Chartered engineer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term Chartered Engineer is a UK professional qualification in engineering. (In Britain anyone can call themselves an engineer; however titles such as Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer and Engineering Technician are protected by civil law.)
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[edit] What is a Chartered Engineer?
According to the Engineering Council UK (ECUK), 'Chartered Engineers (CEng) are characterised by their ability to develop appropriate solutions to engineering problems, using new or existing technologies, through innovation, creativity and change. They might develop and apply new technologies, promote advanced designs and design methods, introduce new and more efficient production techniques, marketing and construction concepts, pioneer new engineering services and management methods. Chartered Engineers are variously engaged in technical and commercial leadership and possess interpersonal skills.'
In order to qualify as a Chartered Engineer, it is necessary to demonstrate that one is professionally competent through education, training and professional practice. Typically, candidates must have a MEng degree or the equivalent. Until a few years ago, candidates were required to undertake two years' of post-graduation training followed by two-years of responsible experience; recently, the emphasis has shifted towards learning outcomes and candidates are required to demonstrate specific competences rather than simply 'doing time'. The final stage of assessment is a Professional Review interview conducted by two chartered engineers. Assessment will typically be carried out by the professional engineering institution that accredited the candidate's first degree, though this need not always be the case.
The title Chartered Engineer is legally protected in the UK, and Chartered Engineers have the exclusive entitlement to use the designation CEng after their names. Those with 'legacy' titles from individual professional engineering institutions may continue to use them: an example of this is the Chartered Electrical Engineer title awarded by the Institution of Electrical Engineers prior to 2002; however, such persons may only use the CEng designation if they hold ECUK registration.
Most professional engineering institutions have codes of conduct. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) code, for example, contains the wording:
“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. Note that membership of a professional institution is not generally a requirement to work as an engineer in the UK.
[edit] Other UK Titles
[edit] International Titles
Other professional titles include
[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 and IIE: Institution of Incorporated 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
- IOP: Institute of Physics
- InstMC: Institute of Measurement and Control
