This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Time for licenced Engineers?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
As a result of a discussion within a Linkedin group. I had originally raised the issue of the EC UK or IET legally licencing Engineers and had agreed to bring this discussion from Linkedin to the IET members in an appropriate community for a frank and open debate.

​The circumstances surrounding this discussion was the tragedy of Grenfell Towers and my personal observation that some of the alleged decision makers, had no technical qualifications to make decisions on public safety. I am wondering how far the inquiry will go to reveal that issue. 



As I currently work in Canada we do have an act of law governing the conduct of its licenced Engineers and this makes the Engineer have some higher degree of responsibility for public safety.


​Questions

1)    Given the impact of Grenfell, does EC(UK) have to now start considering licencing? What are the perceived hurdles to achieve this?

​2)    If not. What can we do within our profession to improve pubic safety with an objective to prevent another 'Grenfell' ?


I am ​Interested to get IET members responses.

Parents

  • Philip Smith:

    .... So I ask the question: Does three days of training make an engineer 'competent'?




    Unfortunately the answer is "It depends". Primarily it depends on the starting point. If the engineer already has a lot of relevant experience then the answer may be yes. If it is a new graduate then the answer is probably no.  However this is something very few of these "three day training courses" seem to assess.

    As far as recognition by law is concerned, I understand we already have that for Chartered and Incorporated Engineers (and I think also possibly for EngTech). More and more contracts are being awarded with the basic question having been asked : "How many of your engineers are Registered?" which I think answers the comment about the awarding of important contracts. However, we still have a long way to go.

    Alasdair

Reply

  • Philip Smith:

    .... So I ask the question: Does three days of training make an engineer 'competent'?




    Unfortunately the answer is "It depends". Primarily it depends on the starting point. If the engineer already has a lot of relevant experience then the answer may be yes. If it is a new graduate then the answer is probably no.  However this is something very few of these "three day training courses" seem to assess.

    As far as recognition by law is concerned, I understand we already have that for Chartered and Incorporated Engineers (and I think also possibly for EngTech). More and more contracts are being awarded with the basic question having been asked : "How many of your engineers are Registered?" which I think answers the comment about the awarding of important contracts. However, we still have a long way to go.

    Alasdair

Children
No Data