I would endorse Malcolm Joynson’s letter, ‘We can get status if we really want it’, in the March 2022 issue of E&T. I have been a member of the IEE/IET for over 50 years, and if anything our status has deteriorated. When I began my career, drivers of steam locomotives were referred to as ‘engineers’ by the media. Today, this has expanded to include technicians and repair service personnel. Moreover, the software industry feels free to use the title ‘engineer’ as it wishes.
Imagine the furore if building contractors called themselves ‘architects’, supermarkets called checkout staff ‘accountants’, or debt collectors were termed ‘lawyers’. Even highly experienced nurses would face disciplinary action for describing themselves as ‘doctors’, though many of their tasks were once performed by physicians. These professions militantly defend their status; engineers seem to be far too passive.
I would add to Mr Joynson...