Instructions and Guidance for providing a Portfolio of Evidence for Engineering Knowledge

Carefully read the following instructions and guidance. They are designed to assist you in providing in providing a portfolio of evidence that best demonstrates the comprehension and application of your engineering knowledge to Washington Accord equivalence.

• Familiarise yourself with the definition of ‘complex engineering problems’ (Appendix One) as you are required to demonstrate you can apply your engineering knowledge to solve complex engineering problems.
• Identify the ‘engineering discipline and field’ (Appendix Two) you will provide evidence of your comprehension and application of engineering knowledge in.
• The knowledge assessment is based on Washington Accord knowledge profile. This form is designed to capture information to assist the evaluation of your evidence

• As you do not have a formal engineering qualification that formally benchmarks to a Washington Accord accredited degree, it is essential that you demonstrate that you have acquired an equivalent level of knowledge.
• The Context and performance indicators provide guidance on the evidence to be provided
• Consider each element of the knowledge profile, including the context statements and performance indicators. Summarise key aspects of your knowledge under each element and how this has been developed through academic study, on-job learning and/or continuing professional development. It is important you use the performance indicators and complexity definitions to enable you to describe your knowledge and how it has been developed.
• When describing how your educational program contributed to your development, focus on the more advanced pieces of work you did, the knowledge you needed in order to perform that work, and the abilities you needed in order to apply your knowledge in an engineering context.
• The word document is formatted to allow you expand a text box if required.
• Write your material in the first-person using ‘I’ or ‘me’ instead of ‘we’ or ‘us’. This makes it easy for the assessors to see what your personal contribution was.

• Describe 3-4 engineering projects or activities (Work/Study Episodes) that you have been involved with, which demonstrate your ability to apply your engineering knowledge to solve complex engineering problems. Think of activities where you have had to apply a high level of engineering knowledge – such as some analysis that you have done, work you have done in scoping a problem and then developing a solution or design. What engineering models did you use?  What assumptions were made in the development of the model and how did you test the model was relevant in the way you used it?
• For engineers with limited practical experience post-graduation, project work undertaken during your study is likely to be one of the best ways of illustrating the application of your knowledge. As well as projects conducted within university or college, you may be able to draw on any industry experience required as part of the educational program.
• You are required to include actual samples of your work – calculations, analyses or reports that you have personally undertaken - to substantiate your work/study episodes.
• Write your material in the first-person using ‘I’ or ‘me’ instead of ‘we’ or ‘us. This makes it easy for the assessors to see what your personal contribution was.
• The word document is formatted to allow you expand a text box if required.

• You are required to submit a certified copy of your academic transcript(s) (formal record of papers taken and grades received) if you have not submitted to IPENZ already.
• Summarise your work history but include a representative sample of specific engineering projects or activities that evidence the development or application of the knowledge profile.
• Rather than listing all your CPD activities, provide details of those activities that have extended your professional engineering knowledge in your discipline and field and have assisted you to develop the knowledge profile of a professional engineer. A summary of all relevant activities – including those going beyond the most recent 6 years - will assist knowledge assessors in assessing your engineering knowledge. Assessors will be looking for how any gap between your qualification and a Washington Accord qualification has been bridged by your CPD.
• The word document is formatted to allow you expand a text box if required.

• The fee for a knowledge assessment is NZ$1,351.25 GST incl. Please complete your credit card details.
• Send all documentation to address advised

The knowledge assessor will review your portfolio of evidence to determine the need for further challenge tests. This will involve an interactive assessment, that you will need to make yourself available for, either via tele or video conference and may also involve a series of challenge tests that may include one or a combination of:

• An oral and/or written examination
• A work simulation
• A case study

Your knowledge assessor will be in touch with you to discuss the next steps.