For each competency, you will write a brief
STAR-narrative of 100 to 250 words, as laid out below:
Example
Format
Competency:
Technical Competence – Design and Analysis
Situation:
While working as a mechanical engineer at XYZ
Company, I was assigned to design a heat exchanger for an industrial process.
Task:
My responsibility was to create a design that met
capacity requirements while improving energy efficiency.
Action:
Conducted thermal and stress analyses using
software, studied options in materials, and obtained specifications from
vendors. CFD simulations were then run to optimize the performance of the
system.
Result:
In terms of
performance, the final design was 12% more efficient while also being less
maintenance-intensive and conforming to safety codes.
Tip:
Remember, the assessors want to know your contribution to a certain task and
not what the team did.
How to Write an Effective Report for APEGBC
Applications
Avoid using jargon unless absolutely
required and instead be succinct and clear.
When necessary, however, use the appropriate wording.
Write
about yourself – Even if you worked in a group
activity, focus on your responsibilities and actions.
Quantify
your results – Present exact data regarding changes
made that include, for example, cutting costs by 10%, or accelerating delivery
by two weeks.
Provide
a variety of examples – Diversify your examples
through various projects to evidence the wider skill set.
Connect
actions to competencies – Clearly illustrate how
your example qualifies the competency being referred to.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Make the background short and concise, just
focusing on what you did and what you accomplished.
Too
vague in descriptions: Being "involved in
design" just doesn't cut it; elaborate on what happened.
Using
Repeated Examples: Don't use the same project for
consideration under too many competencies unless unavoidable.
Neglecting
the outcomes: It is the outcome of the
competencies, not just the procedures, that the assessors wish to examine.
Word
Count Below Par: Brief examples seem shallow or
unfinished.
Making Use of the EGBC Online Competency Evaluation
Tool
The Competency Assessment System (CAS) is
the online platform used for APEGBC competency reporting. The flow is as
follows:
Logging
into the system - You are now starting your
application.
Choosing
a competency - One of the 7 categories.
Writing
the example - STAR format, word limit.
Attaching
references - The names and contacts of your
validators (most senior engineers or supervisors).
Submitting
for review - Judges accept the claim after the validators
agree with it.
Choosing Validators
Senior engineers who are validators can
attest to your experience. They should:
Know the scope of your work in
detail.
Hold registration in Canada or
some other jurisdiction.
Be ready to justify the
involvement and the validity of the report.
Choosing the right validators
will make the approval much easier.
Final check before submission
Before
submission:
Proofread the document for
grammar, technical specifications, and clarity.
Verify coverage of
competencies, making sure all categories have examples of their sufficiency.
Confirm their availability so
that they will answer promptly.
Follow the guidelines to a
letter, as assessors expect strict adherence to instructions.
Why This Report Is Important
Your competency report is no mere bundle of
papers. It is a professional portfolio, which, if expertly prepared, will
convince the following that you are:
Competent in technical skills;
Accept professional
responsibility;
Work within the Canadian
engineering environment.
Obtaining the CBA is one of the last steps
for pursuing the highly prestigious title of P.Eng., which will offer more
career opportunities in Canada.
Final Thoughts
An APEGBC (EGBC) Competency Report has a
tendency to feel intimidating at first. But, it is a rewarding process in
demonstrating career achievements if done correctly, so put in strong examples,
apply the STAR method, and relate their work to the competencies required.
By MCH
29 Jul 2025 
