The Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) is a crucial component for demonstrating the skills and experience of candidates. However, the rejection rate by Engineers Australia (EA) is notably high. Identifying common mistakes can help you better prepare for this journey.
This article aims to assist engineering graduates in Vietnam or those with unaccredited qualifications in writing their CDRs for skills assessment with EA.
1. Plagiarism from Online Templates
This is a common mistake many candidates make. Many people refer to available online templates to structure their CDR. However, Engineers Australia (EA) utilizes various software to detect plagiarism. Even unintentional copying can lead to your report being flagged as plagiarized.
Many writers aim to explain technical formulas and definitions in their Career Episodes in an understandable way, but due to the complexity of the terms and the need for detailed expression, they copy from the internet without rephrasing in their own words. If you cannot rewrite a formula or interpret it in your own way, ensure you provide proper citations. Failing to acknowledge the sources used can result in severe consequences, such as a rejection of your skills assessment application and a ban lasting from 12 to 36 months.
2. Writing One Project as Two Career Episodes
Many candidates make this error when crafting their Career Episodes. They split the same project into two identical sections regarding content and outcomes. EA requires each Career Episode to be based on different projects. You can write about:
A project you have completed or are currently working on.
A group assignment from your study program.
A specific position you have held or are currently holding (if applicable).
A technical issue you were asked to resolve.
3. Failing to Distinguish Between Teamwork and Individual Contribution
Another common mistake is describing how the team worked without clearly outlining your personal role and contributions. The CDR should be written as a technical narrative where you are the main character. It aims to assess your individual skills, not your teamwork abilities.
4. Numerous Grammatical Errors and Lack of Coherence
When presenting your CDR, you are submitting a formal document. Pay attention to formatting, flow, and coherence. For instance, if you write about issue A, you need to explain how you utilized your knowledge and skills to resolve that issue.
Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, and ensure that your text is coherent. Small mistakes can significantly impact your assessment.
5. Using Outdated or Inappropriate Standards
Every engineer must adhere to specific standards when carrying out projects. Selecting the wrong standard can lead to the rejection of your report. For example, if a mechanical engineer writes about designing and testing a pressure vessel from 2007 but uses an outdated standard, this may raise doubts about the reliability of the document.
In addition, there will certainly be other case-by-case situations that cause your CDR to be rejected, but these are the most common errors that Skill Direct has observed.
So, how can you ensure your CDR is reasonable and ready for submission?
