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Back to Basics - TMIET & MIET

John Frankham
I came to the IET web site today hoping for some explanation of what these acronyms mean, and which one is appropriate for whom. Also, some detail on why one would want to be one or the other would be good.

I could find none of these answers. I know these are basic questions, but that is the point. I failed to even find an expansion of the acronyms let alone any other explanations. Just information on how to apply and discussions on whether to do so.



Perhaps I am a bit slow. Please let me know if I missed something obvious!
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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    John Frankham:

    In my humble opinion, this is where the confusion starts - "what is an engineer?".



    If the institution can't even get it's language straight and adopt some conventions for distinguishing between "technicians", "mechanics", "engineers", "professional engineers" (does this mean there is such a thing as an "unprofessional engineer"?), how can we expect the non-engineering public to appreciate the difference?




    In my opinion, Professional engineer (or just engineer) means one who earns a living as an engineer. Unprofessional can mean someone who doesn't act in accordance with the principles of good conduct as a professional engineer.



    Non-professional or amateur engineer (or engineer) can mean someone who doesn't earn a living as an engineer; for example, one who teaches say maths or science, but not engineering or works as a finance director or recruitment consultant or is an enthusiast or retired.



    The word engineer - in brackets above - applies to both professional and non-professional.



    If one takes it to the next level then a retired CEng could be classed as a non-professional or just engineer, since they are no longer earning a living as an engineer.



    I tend to think of the difference between a mechanic and technician - as one example - someone who repairs a vehicle, by identifying and replacing faulty or worn out parts; whereas a technician is someone who may have trained as a mechanic, but takes it to the next level, setting up instrument(s) to measure some output and analyse them against benchmark readings - for example when measuring the CO2 output from a car exhausts fume for an MOT test.



    The link below doesn't explain the distinction of job roles between TMIET and MIET and how one can transfer from TMIET to MIET. There are no examples given on how the EU directive works in practice. Without examples, the meaning of the directive is theoretical. And why no EU directive for TMIET?



    http://www.theiet.org/membership/types/designatory-letters/index.cfm


    Roger Greenwood:

    the whole website is geared towards insider use and is not very "welcoming" to outsiders, which is maybe how it is intended.




    I would describe it as consistent with a large amateur organisation coming to terms with its place in society, following the granting of a royal charter.



    Creating a plethora of membership and registration titles with cryptic style explanations is what makes the IET look amateurish; when describing real job roles - with images of engineers and technicians in their work environment - is what is needed to showcase the IET as a professional organisation.


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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    John Frankham:

    In my humble opinion, this is where the confusion starts - "what is an engineer?".



    If the institution can't even get it's language straight and adopt some conventions for distinguishing between "technicians", "mechanics", "engineers", "professional engineers" (does this mean there is such a thing as an "unprofessional engineer"?), how can we expect the non-engineering public to appreciate the difference?




    In my opinion, Professional engineer (or just engineer) means one who earns a living as an engineer. Unprofessional can mean someone who doesn't act in accordance with the principles of good conduct as a professional engineer.



    Non-professional or amateur engineer (or engineer) can mean someone who doesn't earn a living as an engineer; for example, one who teaches say maths or science, but not engineering or works as a finance director or recruitment consultant or is an enthusiast or retired.



    The word engineer - in brackets above - applies to both professional and non-professional.



    If one takes it to the next level then a retired CEng could be classed as a non-professional or just engineer, since they are no longer earning a living as an engineer.



    I tend to think of the difference between a mechanic and technician - as one example - someone who repairs a vehicle, by identifying and replacing faulty or worn out parts; whereas a technician is someone who may have trained as a mechanic, but takes it to the next level, setting up instrument(s) to measure some output and analyse them against benchmark readings - for example when measuring the CO2 output from a car exhausts fume for an MOT test.



    The link below doesn't explain the distinction of job roles between TMIET and MIET and how one can transfer from TMIET to MIET. There are no examples given on how the EU directive works in practice. Without examples, the meaning of the directive is theoretical. And why no EU directive for TMIET?



    http://www.theiet.org/membership/types/designatory-letters/index.cfm


    Roger Greenwood:

    the whole website is geared towards insider use and is not very "welcoming" to outsiders, which is maybe how it is intended.




    I would describe it as consistent with a large amateur organisation coming to terms with its place in society, following the granting of a royal charter.



    Creating a plethora of membership and registration titles with cryptic style explanations is what makes the IET look amateurish; when describing real job roles - with images of engineers and technicians in their work environment - is what is needed to showcase the IET as a professional organisation.


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