Supporting Excellence in Maintenance Engineering

However, this can only be fully achieved when everyone in a position of engineering responsibility is professionally registered with the Engineering Council, or with an internationally recognised equivalent.

The Institution of Plant Engineers (IPlantE) is a professional sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE). Its mission is the continuing improvement and elevation of the knowledge, skills and competences of all those involved with plant engineering.

What Professional Registration Demonstrates

Maintaining complex systems demands more than technical knowledge, it requires assurance that individuals tasked with engineering responsibilities have the competence, training and ethical awareness needed to make decisions that affect performance, safety and cost. 

That’s why professional registration matters. It provides a clear benchmark: that an individual has had their experience and capability independently assessed by professional peers, and operates to a standard appropriate for:

1. Applying proven techniques and procedures to the solution of practical engineering problems, i.e. roles typical of those registered with the Engineering Council as Engineering Technician (EngTech);
2. Positions of engineering responsibility involving managing and maintaining applications of current and developing technology, i.e. roles typical of those registered with the Engineering Council as Incorporated Engineer (IEng); or
3. Positions of engineering responsibility involving working to develop solutions to complex engineering problems using new or existing technologies, through innovation, creativity and embracing new ideas, i.e. roles of those registered with the Engineering Council as Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Confidence in Competence

When undertaking industrial maintenance, confidence in competence is essential. Professional registration offers this confidence by confirming that an engineer has demonstrated the right mix of technical expertise, experience and commitment to good practice.

However, current estimates suggest fewer than 3% of people working in the UK’s engineering economy are professionally registered. Common reasons include:

1. Confusion arising because anyone can claim they are an engineer, even if they have no engineering training or qualifications;
2. A largely poor understanding of the benefits professional registration has for society in general and those considering a career in engineering;
3. The mistaken beliefs that:
   a) being certified as competent to perform limited specific engineering tasks is equivalent to professional registration;
   b) a time-served apprentice, with vocational credentials supported by academic qualifications has no need for professional registration; and
   c) having studied engineering to Masters’ degree level and achieved a position with a reputable firm, there is no need to gain professional registration.

Raising the bar for industrial maintenance

Whether the goal is fewer breakdowns or smarter systems, none of it happens without engineering that meets the highest standards. To achieve this, we need:

1. Everyone in positions of engineering responsibility professionally registered. This gives assurance that:

1. everyone in positions of engineering responsibility have been subject to independent verification of attaining an internationally recognised standard of engineering competence and commitment; and
2. customers are able to have confidence that the engineering they use, directly and indirectly, is of the very highest standard.

2. Everyone involved with engineering being committed to approaching all tasks in accordance with the four fundamental principles for ethical behaviour and decision-making for the engineering profession.
3. A large flow of young talent into engineering. 
4. A flexible engineering workforce well equipped to embrace change. Continuing Professional Development (CPD), a requirement of being professionally registered, supports having a flexible engineering workforce ably equipped to move into and embrace new technologies. 
5. An efficient and low risk framework for recruitment to positions of engineering responsibility. Professional registration aids this, by giving assurance that those individuals have attained the required levels of engineering competence and commitment.

Society of Operations Engineers 

Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7630 1111

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.soe.org.uk