Change is something people do not like to encounter but is inevitable in today’s society. Change is happening everywhere including within the Engineers’ Regulations.

The changes to the Engineers’ Regulations relate to the amalgamation of the Building Operator B examinations and the Fireman’s examinations and replacing them with a new Fifth Class examination. Also the amalgamation of the Building Operator A and Fourth Class examinations and replacing them with a new and improved Fourth Class examination. These changes were implemented on September 1, 1998.

To prepare for this change the Examinations Staff worked with the technical colleges to ensure that a smooth transition took place and reasonable notification of the changes were given to all examination candidates. The Pressure News, Vo1.3 Issue 2 contained an article explaining the changes. New certificates were printed. New examination application forms were produced and circulated to ABSA offices and the technical colleges. New examination question banks were developed and reviewed for accuracy for the new Fifth Class and the new Fourth Class.

In the months leading up to the Engineers’ Regulations implementation date, the Examinations Staff handled numerous telephone and personal inquiries from anxious examination candidates seeking clarification on information and also seeking assurance that their existing certification would not be affected. Special provisions were made for a number of candidates who were in the process of completing the college course through a recognized technical institute or were in the process of completing the work experience requirements during the transition period. These provisions include:

Scenario #1
The candidate has successfully completed the college course, has the required work experience and has written the ABSA examinations but failed.

This candidate will be allowed to rewrite the “old” examination until DECEMBER 31st. 1998. if this candidate has not successfully completed the ABSA examinations by this date, the candidate will be required to take the applicable upgrade course and provide proof of satisfactory completion. This candidate with then be eligible to write the NEW examination(s).

Scenario #2
The candidate has successfully completed the college course, has written Part A of the ABSA examination and is completing the work experience requirement.

This candidate will be allowed to write the “old” Part B examination on completion of the required work experience until DECEMBER 31st 1998. If this candidate can not complete the work experience requirement in 1998, this candidate will be required to take the applicable upgrade course and provide proof of satisfactory completion of the course and the required work experience, before being eligible to write the NEW Part B examination.

Scenario #3
The candidate will have successfully completed the college course and completed the required work experience by December 1st, 1998

The candidate must apply and write the examination (s) before DECEMBER 31st, 1998. If the candidate is unsuccessful in the examination attempt, he/she must take the applicable upgrade course and provide proof of satisfactory completion before being eligible to write the NEW examination(s).

Scenario #4
The candidate has successfully completed the college course, has not attempted the Part A and will not have the required work experience by DECEMBER 1st, 1998 to attempt the Part B examination.

The candidate must complete the work experience requirement, successfully complete the applicable upgrade course and provide proof of completion before being eligible to write the NEW examinations.

Scenario #5
The candidate has not yet completed the college course and will not be able to complete the college course before December 1st, 1998.

The candidate must successfully complete the course and the work experience requirement. The candidate must then successfully complete the applicable upgrade course and provide proof of completion before being eligible to write the NEW examinations. By completing the old college course and the Upgrade course the candidate’s knowledge will be at the level of a candidate taking the new college course.

The Engineers’ Regulations now have provisions for existing holders of a valid Building Operator B certificate and holders of a valid Fireman certificate to upgrade to the new Fifth Class. There are also provisions for holders of a valid Building Operator A certificate and holders of a valid Fourth Class certificate to upgrade to the new Fourth Class. These provisions are providing a career path for many Albertans.