% 67%

33 39 46 68 6 6 3 4

Yes, Probably13% 20% 13% 22% 33% 25% 25% 33%

5 10 7 20 3 2 1 2

No, Probably- - 4% 3% - - - -

- - 2 3 - - - -

No, Definitely- - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - -

Top 2 Box Yes100% 100% 96% 97% 100% 100% 100% 100%

38 49 53 88 9 8 4 6

Low 2 Box No- - 4% 3% - - - -

- - 2 3 - - - -



ATLANTIC Knowledge of Organizational Responsibility& Intention to Apply for Licensure

Knowledge of organizational responsibility has little influence on intention to apply for their engineering licensure.

60




A B C D

2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014

n=38 n=49 n=55 n=91 n=9** n=8** n=4** n=6**

Yes, Definitely45% 47% 40% 47% 22% 13% 25% 33%

17 23 22 43 2 1 1 2

Yes, Probably32% 25% 22% 19% 44% 38% 50% 17%

12 12 12 17 4 3 2 1

No, Probably8% 12% 24% 19% 11% - - 17%

3 65 13 17 1 0 - 1

No, Definitely8% 10% 9% 4% 11% 25% 25% -

3 5 5 4 1 2 1 0

Top 2 Box Yes76% 71% 62% 66% 67% 50% 75% 50%

29 35 34 60 6 4 3 3

Low 2 Box No16% 22% 33% 23% 22% 25% 25% 17%

6 11 18 21 2 2 1 1



May 2014

Ipsos Reid Public Affairs300 -160 Bloor Street EastToronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1B9

Sandra Guiry, Vice PresidentPhone: 416-324-2018eMail: [email protected]

Michael Howell, Associate Vice PresidentPhone: 416-572-4407eMail: [email protected]

2014 Final Year Engineering Student Survey - Atlantic Report Conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of...

Documents

Transcript of 2014 Final Year Engineering Student Survey - Atlantic Report Conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of...