IMechEImproving the world through engineering
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Professional Registration through the IMechE
David BarrettRegional Manager
North West, N Ireland, RoI
Myths
You can’t achieve professional registration under 35.You must have a full Masters degreeYou have to sit a special examination.It’s only relevant for large organisations.Experience doesn’t count – you have to have a university degree.It takes years to gain professional registration.It’s only for young graduate engineers
Excuses
I’ve been meaning to get round to this for ages, but…….Sounds good but I hear it’s very complicated.It won’t make any difference to me in my company.There are no Professional Engineers in my companyI haven’t had the time.
Agenda
Who we areTypes of membershipBenefits of membershipHow to become a Professionally Registered EngineerQuestions and Answers
Vision and Purpose
VisionImproving the world through engineering
Setting the agenda Developing professional engineers Inspiring the next generation
Purpose To lead and promote professional engineering
Values
The IMechE expects all its members and employees to commit to the Vision and the Values of:
Professionalism Integrity High ethical standards Respect for people and the environment Innovation
Who we are
One of the most prestigious and well known Professional Institutions in the world.
founded in 1847 by George Stephenson
almost 80,000 members in 120 countries
located in Birdcage Walk in Central London
a learned society
a guardian of standards
a voice for the profession
Profile of a Professional Engineer
Exercises independent, technical judgement and decision making
Is dedicated to creativity, innovation and continuous improvement
Accepts complexity and minimises ambiguity
Has professional and personal integrity
Profile of a Professional Engineer
Adapts to rapid change
May have direct responsibility for professional & technical staff
Plays a key role in wealth creation
Takes an active part in the training and development of young engineers
3 Types of Professional Registration
•Chartered Engineer (CEng)
•Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
•Engineering Technician (Eng Tech)
Chartered Engineer ( CEng)
•Develops appropriate solutions to engineering problems, using new & existing technologies.
•May design and apply new technologies.•May promote advanced design & design methods•May pioneer new engineering services & management methods.
Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
•Characterised by ability to act as exponents of today’s technology through creativity & innovation technology•Maintain & manage applications of current and developing technologies.
•Variously engaged in technical & commercial management.
Engineering Technician (EngTech)
•Applying proven techniques/procedures to solutions ofpractical engineering problems.
•Competent in exercising creative aptitudes/skills within defined fields of technology
•Contributes to the design/development/manufacture/commissioning/operation & maintenance of products, processes & systems
C Eng / IEng / EngTechFIMechEFellowFellow
C Eng / IEng/ EngTechMIMechEMemberMember
AssociateAssociate AMIMechE
REMEMBER: IMechE is there to help YOU at every stage of your career
REMEMBER: IMechE is there to help YOU at every stage of your careerAffiliateAffiliate
From non member to member….
•has the required Academic profile
•has developed competence through having completedappropriate Initial Professional Development
•can demonstrate the evidence of gaining the required levels competence as a Professional Engineer by writing a Professional Review Report (not required for EngTech)
•Attendance at a Professional Review Interview (not required for EngTech.)
Membership provides
• International recognition of professional competence
• ‘I know that I am professional. The letters after my name make sure that others know too.’
• Enhanced employment opportunities
• A medium for lifelong Professional Development
Membership provides
• Involvement in the development of profession• A network of technical & social contacts• Access to events, publications, info’ & library servicesand business centre
• Professional Engineer mailed out every 2 weeks• Other specialist publications available• www.imeche.org
Professional Registration
Academic Requirements
UK SPEC highlights that there is a route to Professional Registration for all competent
engineers
Academic Benchmarks
Eng Tech
NC/ND (OND)NVQ3/SVQ3
City and GuildsB TEC
SCOTVECTech Certificate fromApproved Apprentice
Programme
Professional Development
Academic Benchmarks
Professional Development
IEng
BEng / BSc
HNC/HNDFoundation degree
+Further Learning
Professional Development
Academic Benchmarks
CEng
Professional DevelopmentMEng
BEng (Hons)+
Further Learning Professional Development
Alternatives to Accredited Degrees
• A non-accredited engineering degree that meets the requirements of EC(UK)
• Other relevant degree (e.g. physics) where the holder can demonstrate equivalent engineering academic knowledge
• Engineering Council examinations or alternatives
• Technical Report Route
Technical Report RouteTechnical Report Route
• For people without formal academic qualifications,but meet the competence requirements
• 2,500 -10,000 word technical report required (dependent on prior experience)
• Can be written around work based projects
Professional Registration
Initial ProfessionalDevelopment
Initial Professional Development
• A good grounding in basic engineering principles that builds onacademic knowledge
• Likely to be achieved in a position of professional responsibility
• Development should be such that an individual is capable of demonstrating competence as an engineer
UKSpec Competencies
Standards set/defined by Engineering Council on behalf of the UK engineering profession.
Establish proven knowledge, understanding & competence
Registrants being competent throughout their working life by virtue of education, training & experience.
Competence based assessment
There are five generic competence headings, with differing requirements for each type of Professional Registration
> A) Knowledge and understanding
> B) Practical applications
> C) Leadership skills
> D) Communication and interpersonal skills
> E) Professional conduct
To become Professionally Registered you must be able to demonstrate having level 3 in 3 of the competencies and level 2 in 2.
