How did you achieve professional registration?

I have just gained my CEng, through the non-academic route.



I started with EngTech, when I passed by ONC/HNC back in 1992. I gained LCGI with City and Guilds, then IEng with the IIE. Following this I did a level 3 management qualification, lots of professional development type courses, until, I finally applied for CEng in May 2013.



My employment history does cover a lot of senior and management roles, and I do have a patent application too.



To be honest, using Career Manager V2, did make some aspects a little more difficult, but I found the whole process from applying, presentation and interview to final decision quite easy. All I did was follow the IET guidance.



Now I have to wait for the Engineering Council to send me my registration number before I can use CEng.

Colin Harris:

I have just gained my CEng, through the non-academic route.



I started with EngTech, when I passed by ONC/HNC back in 1992. I gained LCGI with City and Guilds, then IEng with the IIE. Following this I did a level 3 management qualification, lots of professional development type courses, until, I finally applied for CEng in May 2013.



My employment history does cover a lot of senior and management roles, and I do have a patent application too.



To be honest, using Career Manager V2, did make some aspects a little more difficult, but I found the whole process from applying, presentation and interview to final decision quite easy. All I did was follow the IET guidance.



Now I have to wait for the Engineering Council to send me my registration number before I can use CEng.

Congratulations and well done. You did it the hard way, so you are a very real Engineer as opposed to Enjuneer. It's good to see that the IET and EngC are awarding CEng where it's deserved. I also took the protracted route and it isn't easy...........which makes it all the better when you achieve it.

My experience was the stuff of nightmares!



So much confusion, so many hoops to jump through, so many mountains to climb, so mant heated discussions, so much diasappointment. 



Then I got my PRA who was absolutley superb. I am indebted to Suzanne Flynn for all her help. She had a greater confidence than I ever had.



But the interview went well and I got it. The relief was instant.



Out of curiosity, Colin; did you have a PRA?

Hello David.



No, I didn't have a PRA.



At my current employer, we have a number of people that can advise, and offer guidance for professional registration, but I decided to follow the IET guidance instead.



It's been a long 6 weeks waiting for the decision, but I am relieved that it is done.

Blimey. Six weeks. Have you got any nails left?



I heard after about a week by telephone. Once I had my dimploma, I was offered a role as a PRA, which I accepted.



It's interesting to hear everyone's experiences.

Hi folks,



I currently have EngTech registration which i gained not long after my apprenticeship completion. I am now looking on the path to IEng and CEng. I may also need to go down the non-academic route as I do not currently have a degree, however i am studying part-time at the OU for this.



Does anyone have any advice with regards to going for IEng and CEng and knowing when you are ready?



Alex

Hello Alex,



There are people who can help you; namely a mentor and a PRA (Professional Registration Adviser).



A mentor should be able to offer encouragement and will have knowledge of the requirements for IEng and CEng. The requirements for both of these categories are in UKSPEC  http://www.engc.org.uk/ukspec.aspx



The PRA comes in later in the process. The registration department is also very helpful.



It's all about demonstrating that you can fulfil the competences in UKSPEC. It isn't all about degrees. Anyone can achieve CEng or IEng if they meet the requirements.



I hope this helps.



Dave.

I became an IEng many years ago and more recently moved to CEng. I followed academic - Underpinning knowledge and understanding (UK&U) and experiential learning routes combined for both levels of registration and I have also been a volunteer in numerous roles for many years of the IIE, IEE and the IET.



I have found volunteering very rewarding and am presently involved as a PRA, Manufacturing TPN chair and Manufacturing Policy Panel member. I believe this (volunteering) can add to your IET experience and supports certain aspects of the registration process for the development of the (our) engineering professions.



I also found the process challenging and at times the waiting for an answer can be frustrating, however as noted by other contributors to this discussion, it is all about the result.

Hi Kevin,



Glad to see that you are keen to kickstart your journey to professional registration!  I may be slightly biasedas I work directly with candidates working toward professional registration, but my top tips for getting started would be:



Read up on the UK-SPEC competences if you haven't already done so and consider which registration category is right for you; you can find these either on the website or in Career Manager.



If you don't already have a mentor then you may want to consider getting one (as has been previously mentioned in this thread) - either within your company or through the IET's mentoring service.



Kind Regards,



Kathryn Bain

IPD & Mentoring Service