Backing from MPs as demand for CEng, IEng, EngTech status grows

London - In its report entitled ‘Engineering: Turning Ideas into Reality’, the House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee described the UK’s chartering system as one of the profession's key strengths.

The committee added that the government and professional engineering institutions should join with ECUK to promote a stronger understanding of the three registration categories: engineering technician (EngTech), incorporated engineer (IEng) and chartered engineer (CEng).
To apply for these titles, an individual must be a member of one of the 36 engineering institutions and societies currently licensed by ECUK to assess candidates.

Applicants must demonstrate that they possess a range of technical and personal competences and that they are committed to keeping these up-to-date and to behaving in a professionally and socially responsible manner.

The Engineering Council UK (ECUK), meanwhile, has reported a marked increase in the number of engineering professionals enquiring about registration for Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Engineering Technician (EngTech) status. It believes that this is a result of the increasingly competitive job market.

Professional registration is open to any competent practising engineer, with different levels and pathways available. The three categories - EngTech, IEng and CEng - have been developed to provide a progressive registration structure, reflecting the recognition that lifelong learning and career development are the norm, and will remain so whatever the short-term economic situation may be.

Applicants for any of the three levels need to join one of 36 professional engineering institutions licensed by ECUK to assess candidates. They will be required to demonstrate competence to perform professional work to the necessary standards, as well as show commitment to maintain their competence, work within professional codes and actively participate within the engineering profession.

“Evidence of employing registered engineering professionals is a frequent requirement for the award of contracts both in the UK and internationally,” said Andrew Ramsay, chief executive of ECUK. “So it is hardly surprising that registrants generally find it easier than non-registrants to gain promotion or a new job. As an added bonus, many employers place such high importance on registration that they are happy to pay the fees on their employees’ behalf.”

National Grid is among the organisations currently highlighting the advantages of employing professional staff who are already registered or plan to work towards registration.

Tony Moloney, National Grid’s manager, UK learning & development, said: “We are committed to maintaining a professional workforce. The advantage to us as employers is that by taking on registered engineers or technicians we have the assurance of knowing that our key personnel hold an internationally recognised mark of competence.”

The financial benefits of holding the letters CEng have recently been estimated in the Institution of Chemical Engineers’ (IChemE) Salary Survey 2008. The report reveals that chartered chemical engineers aged 45-54 can now earn, on average, around £7,000 per annum more than their non-chartered counterparts.

Further evidence is provided by the Engineering and Technology Board’s (ETB) 2007 survey of registrants, which demonstrates that average salaries for Chartered Engineers starts to significantly diverge from average salaries for non-chartered mechanical and electrical engineers from an early age, becoming around 40 per cent higher by age 45.

Andrew Ramsay added: “In the long term, maintaining registered status ensures that engineers are continually kept up to date with new developments in their profession. It also means that they are governed by a professional code of conduct and receive reminders and assistance in determining their obligations under this code.”