In a July 25 release, Microsoft Canada announced they will continue to use the term "engineer" as part of the MCSE designation, changing a decision made by Microsoft just a year earlier following discussions with Engineers Canada and representatives of the provincial engineering licensing bodies.

"Engineers Canada is extremely disappointed with Microsoft's announcement," said Marie Lemay, P.Eng., CEO of CCPE. "By reversing this decision and advising their titleholders to use the full MCSE title, it has become clear that Microsoft Canada is no longer interested in continuing to work with the engineering profession or in assisting their certificate holders in avoiding the associated enforcement issues."

In May 2001, Microsoft agreed to advise Canadian holders of the MCSE certification not to call themselves "engineers" or use the full title "Microsoft Certified System Engineer." It was a major step toward preventing Canadian holders of the MCSE certification from inadvertently breaking provincial and territorial laws, and was seen by the engineering profession as a sign of good corporate leadership.

It would appear that Microsoft Canada is bowing to the pressure of MCSE holders and the training and certification organizations who have been capitalizing on the intrinsic value of the term "engineer" with little regard for potentially misleading the public.

According to published Microsoft information, to secure the MCSE designation an individual is required to complete seven exams. Depending on a person's previous experience, preparatory training leading to successful completion of the exams can range from several days to several months. This is far short of the four-year engineering degree required as one of the prerequisites to become an engineer.

To protect the public, laws and regulations restricting the use of the titles "engineer" and "engineering" and limiting the practice of engineering solely to licensed professional engineers have been put in place by all of Canada's provincial and territorial governments. The engineering licensing bodies are obligated by their legislative mandate to enforce against inappropriate use of the terms "engineer" and "engineering."

Microsoft's earlier decision was assisting the MCSE holders so they did not mistakenly use the title engineer or otherwise hold themselves out as qualified to practise engineering which would require the engineering profession's licensing bodies to take action against them.

Ms. Lemay said it would have been prudent for Microsoft Canada to have listened to other groups, beyond those with a vested interest, to determine what title should be used to avoid confusion and prevent MCSE titleholders from encountering enforcement from the engineering licensing bodies. "It is pretty obvious that the certificate holders would see value in the use of the title 'engineer,'" she said. "But engineering is a profession and with that comes an obligation to protect the public. It is important for the public to know that the term 'engineer' refers to a person with a university engineering education and engineering experience who follows a professional code of ethics, not someone with just a few months of IT training."

"Microsoft's advice to their certificate holders in May 2001 was well placed then and it continues to be today despite their recent announcement," Ms. Lemay said. "MCSE certificate holders would be well served to continue heeding this advice."

Engineers Canada is the national organization of the provincial and territorial associations/ordre that regulate the practice of engineering in Canada and license the country's more than 160,000 professional engineers. Established in 1936, Engineers Canada delivers national programs that ensure the highest standards of engineering education, professional qualifications and ethical conduct. Engineers Canada is the voice of its constituent members in national and international affairs, and promotes greater understanding of the nature, role and contribution of engineering to society.

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For more information, contact:

Glenna Benson Director, Corporate Services, Engineers Canada 1100 - 180 Elgin, Ottawa, ON K2P 2K3 (613) 232-2474, ext. 225 glenna.benson@engineerscanada.ca