What is a Chartered Engineer?

 

Chartered Engineer (CEng) is one of three professional qualifications (CEng; IEng; EngTech) for engineers registered with the Engineering Council UK (ECUK). Registration is essential to proving yourself as an engineer and making sure that you continue to get better, and progress, at your job.

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Chartered Engineers provide creative solutions to engineering problems. They develop and apply new technologies, promote advanced designs and design methods. They introduce new and more efficient production techniques, marketing and construction concepts, pioneer new engineering services and management methods. They are involved with technical and commercial leadership and possess excellent interpersonal skills. All professional engineers must demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to society, to their profession, and to the environment.

What is a professional engineer?

The UK's best engineers and technicians are registered by the Engineering Council UK [ECUK] as Chartered or Incorporated Engineers or as Engineering Technicians. 

Why Register? - Chartered Engineers

• Personal development
  Part of your CV development and opportunities to widen career choices.
• Personal achievement
  Satisfaction of achieving an independent, well established, internationally recognised award.
• Client confidence
  Knowing you can assure consistent service.
• Employer assurance
  Demonstrated competence to contribute professionally to the business.

How to go about it

The UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence, Chartered Engineer and Incorporated Engineer Standard lists the generic competences that have to be demonstrated in order to achieve registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates who believe they measure up to these, or who wish to work towards them, should approach one of the listed engineering institutions to obtain further details of how to apply for recognition and registration. There is also a list of institutions, with web links. at:

http://www.engc.org.uk/registration/inst_addresses.asp

Type of qualifications/experience needed? 

Registration as a Chartered Engineer is open to everyone who can demonstrate that they can perform professional work to the necessary standards. They must also commit to:

• Maintain that competence
• Work within professional codes
• Participate actively within the profession

Education

Formal education is the usual, though not the only, way of demonstrating the underpinning knowledge and understanding for professional competence. The following qualifications spell out the necessary knowledge and understanding:

An accredited* bachelors degree with honours in engineering or technology, plus either an appropriate masters degree accredited* or approved by a professional engineering institution, or appropriate further learning to masters level or an accredited* integrated MEng degree.

Click here for a searchable accredited courses database

Applicants who do not have exemplifying qualifications (such as above) to demonstrate the required knowledge and understanding may do so in other ways, but must clearly demonstrate they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding as those with the qualifications. Applicants should consult the institution to which they are applying for advice on the most appropriate option.

Professional development

This is the other key part of developing competence. It is how potential Chartered Engineers learn to apply their knowledge and understanding, and begin to apply professional judgement.  Although it usually follows formal education it can happen at the same time. For example, through an industrial placement during a higher education course, or alongside part-time study.

Opportunities for progression?

Registration links a professional engineer into a professional engineering institution. These have been assessed by the Engineering Council UK as capable of providing comprehensive professional development guidance and opportunities, with regular publications and web access to assist in this, and many opportunities to network with colleagues with similar professional interests. Institution contacts click here:

Registered Engineers can occupy a wide and prominent range of senior positions in many sectors of the economy - see, for example, section 8.1 in Digest of Engineering Statistics 2003/04.

Further information

Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
Engineering Technician (EngTech) 
Professional Engineering Institution

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