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Systems Change Engineering Certification

Systems Change Engineering Certification

HomeWhat We DoInvesting in PeopleSystems Change Engineering Certification

Engineering Systems For A Sustainable Future 

APPLY BY MARCH 16TH.

Engineering is often reduced to load calculations and process optimization - but the real power of engineering lies in shaping the systems that govern how people live and thrive. Yet engineering education in Canada still prioritizes technical skill over social, cultural, and systemic understanding, leaving graduates underprepared to tackle today’s defining challenges, from Indigenous reconciliation and climate resilience to equitable infrastructure and technological disruption. 

The Systems Change Engineering Certification is EWB Canada’s flagship leadership program designed to change that. Launching with its inaugural 2026 Cohort, this program equips emerging engineers with the skills, perspectives, and lived experience needed to understand complexity, challenge the status quo, and lead meaningful systems change in Canada and beyond. 

Cohort dates: May 2026 – January 2027 

Applications open: February 2026 

The 2026 cohort will be limited to 12-15 teams (60 participants total) from affiliated EWB Canada chapters. 

Why Systems Change, Why Now 

Engineering shapes how societies move, power themselves, govern resources, and build futures. But traditional engineering education often sidelines the social, cultural, and political realities that determine whether solutions succeed or fail. The result is a growing gap between technical capability and real-world impact. 

EWB Canada believes the next generation of engineers must be fluent in systems thinking, equity, policy, and community engagement—alongside technical excellence. The Systems Change Engineering Certification responds to this need, preparing engineers not just to design solutions, but to reshape the systems that created today’s challenges in the first place.

Program Overview 

The Systems Change Engineering Certification is a national, cohort-based program designed for EWB chapter members and undergraduate engineering students who want to lead change beyond the classroom. Participants join teams of 3–4 from their local EWB chapter, learning together while applying systems thinking to real-world challenges in their communities. 

The program runs from May 2026 to January 2027 and requires an estimated ~5 hour per week, making it compatible with full-time studies. Learning is delivered through a blend of online modules, facilitated workshops led by EWB-certified trainers, peer learning, and hands-on experiential projects. 

From May to August, participants progress through eight core modules, followed by a collaborative capstone project from September to December, where they work with a local community to identify a social challenge and design a systems-level solution or social venture. Certification is awarded upon successful completion of all modules and the capstone. 

The 2026 Cohort Experience 

Participants move through the program together as a national cohort, building shared language, skills, and community. Teams work locally to identify a social or systems-level challenge, engage with stakeholders, and design an intervention that addresses root causes – not just symptoms. 

The program culminates at xChange 2027, EWB Canada’s national conference, where teams will showcase their projects, exchange learning with peers from across the country, and celebrate graduation as the inaugural cohort of Systems Change Engineering Leaders. 

What Participants Learn 

Participants explore Global Engineering with Social Context, Sustainable Engineering and Climate Solutions, and Systems Thinking to understand how engineering decisions interact with social, environmental, and economic systems. They build practical skills through Human-Centred Design and Entrepreneurship, learning how to co-create solutions and translate ideas into action. The program also centres Decolonizing Engineering, Policy and Advocacy, and Decolonizing Self, challenging participants to reflect on power, identity, and responsibility while developing the confidence to influence systems-level change.

Outcomes & Impact 

Graduates of the program earn recognition as EWB-certified Systems Change Engineering Leaders, equipped with practical experience, national networks, and a differentiated leadership credential. Participants leave with a deeper understanding of how to work across disciplines, sectors, and communities—skills increasingly demanded across industry, public service, and the social innovation ecosystem. 

For EWB Canada and its partners, the program builds long-term capacity across chapters nationwide, strengthens the pipeline of values-driven engineering leaders, and creates a scalable model for transforming how engineers are prepared for the future. 

Who This Program Is For 

The Systems Change Engineering Certification is designed for EWB chapter members and undergraduate engineering students who are motivated by impact, equity, and leadership. No prior experience in systems thinking, policy, or community development is required—only curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to challenge conventional approaches to engineering. 

Partners & Funders 

The Systems Change Engineering Certification is made possible through the support of forward-looking partners who believe engineers must be equipped to lead in an increasingly complex world. 

Primary Funder: RBC Foundation – Skills for a Thriving Future 

Delivered by Engineers Without Borders Canada, with a national network of chapters, trainers, and partners committed to systems change. 

Applicant Criteria

Who is Eligible to Apply :

  • You must be an undergraduate student enrolled at a Canadian university. If you are a graduate student interested in participating, please connect directly with the program team at certifications@ewb.ca .
  • You must be affiliated with an EWB university chapter (or interested in starting one)
  • You expect to have at least one year remaining in your degree 

You are strongly encouraged to apply in a team from your Chapter. Teams should be 3-4 students.

What Makes an Ideal Applicant: 

You Have an Interest in Systems Change and Creative Problem Solving
  • Demonstrated motivation to address complex engineering challenges (e.g., sustainability, climate, equity, resilience) using systems thinking.
  • Interest and experience in leveraging policy and advocacy as a lever for change
You are Collaborative and Open to Interdisciplinary Work
  • Willingness and ability to work in diverse teams and engage across disciplines 
  • Demonstrated openness to feedback and consultation from people outside of engineering 
You Possess Strong Communication and Reflection Skills
  • Ability to clearly explain ideas to technical and non-technical audiences
  • You value strong communication skills as a core part of teamwork
  • You have a strong reflective capacity. An ability to reconsider previous assumptions, and an openness to adapting solutions based on feedback and consultation
  • Thoughtful consideration of various perspectives and the uncertainty of big social projects
You Have an Impact Mindset
  • Evidence of initiative through projects, leadership, community involvement, or a strong desire to apply learning toward real-world impact
You Want to Unlearn, Learn, and Relearn
  • Ability to fail, and to learn and try again

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is designed to help you decide whether the EWB Systems Change Engineering Certification (SCEC) is right for you. Please consult the frequently asked questions below to understand what the program involves, who it is for, and what you can expect.

