Good morning. I have recently decided to apply for an EngTech accreditation. I completed all the applications and supporting evidence, which I sent to a PRA for review. Apart from satisfying all the criteria for EngTech, he commented that my evidence leans more towards IEng. After checking the academic qualifications, I soon discovered that you also require a degree or other forms of higher education......which unfortunately I do not hold. My question is, has anyone gained IEng status without and degree's or higher education (BEng, BSc, etc)? Kind Regards Simon
I thought that it might be helpful to draw attention to the tradition of linking the registration categories to formal qualifications. For many decades in the UK this was quite rigid. Some professional institutions in the UK and government sponsored bodies in many countries (like immigration) still rely on formal qualifications.
Since the IET evolved (from IEE & IIE) it has used formal qualifications as “benchmarks”. So for example an IEng should be demonstrating knowledge and understanding at “Bachelors level”. Holding an accredited degree is the best way to show that, with a good relevant degree also close to ideal. However, other combinations of qualifications and/or work-based learning can create an equivalence, which the IET will recognise if it is clear from career achievement.
To achieve recognition as IEng then you must be able to demonstrate successful (ie “competent”) performance as a “responsible engineer”. The UK-SPEC competence framework attempts to differentiate in a generic way between and “Engineer” and a “Technician”. There isn’t a perfect dividing line and there is overlap, but an engineer should take enhanced technical and management responsibility.
Typically, a Technician is expert in specific applications of engineering, such as for example routine design, installation or maintenance and as such can operate within the scope of their skills with minimal supervision. They may also supervise and “sign off” some types work as suitable, or in good order. If this is what you hope to illustrate by being Eng Tech, then it is perfectly satisfactory for your needs. Many technicians have great expertise in respect of the equipment and systems that they work with, especially the practical elements, which some more “academically grown” members of the profession may lack.
If you are clearly meeting the requirements of IEng, then that should be your choice, but I wouldn’t want you to seek IEng only to be disappointed because you fell short in one or more aspects. Your PRA’s comment “evidence leans more towards IEng” , doesn’t necessarily suggest a strong and “complete” IEng case. Can I suggest that you clarify further.
I thought that it might be helpful to draw attention to the tradition of linking the registration categories to formal qualifications. For many decades in the UK this was quite rigid. Some professional institutions in the UK and government sponsored bodies in many countries (like immigration) still rely on formal qualifications.
Since the IET evolved (from IEE & IIE) it has used formal qualifications as “benchmarks”. So for example an IEng should be demonstrating knowledge and understanding at “Bachelors level”. Holding an accredited degree is the best way to show that, with a good relevant degree also close to ideal. However, other combinations of qualifications and/or work-based learning can create an equivalence, which the IET will recognise if it is clear from career achievement.
To achieve recognition as IEng then you must be able to demonstrate successful (ie “competent”) performance as a “responsible engineer”. The UK-SPEC competence framework attempts to differentiate in a generic way between and “Engineer” and a “Technician”. There isn’t a perfect dividing line and there is overlap, but an engineer should take enhanced technical and management responsibility.
Typically, a Technician is expert in specific applications of engineering, such as for example routine design, installation or maintenance and as such can operate within the scope of their skills with minimal supervision. They may also supervise and “sign off” some types work as suitable, or in good order. If this is what you hope to illustrate by being Eng Tech, then it is perfectly satisfactory for your needs. Many technicians have great expertise in respect of the equipment and systems that they work with, especially the practical elements, which some more “academically grown” members of the profession may lack.
If you are clearly meeting the requirements of IEng, then that should be your choice, but I wouldn’t want you to seek IEng only to be disappointed because you fell short in one or more aspects. Your PRA’s comment “evidence leans more towards IEng” , doesn’t necessarily suggest a strong and “complete” IEng case. Can I suggest that you clarify further.
