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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.

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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Whilst I agree the licencing of professional engineers is required I have to say we have been here before. Have look at the Finniston Report and review the IEE Secretary Dr. George Gainsborough's obituary (https://www.electricalreview.co.uk/news-mm/5976-118100) and his valuable contribution in this field. He held public consultations throughout the U.K. and generated a massive amount of support for his proposals. Unfortunately quashed the politics of the time, as referred to an article in Engineering News some time ago.

    I once contacted the BBC Today Programme to complain about BT technicians being called engineers as a policy by BT. The Producer of the programme groaned and said "that old chestnut"!
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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Whilst I agree the licencing of professional engineers is required I have to say we have been here before. Have look at the Finniston Report and review the IEE Secretary Dr. George Gainsborough's obituary (https://www.electricalreview.co.uk/news-mm/5976-118100) and his valuable contribution in this field. He held public consultations throughout the U.K. and generated a massive amount of support for his proposals. Unfortunately quashed the politics of the time, as referred to an article in Engineering News some time ago.

    I once contacted the BBC Today Programme to complain about BT technicians being called engineers as a policy by BT. The Producer of the programme groaned and said "that old chestnut"!
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