What is the Systems Change Engineering Certification?

The Systems Change Engineering Certification is an 8-month, team-based program that provides EWB student leaders with training in systems change leadership. The program aims to make you the most effective changemaker you can be, driving positive social change in your communities. Covering topics such as systems thinking, decolonization, global engineering, sustainability, policy and advocacy, participants will work in teams to tackle a chosen social issue, using the content from the program to help them develop and implement an impact project. 

From May to August, participants will participate in weekly program sessions exploring eight content areas, and continually working to refine their impact project plan. From September to December, teams will receive mentorship support from EWB Canada to implement their project plans. The program will culminate in December, when teams will have the chance to present on the success of their impact projects. Winning teams will receive financial support to share their projects with the broader EWB Canada community at the annual xChange conference in January. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must:

  • Be an undergraduate student enrolled at a Canadian university. Undergraduate students are the focus of this program. If you are a graduate student interested in participating, please connect directly with the program team.
  • Be affiliated with an EWB university chapter (or interested in starting one)

Students from all disciplines and fields are strongly encouraged to apply. 

What topics are covered by the Systems Change Engineering Certification?

The program will feature 8 modules:

  1. Global Engineering
  2. Sustainable Engineering & Climate Solutions
  3. Systems Change & Systems Thinking
  4. Design Thinking & Human-Centered Design
  5. Decolonizing Engineering
  6. Entrepreneurship for Impact
  7. Policy & Advocacy
  8. Decolonizing Self
What is meant by the “impact project”?

A core part of participating in the program will be working on your impact project. Each team will freely be able to choose a social issue of interest to them, so long as you have a connection to the community you will be working with. The first four months of the program (May-August) will provide you with support in framing and developing the plan for your impact project. You will then be expected to put your impact project plan into action during the following Fall semester. The social issue and community you chose will be up to your team, but you will be expected to frame your plan based on the content delivered through the early months of the program. The goal is for successful impact projects to become EWB chapter initiatives and/or sustained social impact ventures outside of EWB.

How long does the Systems Change Engineering Certification run for?

The Systems Change Engineering Certification program runs from May to December. Phase I, from May to August, will involve regular participation in weekly content sessions and working with your team to create a plan for your impact project. Phase II, from September to December, will involve your team putting your plan into action with mentorship support from EWB Canada.

Do I need to be an EWB member before applying?

You do not need to be a registered EWB member to apply. However, applicants must be affiliated with an EWB university chapter. If your campus does not currently have an EWB chapter, you are still encouraged to apply, and you can indicate this in the application form, so that the program coordinators can follow up with you directly. 

All participants will be required to complete EWB membership onboarding before beginning the program. 

What is the time commitment?

Participants will be expected to dedicate approximately 5 hours a week to the program from May to August, and approximately 2 hours a week to the program from September to December. 

During May to August, this time commitment includes:

  • Attendance at 16 weekly synchronous sessions 
  • Self-organized team meetings between synchronous sessions
  • Attendance at semi-regular alumni mentorship meetings
  • Independent and teamwork between sessions to progress on your local community project

During September to December, this time commitment includes:

  • Dedicated time to put your impact project plan into action
  • Attendance at semi-regular alumni mentorship meetings
  • Monthly updates to the EWB Canada team about project progress
Are there costs associated with participating?

No, there are no costs associated with participating in the program. We do require participants to have access to a laptop and a stable internet connection for the duration of the weekly synchronous sessions (from May to August). 

Do I have to apply in a team?

We strongly encourage applicants to apply as part of a self-selected Chapter team of 3-4 students. These students should be people that you would want to work closely with on your local community project.  To apply as a team, please work together to come up with responses to the application questions. One team member can then formally submit the application on behalf of your team. 

What does the application process look like?

Any team (or individual) interested in participating in the program must complete the application form to officially apply by March 16, 2026. Selected applicants will then be invited to participate in a virtual interview. You can expect to hear back about your acceptance within 4-6 weeks of the application deadline.

What will I get for completing the program?

Any participant who successfully completes the program will receive a formal certificate of completion issued by Engineers Without Borders Canada. Teams will also be considered for select spots to receive financial support to present their work to the EWB Canada community at the annual xChange conference.

How many spots are available in the program?

There are 60 seats available in the program each year.

What support do participants receive during the program?

Each team is supported by: 

  • A dedicated mentor from EWB’s alumni network
  • Structured synchronous learning sessions and take-home resources
  • Regular checkpoints and resources to guide work on their local community project
  • Connections to subject-matter experts throughout the program
  • Ongoing guidance from the EWB program team
I am an EWB Chapter Executive - may I apply?

Yes. All EWB chapter members, including executives and presidents, are eligible to apply

I am not affiliated with an EWB Chapter - may I apply?

The program is restricted to EWB members. If your institution currently does not have an established EWB Chapter, please reach out to the program coordinators directly, certifications@ewb.ca to discuss possibilities.

Still have questions?

If you are still unsure whether SCEC is the right program for you, we encourage you to speak with your local EWB chapter leadership or reach out to the EWB Canada program team. Please reach out directly to certifications@ewb.ca  with any questions or concerns about your participation. We are happy to help you!

Apply for the Systems Change Engineering Certification by March 16th

APPLY NOW