Competence Standards

The International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA), also known as the Engineers Mobility Forum, is a multi-national agreement that facilitates the international mobility of professional engineers by recognizing the substantial equivalence of competence and professional standing of engineers in member countries. To achieve this, IPEA has established professional competency standards that engineers must meet to be recognized under the agreement. These standards ensure that engineers have the necessary skills, knowledge, and ethical grounding to practice engineering safely and effectively across different jurisdictions.
BPERB adopted thirteen professional competencies (ECs) as per GAPC version 4.

Core Professional Competence Standards and Professional Competency Profile

To meet the minimum standards, an engineer must demonstrate his/her ability to practice competently in his/her own working area to the expected standard level of a competent Professional Engineer. For this purpose, 5 (five) Core Professional Competence Standards (CPCS), aligned with the GAPC version 4 of IPEA Professional Competency Profile, have been set by BPERB:

  • i. Knowledge and Understanding: General and specialist knowledge and understanding to optimize the application of existing and emerging technology for solving problems.
  • ii. Design, Development and Solving Engineering Problems: Application of theoretical and practical knowledge to the analysis and solution of engineering problems.
  • iii. Responsibility, Management and Leadership: Technical, commercial and managerial leadership skills with a sound understanding of economic and procurement policies.
  • iv. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication and interpersonal skills with professional commitment.
  • v. Personal and Professional Commitment: Professional conduct, commitment to society, health and safety, environment and regulation.

IPEA Professional Competency Profile:

  • EC1: Comprehend and apply advanced knowledge of the widely-applied principles underpinning good practice;
  • EC2: Comprehend and apply advanced knowledge of the widely-applied principles underpinning good practice specific to the jurisdiction in which he/she practices.;
  • EC3: Define, investigate and analyse complex problems using data and information technologies where applicable;
  • EC4: Design or develop solutions to complex problems considering a variety of perspectives and taking account of stakeholder views;
  • EC5: Evaluate the outcomes and impacts of complex activities;
  • EC6: Recognize the reasonably foreseeable social, cultural and environmental effects of complex activities and seek to achieve sustainable outcomes;
  • EC7: Meet all legal and regulatory requirements and protect public health and safety in the course of his or her activities;
  • EC8: Conduct his or her activities ethically;
  • EC9: Manage part or all of one or more complex activities;
  • EC10: Communicate and collaborate using multiple media clearly and inclusively with a broad range of stakeholders in the course of all activities;
  • EC11: Undertake CPD activities to maintain and extend competences and enhance the ability to adapt to emerging technologies and the ever-changing nature of work;
  • EC12: Recognize complexity and assess alternatives in light of competing requirements and incomplete knowledge. Exercise sound judgment in the course of his or her complex activities;
  • EC13: Be responsible for making decisions on part or all of complex activities.

While gaining work experience, the engineer will be expected to develop many skills defined in the Core Professional Competence Standards and demonstrate his/her status by submitting a Professional Competence and Commitment Report on Core Professional Competences within 4000-5000 words. 

Each competence standard contains elements of competence, each with its own attainment indicators. The aspects of competence indicate the capabilities related to the competence standard, and the attainment indicators guide the type of work the applicant can demonstrate, determining the candidate’s relevant level of competence.  

Competence for Independent Practice and Practical Involvement

The applicant should develop the necessary level of practice skills and professional maturity to meet the BPERB competence criteria. They must be assessed for their ability to practice independently, validation of engineering experience, and validation of knowledge and character. In addition, the assessment process focuses on evidence of their professional competence following the BPERB core competencies.

BPERB’s Competence Criteria mapping with 13 competences of GAPC version 4
The details of the BPERB’s competences and commitments are aligned with 13 competence profiles as per GAPC version 4, as follows:

  • A. Core Professional Competence Standards – I: Knowledge and Understanding [EC1 & EC2]
    a. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and application of advanced knowledge of the fundamental principles that underpin good professional practice, both in general and within the specific jurisdiction of the applicant. [EC1, EC2]
  • B. Core Professional Competence Standards –II: Design, Development and Solving Engineering Problems [EC3, EC4, EC5 and EC6]
    a. Define, investigate and analyse complex problems using data and information technologies where applicable. [EC3]
    b. Design or develop solutions to complex problems considering a variety of perspectives and taking account of stakeholder views [EC4]
    c. Evaluate the outcomes and impacts of complex activities [EC5]
    d. Recognize the reasonably foreseeable social, cultural and environmental effects of complex activities and seek to achieve sustainable outcomes [EC6]
  • C. Core Professional Competence Standards –III: Responsibility, Management, and Leadership [EC7, EC9, EC12 and EC13]
    a. Meet all legal and regulatory requirements and protect public health and safety in course activities conducted. [EC7]
    b. Manage part or all of one or more complex activities [EC9]
    c. Recognize complexity and assess alternatives in light of competing requirements and incomplete knowledge. Exercise sound judgment in the course of his or her complex activities [EC12]
    d. Be responsible for making decisions on part or all of complex activities. [EC13]
  • D. Core Professional Competence Standards –IV: Communication and Interpersonal Skills [EC10]
    a. Communicate and collaborate using multiple media clearly and inclusively with a broad range of stakeholders in the course of all activities. [EC10]
  • E. Core Professional Competence Standards –V: Personal and Professional Commitment [EC8 and EC11]
    a. Conduct activities ethically [EC8] [EC10]
    b. Undertake CPD activities to maintain and extend competences and enhance the ability to adapt to emerging technologies and the ever-changing nature of work [EC11]

Content of Professional Competence and Commitment Report  

The competence and commitment report should present the applicant’s work in order. It is a vehicle for the applicant to demonstrate how s/he has met the attributes at the required level, playing his/her role, citing references from their own projects where critical decisions were made, challenges were faced, valuable lessons were learnt, and independent judgments were exercised. The use of colour images, or drawings in the report is allowed wherever necessary.