I have been an IET (IEE) member for quite a few years. I joined when I felt that I had reached the required level of competence/responsibility. The process at this time was fairly simple, the main problem was finding sponsors and seconders.

As I was working for a major electric wire and cable manufacturer at the time this was a little surprising but I think it highlights one of the main problems:

IET membership is not actually relevant to most industries.

I am not aware of anything I actually need to be MIET CEng to do. I have to have my radiation safety qualifications otherwise my employer is not allowed to operate the facilities. This requires me to have a science or engineering degree. Others will need specific (usually safety) qualifications to carry out various tasks but MIET is not a requirement.

In other lands there are specific ‘Professional Engineer’ requirements but these don’t seems to apply in Europe.

How could I persuade a bright young engineer to take the time to apply for IET when she/he is building up their career, dealing with buying houses, starting families, etc. What is the relevance?

I have been an IET (IEE) member for quite a few years. I joined when I felt that I had reached the required level of competence/responsibility. The process at this time was fairly simple, the main problem was finding sponsors and seconders.

As I was working for a major electric wire and cable manufacturer at the time this was a little surprising but I think it highlights one of the main problems:

IET membership is not actually relevant to most industries.

I am not aware of anything I actually need to be MIET CEng to do. I have to have my radiation safety qualifications otherwise my employer is not allowed to operate the facilities. This requires me to have a science or engineering degree. Others will need specific (usually safety) qualifications to carry out various tasks but MIET is not a requirement.

In other lands there are specific ‘Professional Engineer’ requirements but these don’t seems to apply in Europe.

How could I persuade a bright young engineer to take the time to apply for IET when she/he is building up their career, dealing with buying houses, starting families, etc. What is the relevance?

i agree with this and this is a conversation I've had many time, and not just with young engineers.

Ultimately the Engineering Council and the professional institutions need to work on the perceived value of professional registration. There are a few niche areas where a CEng is required. But otherwise, its a nice to have. For many companies is largely irrelevant. Its only when you get into consultancy areas, where a client might ask about the profiles of the engineers that are proposed to work on the project, that the desire for professional registered staff tends to drive employers to better support/encourage it..

At this point, we are largely in the personal benefits, such as how it tend to make you think about how you develop yourself and how you present yourself. But those sort of skills can be developed without professional registration.

I'm firmly of the opinion that the horse has already bolted on the subject of making engineer a protected title - which seems to be many peoples answer to the problem.

Inclined to agree- I do not belong, and it has not been any hindrance in a long and varied, and still ongoing consultancy career.  It is not something on the customer RADAR,. Folk ask about the qualifications, sure, and the sort of recent jobs and publications stuff (more of this and less of the qualification stuff as you get older). What bodies do I belong to ? Never been asked. (I've been asked to show my driving licence more often and that is only a few times this century... maybe my driving has calmed down.)

If the IET had a profile like the BMA it would be different. but when is the last time someone from the IET was on the 6 O'clock news offering the opinion of the profession after some accident or other, or to comment on the results of  the latest research ? I lack a reason to shell out to join an  organization not many folk have heard of - except on here of course ;-)

Mike.

Thanks for your post Roger. I think there are two parts to this. Firstly, being an IET member (MIET) and secondly applying for Professional Registration. If you are looking for ways to encourage your engineers to join the IET or become professionally registered - this may help.

Being a member of the IET gives you a 'home' with likeminded people to enhance & develop your skills and knowledge. Having access to events, seminars, training courses, communities, mentors, Career manager, and many other resources to support you in your career. With a focus on CPD, being an IET member is a great way to remain informed and  up to date. Having the post nominals of MIET or TMIET also adds credibility, displaying your commitment to the industry.

IET members and their immediate family also have access the IET benevolent fund – Foothold. Foothold provide support in many aspects of life which could be beneficial to people going through big life changes, some of which are mentioned in your post. Take a look at some of their case studies to see the amazing support they provide to our members. Foothold and the IET - Foothold (myfoothold.org)

Once you are an IET member, you can then look to apply for professional registration if you so wish.

Professional Registration (CEng, IEng, EngTech & ICTTech) allows you to demonstrate the high level of competence you have achieved in your career. As the Engineering Council set out & maintain the UKSPEC, anyone achieving professional registration is showcasing their competence, commitment, and expertise in their field to the high standards that are required to be evidenced. Being on the Engineering Council’s register also backs up that credibility and professionalism. Standing out in the industry opens up more opportunity for progression either within your organisation or in a new role elsewhere.

