SOE chief slams UK institutes and employers over skills and pay

London - Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) president Ian Ling has accused the UK engineering institutes of shying away from threats facing the industry and failing their members, during an address marking his second term as president of SOE - a membership organisation for engineering professionals in the transport, plant and surveying sectors.

Ling blamed both engineering institutions and businesses for the public’s lack of appreciation of engineering and poor recruitment uptake, saying: “We are inward looking, almost incestuous and because of this we are, I suggest, failing our members. And, more importantly, in our role and public duty as engineering professionals.” He also called for industry do more to attract new generations of engineers through increased financial support for both salaries and innovations, before it is too late.

Today there are 36 institutions licensed by ECUK to register engineers at the various levels – EngTech, IEng and CEng - together with 13 professional affiliates that also seek to develop the profession. There are over 260,000 registrants and large numbers of engineers who are members of institutions, but not registered,  , as well as many people working as engineers who are not in any institution, Ling noted.

All institutions whilst operating in their own discipline meet different challenges. Sharing these with others and conversely, hearing others’ experiences, improves everyone’s knowledge, efficiency and application. However, asked Ling, what end does this achieve if a significant proportion of the public have little understanding of what an engineer is and what they do?

"I suggest we are failing in the broader picture. We do not project and inform the public of the importance and necessity for engineers in the world today ... We must recognise that all institutions have a responsibility further than simply recruiting competent engineers into membership.  We must promote and amplify engineering successes, and engineers’ success.

"If large numbers of the adult population have little knowledge of engineering, will they encourage their children to pursue it as a career? Or would they even actively discourage them. No efforts put into schools will come to fruition if parents are not convinced – they may turn their children away. Therefore, we must inform them of the career opportunities available and the necessity for engineers today and in the future."

Morevoer, continued Ling, to attract able young men and women, the engineering sector most ensure that it rewards its employees suitably. He asked: "Why should we expect people to want to be engineers, or why should we expect the public to align us with other more respected professions, if we are not prepared to pay competitive salaries?

"This may not be something many of us want to hear, but we must. However it is the trade unions within the engineering community who must pioneer and lobby for better conditions. If they do not, then the most impassioned of our future engineers will have no other choice than to take their abilities elsewhere."