The UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) defines the value to become registered as a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng), or Engineering Technician (EngTech). It explains the detailed information about the requirements that need to be met for obtaining the mentioned qualifications, and provides examples about the ways through which the mentioned qualification can be achieved.
UK-SPEC requires employers along with individuals to identify whether they or its staff members can accomplish the requirements and describes the necessary steps for obtaining professional registrations from the Engineering Council.
In the UK, Chartered Engineer is recognized as the Engineer who is being registered with the Engineering Council (the regulatory body in British for the engineers). Contemporary Chartered Engineers are recognized as the degree-qualified and obtained the highest-level of professional competencies with the help of monitored and training experience professional practices, which is recognized as a peer-reviewed process. The evaluation of the mentioned processes for Chartered Engineer involves gaining authorized bachelor’s degree along with honours in either technology or engineering respectively. Along with this, the process also provides either an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) or an effective Master's degree authorized by an institution of professional engineering. A suitable future learning scope to Master's level along with a minimum of 4 years peer-reviewed experiences in professional postgraduate and ability for demonstrating the fulfillment of different skill-oriented criteria is also being included in the process. Chartered Engineer title is being protected by the civil law and is considered as the terminal engineering qualification. The Engineering Council manages titles of professional engineering across the country UK. Approximately 180,000 registrants from different countries, identifying as the Chartered Engineer is recognized as one of the recognizable qualifications in international engineering.
In UK, some of the engineering activities are being reserved for only licensed persons. Example of these activities involves areas like accepting aircraft airworthiness, road traffic engineering, engineering activities in some listed buildings, providing as geotechnical specialist against quarries, as well as certification of energy efficiency respectively.
Purpose of the UK-SPEC
Professional registration with Engineering Council is found to be based on the validation of commitment as well as competence. The UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) explains about requirements related to competencies and commitments that require to be adhered for the Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration. It incorporates different examples of activities that could display achievements of requirements. This further allows employers along with individuals to find out whether they or its staff members can accomplish the requirements of registration. Qualifications, which symbolize the essential understanding as well as knowledge, are found to be listed. However, it can be mentioned that there are some other different ways to demonstrate achievement.
UK-SPEC Competencies:
To become registered as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), Engineering Technician (EngTech) or Chartered Engineer (CEng), you need to prove your UK-SPEC competencies. Having fulfilled these requirements, you will be globally recognized as a competent engineer.
Qualifications required for registration
Engineering Council has specified that Chartered Engineers can be recognized by their characteristic features and ability in developing effective solutions to various engineering problems by harnessing existing or new technologies. Development of solutions is incorporated with creativity, accomplishment of changes and innovation. Chartered Engineers can develop, deploy and apply latest technologies, inculcate new ideas, promote efficient production procedure, construction and marketing concepts, management methods and pioneer evolutionary engineering services. Chartered Engineers are embedded with commercial and technical leadership traits as well as interpersonal skills.
CEng Requirements
CEng qualification is found to be a protected title along with global brand recognition as well as benchmark. In order to obtain CEng designation, it is important to have additional engineering qualification at MEng level or similar training as well as experience on UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) for demonstrating suitable commercial and technical leadership as well as management competencies.
In order to register as CEng, an individual or candidate should illustrate that they are competent professionally through professional, training and education practice. Even though many Chartered Engineers nowadays are engaged in acquiring Diplomas, honours degrees in mathematics or science, engineering, Higher National Certificate. During 1997, it is mandatory for Chartered Engineers to demonstrate their capability and willingness to further learning by completing four to five years (in Wales and England), five to six years (in Scotland) MEng integrated degree. Such demonstration can also be proved by pursuing relevant master degree after completing honours baccalaureate degree in cognate subject or engineering for four years (in England and Wales) or maximum five years (in Scotland). More details of different engineering degrees are scribed in the website of the Engineering Council.
Candidates willing to enroll in CEng have to illustrate their professional competencies of practice. Evidence for demonstrating professional proficiency has to be presented through personal and professional development gained in years of experience. In the final stage, candidates' competencies are verified and assessed through a professional peer review interview. In the Engineering Council website in-depth information about registering requirements are mentioned. Approximately eight to ten years are required to be committed by postgraduate trainees and university education to gain Chartered Engineering Qualifications. In Europe, Chartered Engineers are recognized and regulated by Directive 2005/36.
CEng Commitment Standards and Competence
Relative to CEng standard, below section abridge details about commitment and competence
What is competence?
Competence is recognized as the individual ability to perform a specific task at a high level of standard and in this case, it is found to be against the standard of UK-SPEC. It is found to be the amalgamation of the suitable level of skills, understandings and ability. You can improve your competence with the help of the combination of informal as well as formal experience, training and learning.
While you incorporate, five basic areas related to competence that needs to assessed are:
- A - Knowledge and Understanding
- B - Design, development and solving engineering problems
- C - Responsibility, management and leadership
- D - Communication and interpersonal skills
- E - Professional commitment
What is commitment?
The terms commitments illustrate about the engagements and dedication toward the profession of engineering, environment and society. While you incorporate, you will be required to demonstrate you have already adopted a specific set of behavior and values that foster effective reputation related to your profession.
You will be required to deliver some evidence:
- Applying as well as managing safe work system
- Comply with the Code of Practice
- Carrying out engineering activities in such a way that provides towards sustainable development
- Undertaking necessary CPD to enhance and maintain competence
- Participating actively in the profession
CPD Code for Registrants
Charter Engineers, Incorporated Engineers and Engineering technicians should encompass necessary steps for enhancing and maintaining professional competence using Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Some of the necessary steps are
- Responsibilities are to be taken for development and learning needs, then plans accomplish targets and assistance and suggestions from employers can be taken in this regard.
- Engagement with various development activities in accordance to developed plan and opportunities that arises.
- Keep record of CPD activities.
- Demonstrate what they have actually obtained or learned from CPD activities and document these reflections.
- Assess their CPD activities in respect to any objectives that are being set by them and document the evaluation.
- Reviewing the development and learning plan regularly along with assessment and reflection on the future requirement.
- Support towards others development and learning with the help of different activities such as sharing professional knowledge as well as expertise along with mentoring.
