Qualityworld
Soapbox
Study and practise engineering for six years and you are well on the road to gaining recognition as a chartered engineer (CEng). However, despite this, the person who comes to put a new belt on your washing machine also calls himself an engineer. In fact it seems these days that anyone can call themselves an engineer regardless of background, learning or experience. I am not, of course, belittling the skills present in any of the trades or disciplines who borrow the title.
Several years ago, I tried to get the Engineering Council (since renamed the ECUK) definition of what an engineer is. They didn't have anything concise so the best I could come up with was: 'A person who, through an understanding of science and technology, applies such principles to a specific and practical end.' In fact, using this definition rightly includes many of the trades that borrow the title of engineer, but who decides?
In several countries the title engineer is protected by law for those who hold a recognised engineering degree. Some go further and require specific professional accreditation.There are even restrictions in the US and Canada where the title of professional engineer is protected. It usually follows, in these countries, that you then need formal recognition in order to practise and perform specific duties which then confers the duty to act responsibly and, ultimately, professionally.
In the UK, the titles chartered engineer (CEng), incorporated engineer (IEng) and engineering technician (EngTech) are covered by EU directives and corresponding UK laws but the requirements to hold such a title before practising it as a profession are few. I am not implying that industry doesn't look for the necessary competences but this is more often than not through sector-specific schemes.We have also seen an increasing raft of legislation for certain safety critical jobs. For example, your gas boiler has to be fitted by a CORGI registered fitter, and an appropriately qualified electrician must be employed for wiring up a kitchen. While I would not argue against any of these needs, I have to ask why there is currently no joining up of these schemes.
The three ECUK conferred titles (EngTech, IEng and CEng) cover the spectrum from technician to director but graduate engineers have traditionally seemed to view IEng as not making the grade.What we end up with is a situation where membership of the latter has far outnumbered the other two together. The situation is slowly changing as more graduates are opting to start their career with a bachelor's degree (which provides an entry route to IEng) rather than continuing studies for a master's degree (now a requirement for CEng).The ECUK is putting a lot of effort into broadening the registrant base but, as long as people can use the title engineer without challenge, it will remain a voluntary scheme where the main drive is peer recognition.
As science and technology progress beyond mechanics, chemistry and electricity, sweeping up mathematics, statistics and computing on its way (and even taking on disciplines like psychology), so we too need to broaden our viewpoint on engineering. We can't ignore the ever present management aspects but, surely, we must appreciate that we need skilled quality practitioners – quality engineers – on the front line. Managers manage. Engineers make it happen.
Do you agree or disagree? Join the discussion on the CQI forum.
