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Questions on CEng, and also is it right for me?

KQ16


Hi All,

I’m looking for some advice.

Lately I’ve been contemplating an application for CEng.

I’m currently IEng registered with the UK Engineering council and have an accredited partial CEng BEng(Hons) in Electrical Engineering. I work for a well known organisation in the nuclear industry, designing safety critical reactor protection equipment. I’ve worked for other organisations developing power electronic systems and providing technical support on products for customers.

I feel I am at a cross roads in my career. I have undertaken a PGDip in business administration with the view to working towards completing an MBA. I have been looking at some managerial roles which ask for CEng in the application (the reason I’m contemplating CEng) although I must admit to me I feel that CEng should be reserved for the engineers who make the critical sign off decisions which if I’m honest I don’t think I have such experience to do this yet. As an IEng I have enough understanding and knowledge to know when a design is a little bit suspect perhaps, although I might not have the full technical understanding to resolve the issue.

CEng, as I understand it is for engineers who innovate products and have subsequent technical knowledge to solve problems and develop new analytical techniques.
What I would like to know is what counts as innovative, is it a new product based on an existing model. So for example is an iPhone5 (or whatever we are on nowadays) innovative or was it the mobile phone device which was the innovation?

I am a Senior Electrical & Instrumentation designer which sounds a nice title, but when I analyse myself critically to me I think it means nothing more than a ‘glorified draughtsperson’ whom creates models, drawings and formal bills of materials based on an engineers instructions. Would I be correct it thinking this type of role would not be ideal if one was looking to pursue CEng?

Furthermore, when it comes to underpinning knowledge and understanding for competence A, I notice that there is a caveat for people whom do not have the routine undergrad degree and MEng/Msc whereby a person can provide evidence of appropriate further learning to Masters level. How does this work? Is a PGDip in business admin relevant in this context? Is knowledge of range of software such as AutoCAD / Inventor appropriate further learning?

Also for some competencies, can one use previous examples, which were used in the IEng report? So if I had an example of where I promoted quality throughout the organisation in a previous role in my Ieng report to demonstrate some aspects of competence C could this be re-used? Or does one have to start from scratch with entirely new examples to satisfy for CEng?

Apologies for the long thread I just thought it might be wise to get some answers on these questions before proceeding with the application if I have not yet reached the competency level and/or perhaps CEng might not be what I’m looking for.
Cheers, K

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  • 0
    Hi K,


    I am afraid you are coming across one of the major problems - people make CEng a requirement for a job where it could be equally performed by someone who is IEng (and in some cases, performed better) and there are multiple threads on the forum on this issue. There is also the issue of what distinguishes CEng from IEng, which is another topic where there are multiple threads. If you want more information on these issues I would suggest searching the forum is the best option.


    When you say CEng might not be what you are looking for, only you are in the position to make that call. However you need to get what information you can in order to make the decision.


    Regarding innovation, here searching the forum will find threads with lots of advice about what is and is not required, as if you read UK Spec you will find that innovation is not actually required. If you are working in a highly regulated industry with significant levels of risk (and the example normally provided is the nuclear industry where 'innovation' can be frowned upon) then that counts as both highly regulated and with a significant risk.


    Regarding the examples used for IEng then it is dependent on whether they are adequate examples for CEng. Look at them very critically, consider how recent they are, and finally talk them over with someone to get a second opinion.


    My final bit of advice is probably the most important. Talk to a PRA. Here you can either go to the IET website to 'Find a PRA' or alternatively sign up for one of the (weekly) webinars that the IET hold on registration which may get you a chat with a PRA. Discussing your current role with a PRA will allow him/her to give an indication of whether you are on track for CEng or what gaps you still have which may need to be plugged.


    Best wishes,


    Alasdair
Reply
  • 0
    Hi K,


    I am afraid you are coming across one of the major problems - people make CEng a requirement for a job where it could be equally performed by someone who is IEng (and in some cases, performed better) and there are multiple threads on the forum on this issue. There is also the issue of what distinguishes CEng from IEng, which is another topic where there are multiple threads. If you want more information on these issues I would suggest searching the forum is the best option.


    When you say CEng might not be what you are looking for, only you are in the position to make that call. However you need to get what information you can in order to make the decision.


    Regarding innovation, here searching the forum will find threads with lots of advice about what is and is not required, as if you read UK Spec you will find that innovation is not actually required. If you are working in a highly regulated industry with significant levels of risk (and the example normally provided is the nuclear industry where 'innovation' can be frowned upon) then that counts as both highly regulated and with a significant risk.


    Regarding the examples used for IEng then it is dependent on whether they are adequate examples for CEng. Look at them very critically, consider how recent they are, and finally talk them over with someone to get a second opinion.


    My final bit of advice is probably the most important. Talk to a PRA. Here you can either go to the IET website to 'Find a PRA' or alternatively sign up for one of the (weekly) webinars that the IET hold on registration which may get you a chat with a PRA. Discussing your current role with a PRA will allow him/her to give an indication of whether you are on track for CEng or what gaps you still have which may need to be plugged.


    Best wishes,


    Alasdair
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