I'm probably taking this too literally but they kinda do, in canada at least. You can't get a licence without meeting the experience requirements. When I did mine it was 4 years. It's reduced now with more of a focus demonstrating competencies. And just like residency, a placement isn't guaranteed. I think it's slightly less sadistic and exploitative than a medical residency tho.

[–] Malkhodr@lemmygrad.ml 9 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Here in the US, we have licenses that are based on programs and different classes. You got to pass a test (difficult ones at that) to get a license in those programs or to work as different kinds of engineers, but you're not given any employment. If you wanna get an entry level position, you better hope you got accepted for an internship while you were a student because no one will hire you.

For my major, we have the bonus of needing a license to operate a nuclear reactor BUT the class to get that license is limited capacity and you aren't forced to take it, and it's in fact competitive. We are all required to take a class to learn how to operate the reactor but not one that gives us a license.

You can imagine the frustration.

[–] Arcanepotato@crazypeople.online 6 points 2 days ago

Just adding more details to compare and contrast:

the experience requirement isn't the only requirement, you have to go to accredited schools or write technical exams, and there is a law and ethics exam.
having an engineering licence is a min requirement for many jobs, not a foot in the door
I have separate licencing for my professional area (also operating) that was done entirely outside of school. You either need years of separate operating hours for that one too, or a combo of other things including a much higher passing grade on the four exams which are 3 hours each. I did that within 5 years of graduation and there is no way in hell I could have done that if I didn't have the flexibility of an entry level job. I could do shifts with operators to learn. Now I'm supposed to require my more senior staff to get them? Nah. I'll help them as much as I can, but I'm not holding them to that impossible requirement.