Engineering Licensure Unlocked: Your Gateway to Possibility
- | until
Earning your P.Eng. is more than a milestone. It’s a launchpad. Yet many engineering graduates hesitate because of myths they’ve heard: that licensure is too expensive, unnecessary in certain disciplines, or only relevant if you’re stamping drawings.
This webinar brought both sides of the conversation together to celebrate licensure, and debunk myths. Panellists Aderonke Dahunsi, P.Eng., Valer Eugen Demian, P.Eng., and Gavin Simone, P.Eng., shared how licensure opened doors in their careers.
This session was moderated by recent engineering graduate and former President of the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students (CFES), Emma Sanderson.
Speakers
Aderonke Dahunsi, P.Eng., is a Power System Engineer with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, working in the Resource Planning department. She brings over a decade of experience in power system operations, planning, and distribution network optimization across Nigeria and Canada.
As an internationally educated engineer, Aderonke navigated the Canadian licensure process while adapting to a new professional environment. Her journey to becoming a professional engineer in Canada reflects resilience, continuous learning, and a strong commitment to professional excellence. Aderonke highlights mentorship, networking, and professional developmentas key to her successful transition.
Aderonke is passionate about supporting internationally educated engineers and sharing insights on licensure, career growth, and opportunities within the engineering profession in Canada.
Valer Eugen Demian, P.Eng., PMP, has an international degree in mechanical engineering, and over 35 years of engineering experience in roles including drafter, designer, project manager, and engineer. He has experience across two continents, working under multiple standards and measurement systems (metric and imperial). His background spans three engineering disciplines: mechanical, mechatronics, and structural, and he has specialization in design for manufacturability, manufacturing documentation, and production support. He is proficient with up to 30 software tools, including operating systems, documentation suites, 2D/3D CAD, online publishing platforms, and communication applications. He complemented his engineering expertise with concurrent project management responsibilities, achieving PMP certification in 2016. He obtained his P.Eng. in 2023.
Emma Sanderson is a new graduate in Environmental Engineering from the University of Guelph with a focus in energy management and resource recovery solutions that support net-zero carbon goals. She has contributed to municipal capital projects as a co-op student with the Region of Waterloo through energy audits, GHG reduction, landfill compliance reporting, and construction. Working under licensed engineers as a student has highlighted the impact that the engineering profession can have on the public, and the role that licensure plays in this.
As President of the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students, Emma has engaged closely with regulatory partners, including Engineers Canada and Professional Engineers Ontario, to advocate for over 80,000 engineering students on topics including licensure, accreditation, and professional development at the undergraduate level. She is eager to contribute her perspective as an undergraduate student as she embarks on her professional journey after graduation.
Gavin Simone, P.Eng., LEED AP, is a professional engineer who has supported aspiring engineers on their licensure journey since 2012. After completing his own path to licensure and gaining nine years of experience in the construction industry, Gavin recognized the challenges that the process can pose—especially for exams like the NPPE and requirements like the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA).
He went on to found Practice PPE Exams, where his team develops courses, AI tools, and resources to help engineers navigate licensing more clearly and efficiently. Gavin also contributed to the early development and testing of the CBA reporting system through volunteer work with Engineers Canada.
Today, he focuses full-time on helping EITs across Canada progress toward licensure with practical guidance, up-to-date courses, and structured support.