So there, I said it. I just jope people dont spray negative rants on this thread, hence my reopening it with an update of my journey.
Over the years I had been doubtful as to the direction and culture at the IET.
I started life as a sparky from Tottenham; I was placed straight into the management of jobs and worked my way up the ladder, as you do...
I watched updates to the wiring regulations change for what is seen by a majority (of the south east of the UKs shop floor sparks) as not for the betterment of the trade and devaluing an industry.
I joined the IET over 10 years ago as a member and started filling in the forms for IEng. Jobs being what they are nowadays (firefighting, poor design and programmes) I never got round to finishing it, I never had a mentor either, I am, and was deemed too controversial to support I suppose. But was needed by my employers to fix and solve their problems.
Still I am now a few months into my confirmed CEng status - yeeeeessss!
After the hardest form filling experience, it was worth it, the interview, of which I wanted to go well so badly involved me walking in a shaky emotional wreck which helped in the end as I was too tired and ended up being more me, making it an amazing interview thanks in kind to the calm and warm behaviours of my interviewers!
The best part if I have no degree, no HNC/HND just 20 years’ EXPERIENCE!
Am I proud hell yeah, was it worth it, hell yeah, what will I do next? Well since my last post became an Anti IET war ground for some. Here is my update. I am currently applying for my fellowship, why I want to inspire kids from council estates that they too can break down the nay sayers and attain the highest level of their trade; I want to benchmark where I am and show I meet the standard required and inspire others to. I am actually being mentored for this by two fellows, which is nice!
I speak regularly at technical seminars and industry conferences both and want to give back, and no one can stop me or you doing this.. Not even an employer! To one and all I suggest you do this I ahve speek at at least 4 events a year but in my own way on subjects which can be a bore to most.
That is what the IET has given me, the confidence, ability and gaul I never knew I had in me. The battle to get professionally registered was not with teh IET but myself, if I failed it would be on me, not them. I do want to help them maybe produce more wordy guidance on this in future as it tooks years to make sense of it when working full time with no mentor.
I am now however chuffed that they have accepted me not only a a CEng but as a Professional Registration Interviewer (PRI). I have also been made very welcome as a CPD assessor which in itself is great CPD! Why stop now, I hope to get published in journals and contnue speaking, even about the sesnitive topics in our industry!
And yes I have every confidence that eventually the IET will see the negatives incurred to the trade by last few amendments’ to BS 7671 and install a JPEL/64 committee of non-commercial driven entities with shop floor representatives from across all sectors (rail, social housing, nuclear, water, domestic, commercial, industrial, controls etc) to direct it to the land of common sense. As it stands the wring regulations are drifting out of scope for the rail industry as the minimum standard set bring us into operational risk.
The interviewers, committes and IET staff have been commendable and nothing short of fantastic...
So the message is; get involved, feedback in constructive ethical and polite ways, and have faith in the IET.
And if anyone wants to highjack this thread please feel free to call me or message me so we can discuss things, including your frustrations…
P.S. look up Abraham Lincolns failures before successes!
Regards
Paul Meenan CEng MIET MIAM PCQI
Courage doesnt always roar, sometimes courage is the quiet voice saying at the end of the day, I will try again tomorrow!
Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better.
Your dream doesn't have an expiration date, Take a deep breath and try again!
