Being professionally registered, I won't vote, but thinking back about my own experience, I put it off for years because it was very daunting, even though I had been working in responsible positions with complex systems in some of the country's leading infrastructure projects leading to that point. The IEE was a very different place to the IET, but I guess it still looks like a big hill to climb.

The best advice I can give to anyone thinking of starting the process is speak to a Professional Registration Advisor, who will help take the veil of the mystical process, tell you what to expect based on your experience, and hopefully give you some advice on how to prepare for the interview.

Could you share whether attaining the status of Chartered Engineer has provided tangible benefits in your career , or was it primarily pursued as a personal achievement akin to my own aspirations.

I inquire for the benefit of those contemplating the extensive journey toward professional registration. As for myself, I have decided not to pursue reapplication. Should my current qualifications not suffice for recognition as an engineer, I am content to continue my career as an ECS Installation Technician. Upon considered reflection, I question the necessity of maintaining membership with the IET, particularly in light of the annual dues, given my current registration with ECS and IHEEM, which align closely with my specialisation in health and hospital installations. I wonder,  does the IET membership confer any additional professional advantages that would justify the expense? My career trajectory has many parallels with that of Michael Peace. Despite these similarities, he has attained the status of Chartered Engineer ? Although I continue to  practice in the field of electrical installation 

There is a prevailing sentiment within the profession that it systematically marginalizes the blue-collar practitioner. The encouragement to pursue an EngTech designation, rather than being recognized as an engineer, perpetuates the notion that the title of ‘engineer’ is exclusively reserved for those with an academic background

Forgive me but engineer is like leader. An unprotected title.

I know many people who really do push boundaries and I consider to be engineers in full no matter their background qualifications, yet all too often the vending machine breaks and an 'engineer' is called to fix it - and that's in an engineering company.

At the end of the day, it's your call my friend. I am chartered purely because it adds another string to my skills and qualifications bow and if that's what makes me stand out when interviewing for my next role - so be it.

In my extensive search, the term ‘leader’ appears to be conspicuously absent.

tricksandtraps said:

Forgive me but engineer is like leader. An unprotected title.

'Chartered Engineer', 'Incorporated Engineer' and 'Engineering Technician' are, however, protected iby legislation and Royal Charter..

AMK said:

Could you share whether attaining the status of Chartered Engineer has provided tangible benefits in your career , or was it primarily pursued as a personal achievement akin to my own aspirations.

That is, for me, really difficult to answer.

It's made things easier in some cases - in reality, I think, CEng and EurIng have been more recognizable internationally, and in certain specific sectors in the UK, but not all. In fact, in some sectors of the industry, there's an extra burden of proof to "work on the tools" if you are CEng (regardless of how you got there ... like an "inverted snobbery").

Post Grenfell, who knows?

When CEng, IEng and EngTech stopped being considered a "qualification" (by legislation - prior to that, it was consider a qualification legally and professionally) was a really bad day for industry in the UK, and at the time I don't think our UK Institutions:

(a) helped fight for the value of what we had; and

(b) realized what we would lose (and now, sadly, have lost).

Your message contained a reference to Grenfell (Tower Fire) and indirectly to Dame Judith Hackitt proposals to fix the construction industry.

What is the name of the UK law (so I can review it), that disallowed people who are CEng, IEng and EngTech from being considered qualified.

How did it pass muster at the IET - did  Dr. Joanna Cox (IET Head of Policy) approve it?

On another topic mentioned in another of your messages- Has the IET obtained a new extension of the Royal Charter from your new King?

Peter Brooks

Palm Bay Florida 

AMK said:

Could you share whether attaining the status of Chartered Engineer has provided tangible benefits in your career , or was it primarily pursued as a personal achievement akin to my own aspirations.

Initially for the latter reason, I have a pretty awful degree and I thought being CEng might distract recruiters from that. I don't actually think that works, recruiters who are only worried about tick boxes for qualifications won't get distracted from them by anything, and engineers involved in recruitment are (quite rightly) usually more interested in actual track record. Still, since my employers were paying for it it was worth a try.

However, nowadays the first part applies - it is a requirement for my job that we are Chartered. Why? Because I work in a consultancy, and it's part of our credibility that those at Principal level have been accredited by a third party as showing professional competence. I possibly could have got my first consultancy job without being Chartered (I possibly could have got it just on my industry reputation), but possibly not, and in any case they would have needed me to get it asap.

AMK said:

Could you share whether attaining the status of Chartered Engineer has provided tangible benefits in your career , or was it primarily pursued as a personal achievement akin to my own aspirations.

Initially for the latter reason, I have a pretty awful degree and I thought being CEng might distract recruiters from that. I don't actually think that works, recruiters who are only worried about tick boxes for qualifications won't get distracted from them by anything, and engineers involved in recruitment are (quite rightly) usually more interested in actual track record. Still, since my employers were paying for it it was worth a try.

However, nowadays the first part applies - it is a requirement for my job that we are Chartered. Why? Because I work in a consultancy, and it's part of our credibility that those at Principal level have been accredited by a third party as showing professional competence. I possibly could have got my first consultancy job without being Chartered (I possibly could have got it just on my industry reputation), but possibly not, and in any case they would have needed me to get it asap.