Case Study

A Path Forward for Canadian Engineering Accreditation

Coeuraj, supported by Engineers Canada, led the Canadian engineering ecosystem through a 3-year collaborative design (co-design) and engagement process to investigate and validate the purpose and scope of engineering accreditation in Canada.

A Path Forward for Canadian Engineering Accreditation

This journey culminated in the Path Forward Report, where the project’s Steering Committee identified 18 recommendations for the engineering ecosystem. The recommendations—which were developed through engaging with hundreds of interest holders—reflect the project’s efforts to examine the current accreditation system, understand how it is serving contemporary needs, and consider how it can chart a new path for the future of the profession.

Our work together has driven meaningful change at multiple levels: 

  • Individually – Individuals from across the engineering ecosystem are invested in seeing through changes to the accreditation system and are empowered with new language and collaborative ways of working.
  • Organizationally – Relationships are strengthened, and empathy is deeper among interest holder groups.
  • Systemically – A revised purpose statement for accreditation has been established, alongside an agreement on the need for a national academic requirement for licensure. Across the engineering ecosystem, interest holder groups committed to moving forward on these processes collaboratively.

The Futures of Engineering Accreditation initiative is just the beginning. This work has laid the foundation for the engineering accreditation system in Canada to evolve into one that better serves all interest holders and aligns with the realities of today’s engineering landscape.

Click to view the Futures of Engineering Accreditation Path Forward Report.