Personal Development - Register to Advance01 March 2004

As the complexity of systems, machinery and equipment continues to grow, it is important for plant technicians, engineers and managers to keep up to speed. In a climate of increasing demands and rapidly changing roles they need to develop professionally, extend their knowledge, be prepared to move into new areas and take on more diverse roles. Keeping up to date professionally is essential to enhancing individual career advancement, to adding value, and to maintaining the competitiveness of the employer's business.

Membership of the IPlantE professional sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) is a good start. It is also the gateway to registration with the Engineering Council UK (ECUK), the regulatory body for the engineering profession in the UK. ECUK status as an Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) is recognised within the UK and abroad as the hallmark of the professional engineer.

Registration has many benefits for both the individual and the employer. For the individual it establishes proven knowledge, understanding and competence. It also demonstrates commitment to professional standards, and to developing and enhancing competence. Registration links to membership of the SOE which has been assessed by ECUK as capable of providing guidance on, and opportunities for, professional development through technical publications, web access, networking, links with educational establishments and programmes of lectures, seminars, conferences and exhibitions to keep plant engineers at the forefront of their field. Registrants also have the edge over non-registered candidates when it comes to job applications.

Employers of registered technicians and engineers have evidence that their employees have satisfied a rigorous assessment of their engineering competence. They have confirmation that credentials being claimed are actually held and the assurance that their employees are keeping up to date. They also have the knowledge that registered employees are governed by a code of conduct. Having engineering employees registered is a means to satisfy requirements of the quality management systems standard ISO 9001:2000 and providing the evidence of engineering competence which many customers require. For these reasons,many employers actively encourage their employees to register and will support them in meeting requirements as well as paying initial and continuing registration fees.

To become registered, applicants must meet the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). The process starts with a written application and the submission of evidence of education, training and professional experience, showing how this relates to the required competences. All documentation submitted by the candidate is verified. Evidence of academic qualifications is checked with the issuing authority. Statements of experience gained and career path are verified by at least two sponsors, who are contacted separately for private reports. Practising engineering professionals trained in this type of assessment carry out the professional review. Having reviewed the documentation, they will decide whether the applicant is ready for a formal interview, which is conducted by experienced professionals from the SOE. A decision is then made by the membership committee, a positive decision resulting in the registration of the applicant at the appropriate level.

There are no longer minimum age requirements for registration at the different levels and no typical age profile. Eligibility for registration will depend on the ability to demonstrate achievement of the standards, including relevant experience.

To gain the competences necessary for EngTech registration, a period of training and experience will have been undertaken. An engineering Advanced Modern Apprenticeship, or similar supervised formal training programme, can provide most or all of this. Typical qualifications admissible for EngTech status include: National Certificate or National Diploma in Engineering; City & Guilds Higher Professional Diploma in Engineering; NVQ Level 3; or a technical certificate as part of an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship. Those without such qualifications can become registered by the experience route. This process involves an indepth appraisal of the applicant's knowledge and experience.

Engineering technicians will often have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills for the job through working closely with skilled colleagues over the years. In the absence of formal training, employers' use of occupational standards in recognition of technicians' competences can help in achieving registration.

Incorporated Engineers apply current and developing technology at the highest level of efficiency. They have a detailed understanding of plant engineering technology and use this to manage and make judgements in their field. Incorporated Engineers have a significant influence on the effectiveness of their organisation as they often act as leaders and hold key operational management roles. Typically they have taken a three-year degree course (BSc, BEng, or BTech) accredited by the SOE, or an HND/HNC or Foundation degree in engineering or technology with further learning to degree level. They also need to have completed training approved by the SOE and experience in a responsible position (professional development). Candidates who do not have the relevant academic qualifications can demonstrate that they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding in other ways. These include: writing a report based on experience, taking Engineering Council exams, following an assessed work-based learning programme, or taking an academic programme specified by the SOE.

Chartered Engineers are mainly concerned with the progress of technology through innovation, creativity and change. They develop and implement new technologies, promote advanced designs, introduce new and improved techniques, and pioneer a range of new engineering and management methods.

Chartered Engineers often exercise a high degree of professional judgement, often in the management of sizeable resources and in the direction of major projects that impact on the business performance of their organisation. Typically, Chartered Engineers will have completed a four-year accredited MEng course or an accredited three-year BEng (Hons) degree plus an appropriate period of further learning equivalent to one year's academic study. The same alternative ways of demonstrating achievement of knowledge and understanding available to IEng candidates are also open to CEng candidates. As with IEng applicants, there is a similar requirement for professional development.

SOE

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