The importance of PEI membership

But regardless of whether you’re seeking a new position or simply eager to progress where you are, you will need to prove your capabilities to do the job and to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have learned. Membership organisations help people get the recognition your commitment deserves; the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), a Professional Engineering Institute (PEI), exists to support operations engineers. The IPlantE, a professional sector of SOE, specifically represents plant engineers involved in all aspects of fixed and mobile machine assets’ operation. 

Institutional Change 

During the Covid-19 pandemic membership organisations were forced to rethink their business models. Benefits that had been so highly valued by members were no longer deliverable given government restrictions that sought to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. The pandemic gave membership organisations like the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) time to find out exactly what its members wanted; time to listen, to reassess.

Changes that were due to be made gradually were made immediately. Rooted as they are in tradition, change at institutions can be difficult to implement but now the situation demanded it. Membership organisations firmly put member’s needs first and shifted the focus more towards online membership experience and engagement. For many membership organisations, the pandemic instigated change that has positively transformed their operations.  

Who are members of SOE?

Membership of SOE and IPlantE falls into the three broad groups: the first, which includes engineering trainees, apprentices, undergraduates and graduates, are beginning a career in plant engineering. The second, Associated Members (AMSOE AMIPlantE), typically have an interest in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the integrated equipment, systems and machinery that form plant. Members (MSOE MIPlantE) and Fellows (FSOE FIPlantE) are the third, engineers whose experience covers the broad spectrum of engineering skills that form plant engineering. They also have the academic and additional learning in engineering or technology with at least the minimum time of training and experience required to be registered with the Engineering Council. 

Why become a member? 

By gaining recognition of your professional engineering skills and competencies, employers and customers gain reassurance. IPlantE has a specific focus on plant and equipment operation being conducted safely, ethically and at ever-higher levels of sustainability and efficiency. Further, you are signed up to a code of conduct, take pride in your career, keep your professional knowledge up to date and have met the standards of a PEI.

Gaining professional registration through the Engineering Council is why many people join a PEI. Professional registration for those operating plant underpins the systems and processes that ensure the current and future safeguarding of society. It provides everyone with confidence that by using registrants, society is using individuals for plant engineering that have qualifications which are independently verified, have and maintain the knowledge and skills required of registrants, have signed up to ethical standards set for registrants and have an internationally recognised qualification benchmarking individuals as competent engineer. 

Professional development

Membership of SOE at MSOE or FSOE levels provides a gateway to professional registration with the UK's Engineering Council as Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng). All of these are internationally recognised qualifications. Also, for those with the appropriate skills and experience, registration with the Society for the Environment as Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) and Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv).

SOE can support and guide you, offering a personal, professional and friendly service. Whether it’s through sharing knowledge, providing practical advice, or gaining professional registration, it can help you take the next step. 

In SOE’s case, support comes in the form of Operations Engineer, the leading CPD journal that can help improve skills and knowledge in maintenance and repair. Also, a strong calendar of events, aimed at keeping members’ CPD up to date. For apprentice, student and newly qualified members, it offers content and articles to help them pass their next interview or brush up on their presentation skills.

For the more experienced member, there is support for professional registration. At SOE this includes a mentor for Incorporated and Chartered Engineer applications and workplace assessment for Engineering Technician.  For all members, SOE offers online monitoring and recording of individual’s CPD. 

PEI for businesses

PEIs such as SOE, are not just for individuals. Organisations benefit from partnering with a PEI. Organisations gain an advantage by demonstrating to existing and potential clients their drive and commitment to professional standards for, in IPlantE’s case, all aspects of plant and equipment operation. It enables organisations to benchmark their staff qualifications, improve the skills they already have, and unlock potential.

As with individual membership, it provides everyone with confidence that your organisation is committed to using individuals for plant engineering that have qualifications which are independently verified, have and maintain the knowledge and skills required of registrants, have signed up to ethical standards set for registrants and who have an internationally recognised qualification benchmarking them as competent engineers.

Clearly the often overlooked tools for gaining recognition of engineering skills and competencies are there to be used and gained from. Access to such recognition is via an appropriate PEI, such as SOE’s IPlantE in the case of those conducting engineering associated with the operation of plant and equipment. 

While there are many forms of desired recognition, they will all depend on society’s understanding of the value gained by everyone from engineering being conducted by those having the appropriate qualifications and experience and being signed up to appropriate codes of conduct and CPD.

Membership of an appropriate PEI and registration with the Engineering Council provides such evidence of an individual being one who has the appropriate qualifications and experience and is signed up to appropriate codes of conduct and does CPD. They have differentiated themselves and gained the extra tools.