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

Are we scaling enough on IET with new engineering students?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member

Hi

this is a general topic. I don't have the understanding and I don't have current facts. 

when I was at engineering college studying BTEC, 4 years (1992 to 1996) none of my tutors ever spoke about IIE or IEE. None of them. I was not aware of Eng Tech, Ieng or Ceng. It was never suggested or advised by tutors to register with the engineering council.  I know me and other students would have taken it seriously.

I wonder today, are engineering colleges promoting IET and Engineering council? Eng Tech, Ieng, Ceng ?  

Am very curious on the current state of students of engineering, having this visibility and inspiration for recognition and career progression?

As I stated before, I don't have the current today facts. So am very curious.

 

 

  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    I think Universities promote IET, IMECH etc

  • I’m a little late responding to this; however, I mentor a degree student at the moment and professional registration is heavily promoted by the university. 

    Additionally, it’s something I promote internally as a member of the IET, as I believe there’s value in at least being aware of the UK-SPEC as a development guide. I hope it leads to professional recognition for those who meet the requirements and support anyone who wishes to go that route. We have students in our office who are TMIET and professionally registered due to their college studies; their goal is IEng and beyond through personal development. 

    I think educational institutions and their employees should promote PEIs; I suppose it depends if they're aware of the benefits, though!

  • Between 1999-2001, I completed a Trinidad and Tobago National Examinations Council (NEC) Technician Diploma. This is comparable to UK RQF Level 3. At no time was professional registration discussed during the programme. Probably because the Engineering Profession Act Chapter 90:01 laws of Trinidad and Tobago, has only one category of registration; namely, Registered Engineer (R.Eng). Candidates are expected to hold qualifications accredited for CEng, PE or PEng and four yours postgraduate experience. 

    On the other hand, during my B.Tech degree programme between 2004-2008, accreditation, IET membership and professional registration were frequently discussed. However, I must admit the vast majority of my class; including myself, didn't quite grasp its importance. More so because professional registration isn't mandatory to practise engineering in Trinidad and Tobago. The military is once such organisation where I served 12-years as a commissioned engineering officer. Such organisations tend to have their own internal competence framework and training to support. Nevertheless, certain civilian jobs requires statutory approval; hence, a registered engineer must sign and stamp. These are typically in the construction sector, land valuation and surveying, and regulated industries such as utilities. 

    I only became registered after leaving the military and taking an overseas assignment in the UK. This was after speaking with younger engineers with half my experience who were registered. My only regret is not doing it sooner. It MAY attract reciprocal registration and/or PE, PEng, CPEng licence attainment in other jurisdiction like Australia, Canada and USA in a couple of states.

  • Interesting comments which make me think that it may be down to the educational establishment, or even the individual faculty members.

    When I was at university studying we were all strongly encouraged to apply for student membership of the IET, and my memory of it is that it was one or two specific professors who were pushing this. As this was in our first year (1983-4) it is not something recent but I am interested to see the different experiences recounted above.

  • At university the IET was heavily promoted, presumably because many academics were members.

  • Hi,

    I provide specialist assessment services at a Further and Higher Education college in the south east and throughout their engineering department are posters about the I.E.T and becoming a member and also benefits about professional registration especiall EngTech, which makes sense given the environment. If I noticed these then hopefully all the students did as well and lecturers will engage in any students making enquiries. As others say depends how well rpomoted within each education/training institute.

    GTB