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Clarification on Acting as Both Supporter and PRA for the Same Application

Poonam Kumari

Hi All,

I would be grateful if you could clarify the guidance on potential overlap between my roles as a supporter and as a Professional Registration Advisor (PRA).

Previously, I have acted as a second supporter for several EngTech applications, providing statements of support based on my direct knowledge of the candidates’ professional experience. More recently, I have been appointed as an IPRA with the IET, which allows me to review applications and provide advice in the PRA capacity.

My question is: for applicants whose EngTech (or higher) applications I have already supported, am I also permitted to review their applications as a PRA, or would this be considered a conflict of interest? If not, should those applicants be redirected to another PRA for formal review while I continue in the role of supporter?

I want to ensure I am acting in accordance with IET and Engineering Council expectations, avoiding any potential conflict of interest, and providing the best possible support to candidates.

Many thanks for your guidance.

Kind regards,
Poonam Kumari

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  • 0

    absolutely no issues being a supporter and PRA. I see quite a bit of this where the same person acts in both roles for an applicant. 

  • 0 in reply to Gerard

    Absolutely, I have done it myself PROVIDED I know the applicant well enough to act as their supporter - and consider them to have met the competences. There is no conflict of interest, as a PRA we are making no judgement as to whether the applicant meets the criteria, only helping them to complete their application to be as clear as possible. So they are quite different roles, but if you are (for example) the line manager of an applicant of course it makes sense to both support them and to advise them as to how best to present their evidence clearly and completely.

    One thing to be careful of is that if you become known as acting as both a PRA and supporter it can then become embarrassing if you decline to act as the supporter for an applicant where you don't think you are able to agree that they have shown the competences. Where I have done both I have always advised the candidate that this is exceptional. (As a PRA we should be helping any applicant, even if we do not personally think they meet the criteria.)

    And definitely do not offer to act as a supporter unless you have strong personal knowledge of the applicant's work - usually because you are supervising them or working closely alongside them. You will be asked regularly to act as a supporter, so take that as part of the PRA role to explain to the applicant what the requirements are for supporters.

    Thanks,

    Andy

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  • 0 in reply to Gerard

    Absolutely, I have done it myself PROVIDED I know the applicant well enough to act as their supporter - and consider them to have met the competences. There is no conflict of interest, as a PRA we are making no judgement as to whether the applicant meets the criteria, only helping them to complete their application to be as clear as possible. So they are quite different roles, but if you are (for example) the line manager of an applicant of course it makes sense to both support them and to advise them as to how best to present their evidence clearly and completely.

    One thing to be careful of is that if you become known as acting as both a PRA and supporter it can then become embarrassing if you decline to act as the supporter for an applicant where you don't think you are able to agree that they have shown the competences. Where I have done both I have always advised the candidate that this is exceptional. (As a PRA we should be helping any applicant, even if we do not personally think they meet the criteria.)

    And definitely do not offer to act as a supporter unless you have strong personal knowledge of the applicant's work - usually because you are supervising them or working closely alongside them. You will be asked regularly to act as a supporter, so take that as part of the PRA role to explain to the applicant what the requirements are for supporters.

    Thanks,

    Andy

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