Professional Registration – It’s just about Chartership isn’t it?

I recall starting my career in the Process Industry and the ultimate target for engineers being a Chartered Engineer (CEng). I really believe that this isn’t treated with the same respect as other occupations such as Chartered Surveyors or Accountants. I’m not sure if this is due to the fact that in history companies didn’t recognise the commitment of the individual to gain the professional registration.

I’m glad to see that this is changing with many companies now offering to pay employees a salary uplift for the gaining of Chartership.

BUT this is just part of the story. There are actually another two professional registration levels, that of Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Engineering Technician (EngTech).

The three levels are aimed at different people, not everyone will be eligible for CEng as early in their career as others, if at all. This is where the IEng and EngTech come in. The majority of Professional Engineering Institutes (PEIs) offer all three levels. They are all applicable professional registration levels with peer review against criteria.

Incorporated Engineers are those who have a Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in a mid-level Engineer role. These engineers could be designing systems with supervision by senior Engineers, or on their own. They use the knowledge that they have gained from existing technologies applying them to solve problems. By working within project budgets and safe systems of work IEng’s can really contribute to a business and operating facility.

Engineering Technicians are exactly what it ‘says on the tin’, technicians. The life blood of the engineering disciplines of most process businesses. Yet there are very few being encouraged to register professionally. Why not? Do companies even know about the grade?

The benefit of a registered EngTech is that the technician has continued their understanding of technologies and market changes since leaving their formal trade training, be that as an apprentice or from college. Focused on practical technical skills the professional registration is suited to the roles.

I’ve come across many technicians who love their job and have absolutely no interest in heading off to university for a degree to move into an engineer’s role. So why not develop them as a technician and encourage professional registration?

I’d love to hear why the professional registration of most engineering disciplines within the process sector is limited to CEng. Likewise if individuals knew that these registration levels exist and have decided that registration wasn’t worth doing.