Competence based assessment (A)
Use a combination of general and specialist engineering knowledge and understanding to optimise the application of existing and emerging technology (CEng) – to apply existing & emerging technology (IEng)
> used/developed emerging technologies
> well thought out problem solving including justified creative solution
> considered all possible outcomes for resultant product
> identified and met customer needs for product
> developed processes and techniques which enhance productivity/quality
> demonstrated clear understanding, and application, of engineering principles if at management level
Competence based assessment (B)
Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems (CEng) – to the design,development,manufacture,construct, commission, operate & maintain,products, equipment, processes, systems & services (IEng)
> managed project through entire life cycle
> managed technical and non-technical staff within the project
> responsible for delegating tasks
> identified and resolved problems before they occurred
> approved and evaluated design drawings
> produced tender documentation, feasibility studies or technical specifications
> (de)commissioned equipment
> responsible for corporate engineering policy
Competence based assessment (C)
Provide technical, commercial and managerial leadership (CEng) –technical management (IEng)
> project/line manager or team leader responsible for technical and non-technical staff
> supervised (multi-disciplinary) team based projects in research and/or development programmes or problem investigation
> active participation in design review
> contributed to development of improved processes
> in-house training and development of technicians, skilled craftsmen and/or engineering graduates
Competence based assessment (D)
Use effective communication and interpersonal skills
> Communicated effectively and concisely (verbal and written)
> evidence of presentations to colleagues, customers and suppliers
> papers given at conferences
> evidence of established working relationships
> able to articulate ideas and proposals and obtain agreement from others
> prepared tender documents and technical specifications
> developed small teams within a project/line-management environment
Competence based assessment (E)
Make a personal commitment to live by the appropriate code of professional conduct, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment
> understands health and safety issues within the remit of responsibilities
> considered environmental risk and disaster recovery
> understands professional code of conduct
> aware of sustainable practices and legislative issues
> understand how career is to develop in the medium term
> evidence of external activities
Scoring Competence - UK SPEC
Level 1 - Aware> Performs activity with significant supervision and
guidance> Performs basic routine tasks; little or no responsibility
Level 2 - Familiar> Performs activity in a range of contexts> Supervision only required in more complex circumstances> Some individual responsibility or autonomy
Level 3 - Skilled> Performs activity in some complex or non routine contexts> Significant responsibility and autonomy – can oversee the
work of othersLevel 4 - Expert
> Performs activity in a wide range of complex or non-routine contexts
> Substantial personal autonomy – can develop others in the activity
How do you demonstrate having those UKSpec skills & competencies?
The Professional Review Report
The Professional Review Report
What is it?
A 2500-3000 word report (double spaced and typed)An opportunity to prove yourself as a Chartered or an Incorporated EngineerA confidential documentWritten in the first person singularSigned by a sponsor – CEng/IEng (not necessarily Mechanical)Assessed by the interviewers before your interview
Professional Registration
Structure of Professional Review Report
must provide evidence of competence acquired through IPD
introduction - brief summary of career
main text - critique of your experience
Suggest you select projects which demonstrate range and depth ofyour role and responsibilities
Professional Review Report
•Identify size of project (£)
•How problems identified & resolved
•Technical content - depth & breadth
•Use of new & emerging technologies
•Safety, quality & environmental issues
•Your level of responsibility & autonomy
•Where and how your role fitted in
•Leadership skills - direct or indirect
•Any budgetary and/or planning control
•Technical and commercial restraints
•Evidence of verbal & written communications skills
•Learning points
Professional Review Report
Remember, the report is all about YOU: I did…, I lead….., I organised…
Highlight, for example:
> what you have done
> where you pushed forward the frontiers of knowledge
> where you introduced/worked with new technology
> how you saved money
> how you worked within the budget, to timescale, and how you were successful
Professional Registration
Application and Interview
The Interview – what is it??
Not an examination
Not a question and answer session.
Not an ordeal!!
The Interview
• A discussion among 3 professional engineers.
• Your platform to verbally demonstrate your competence as a professional engineer.
• Lasts about 45 minutes.
• You can expect to do 75% of the talking!
Mandatory interview based on:
• application form• the Professional Review Report• Development Action Plan• demonstrating competence
Professional Registration
Interview Format
• with an interview panel• Interviews officer present • discussion based on professional review report or MPDS reports• will be assessed against competence statements• interviews take place throughout the country.
Professional Registration
Interview panel will be judging:
• level of responsibility & professional judgement• length of time as professional engineer (i.e experience)• approach to problem solving• awareness of role of engineer in society• presentation skills• commitment to CPD
Interview outcome
• Interview panel recommendation goes to Professional Review Committee
• Secretary advises outcome…• Election to MIMechE or• If the interview is not successful, re-apply in one or two years
Professional Registration
Application requirements for membership
• completed application form• sponsorship by professional engineers• proof of academic qualifications• professional review report• attendance at interview
Professional Registration
Look at the Guidance Notes which are contained in the Membership Pack (available via the IMechE website)
Look at the competence statements in the guidance notes. Be honest in how you think you relate to them.
Look at the industry competence profiles on the website.