Finding supporters for professional registration has been simplified a great deal over the last few years. The criteria is now to have just 1 supporter with direct knowledge of your roles & responsibilities – such as your line manager. You can chose to have up to 3 supporters if you wish.  Supporters no longer need to be working at a senior level to you either – often peers are the best people to verify your work.

Becoming professionally registered is really a personal choice. It may not always be required in your role, however is is a personal achievement to be proud of. I hope this help to encourage your engineers to think about becoming professionally registered in the future. All the best.

A trade union will offer similar (possibly better?) social/soft benefits as the IET. It is hard to show any real benefits of joining the IET to a young engineer. As Mike said where is the public face of the IET? If it is offering ‘position statements’ such as this I cannot consider it a good selling point.

https://engx.theiet.org/f/discussions/29789/how-can-we-develop-an-effective-sustainable-energy-strategy-that-also-ensures-a-just-transition/134823

To be ‘salable’ the IET should be taking the lead in areas like this rather than just reporting on it.

https://engx.theiet.org/f/discussions/30458/using-touchscreens-for-basic-controls-in-vehicles/140923

Other than the Wiring Regulations where does the IET actually publicly display any engineering or technology? Where is it’s relevance?

How long long have you been a member and professionally registered? It would be good to hear why you continue your membership depite the problems you see with the IET.

I have been professionally registered and an IET (IEE) member for more than 30 years. I fully support the concept of proof of competence, continuing professional development etc. I do not think the IET presents itself well and makes it difficult to encourage others to join. I remain a member at the moment, however I am 65 next month and will probably not renew my membership after that. I have the hope that I can have more influence from inside than from outside but that is probably just wishful thinking.

Louise Chapman said:

Being on the Engineering Council’s register also backs up that credibility and professionalism. Standing out in the industry opens up more opportunity for progression either within your organisation or in a new role elsewhere.

Louise Chapman said:

Becoming professionally registered is really a personal choice. It may not always be required in your role, however is is a personal achievement to be proud of. I hope this help to encourage your engineers to think about becoming professionally registered in the future.

I'd better start by saying that I'm a PRA, and was an IET mentor for very many years. But further than that, my day job is as an Independent Safety Assessor, which involves me checking organisations for the competence of their staff, and part of the evidence its most definitely useful to see is evidence of Professional Registration.

BUT.

I would have to agree with the points made here that professional registration is simply not recognised across the majority of the engineering industry. I don't know if it's still the case, but certainly many years ago it could even be seen as a hindrance in a number of industries and organisations - a mark of someone who was more interested in getting letters after their names and "pen pushing" than doing actual engineering. My take on this is slightly different to some of the comments made here, I think this is an extreme shame for engineering as a profession. (As will become clear I disagree with that view, at least as it's assessed today, but I understand totally where it came from.) I honestly see the process of working towards professional registration as one that achieves raising standards in the profession - having spent very many years recruiting and manging engineers and technicians at all levels imaginable I find the standards in UKSpec to mark exactly the professional approach I would want to see in those staff. Whether in the very "institute friendly" industry I work in now or in the very "institute sceptic" industry I worked in for the first part of my career.

I think we have a challenge, and we need to recognise as an industry that we have a challenge. So I think we do need to be honest that the letters "CEng" or "IEng" or "EngTech" might not in themselves help your career (as others have said, it so much depends on which industry, and which branch of that industry, you work in). But going through the application process, and therefore being forced to think about what it means to be a well rounded engineer or technician who will actually add value to a business and be a pleasure to work with, really will help your career. And if individual engineers and technicians can see that then when they in turn become managers then they are more likely to look for it in the their staff.   

Thanks,

Andy

I joined the IEE in 1994!

I was them involved with various Branch committees for a long time before minor things like having a family. My CEng is primarily based on the back of that experience more than technical responsibility in my job role.

However, these days I'm more involved with INCOSE UK (or IfSE as it will be), which has more suitable publications and events for Systems Engineers like me.

But why keep my membership and CEng?

I have found that my CEng has got my CV a second glance or filtered up the pack (although I could transfer my CEng). I put a lot of work into my CEng, so dropping it feels very wrong. A lot of companies won't pay you extra for a CEng, but the actual engineering managers know what it is and many do value it.

I wouldn't mind achieving FIET at some point which is definitely influencing me to stay.

Ultimately, although I work in Systems Engineering, its microcontrollers and related technology that actually perk my interest the most. So I am still an electronics person at heart.