Chartered engineer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term chartered engineer is a UK professional certification in engineering. There is often confusion between professional engineers and mechanics and technicians. In Britain anyone can call themselves an engineer due to protected status being awarded to the term "chartered engineer" and not just engineer.
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[edit] How to become a chartered engineer
The normal requirement is a relevant degree that is accredited by one of the UK's engineering institutions, plus a minimum of four years experience. This experience normally consists of two years in a graduate position where experience is gained in a number of different areas through three to six month placements, followed by two years in a position of responsibility in engineering. Throughout this time the engineer is overseen by a chartered engineer who acts as their mentor.
Once these requirements have been met graduate engineers can apply to the institution who accredited their degree to obtain the status of chartered engineer. Only institutions who are members of the Engineering Council are eligible to confer chartered status. The institution then arrange for the graduate to undergo an interview with two engineers familiar with the field to confirm their knowledge and understanding. The graduate brings with them a portfolio of their work from the previous four years that is signed off by their mentor.
If successful at the interview they are then placed on a register held by the Engineering Council. There were 188,367 chartered engineers on the register at the end of 2005. An annual fee must be paid to the members institution, and the status can be withdrawn for breaking the rules of that association.
The status of chartered engineer allows one to use the post-nominal letters CEng. Although the term confers higher status on the individual it does not automatically confer more power. In many companies the same work will be done by both chartered and non-chartered engineers. The exception to this in British engineering are those who work in nuclear, aeronautical or marine industries, where in some instances licences are required before being allowed to work in that field.
However the prestige associated with being chartered is growing, and most graduates of engineering degrees today will strive to achieve either chartered or incorporated engineer status. Some chartered engineers however do not pay the annual fee for Engineering Council registration. If they continue to pay the membership fee for their professional institution, they can legally refer to themselves as a chartered engineer, but cannot use the letters CEng. [citation needed]
Chartered status can be taken away from a person. Reasons include not paying membership fees and being found guilty of improper conduct. Members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) have a code of conduct to which they must conform, which contains the following words:
“Members shall exercise due care and consideration for the effects of their work on the health and safety of individuals and society.”
Members found to be guilty of improper conduct can have their membership permanently or temporarily removed, but as was noted earlier, membership of a professional institution is not a requirement of working in the engineering industry.
[edit] Other UK titles
- Incorporated engineer post-nominal IEng, typically requires a bachelor's degree.
- Engineering technician post-nominal EngTech, typically requires a National Diploma.
[edit] International titles
Some professional associations also accredit degrees outside the UK and all will accept engineers from other countries who meet the required standard of education and experience, though this may take longer to assess. Over 10% of CEng registrants are not UK citizens.
- Republic of Ireland - Chartered Engineer is a legally protected title with similar status in the Republic of Ireland as in the UK. It is administered by Engineers Ireland, and CEng is post-nominal.
- USA and Canada - The title Professional Engineer and post-nominal P.E. in some other countries such as the USA is similar to the UK chartered engineer. By contrast, being a professional engineer is a licence to practice.
- Australia and New Zealand - Chartered Professional Engineer is the term used in Australia and New Zealand, controlled by Engineers Australia and IPENZ (Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand). The post-nominal is CPEng.
- Europe - The status of European Engineer can be obtained by a similar process to that of chartered engineer (and additional fee) through many UK and European engineering associations. In this case the pre-nominal Eur Ing can be used, and the register is held by FEANI (Fédération Européenne d'Associations Nationales d'Ingénieurs). The principal advantage is supposed to be immediate acceptance of qualifications for engineers moving or working between countries. A UK applicant must be qualified as a Chartered Engineer. There are about 30,000 registered as Eur Ing, of whom 12,000 are from the UK.
In most European countries however the academic qualification alone is understood as showing fitness to practice, and the need for a separate qualification is not widely appreciated. A doctorate may be expected for many positions which would be held by a Chartered Engineer in the UK.
[edit] UK engineering institutions
Below is a list of some of the UK engineering institutions who can confer chartered status upon their members.
- IChemE: Institution of Chemical Engineers
- IMechE: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- IMarEST: Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (formerly the IMarE: Institution of Marine Engineers)
- IET: Institution of Engineering and Technology (formerly the IEE: Institution of Electrical Engineers)
- ICE: Institution of Civil Engineers
- CIBSE: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
- BCS: British Computer Society
- IStructE: Institution of Structural Engineers
- RAeS: Royal Aeronautical Society
- IOM³: Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
