UK-SPEC Third Edition
UK-SPEC Third Edition
UK-SPEC Third Edition
commitment
UK-SPEC
UK STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERING COMPETENCE
Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer Standard
Third edition
www.engc.org.uk
CONTENTS
Foreword
10
16
24
33
Glossary 36
Table of competence and
commitment standards for EngTech,
IEng and CEng registration
38
FOREWORD
Engineering is all around us, satisfying everything from our
basic needs to our more complex dreams and ambitions.
The engineers and technicians who make this possible
enjoy contributing to teams through technical endeavour to
sustain and improve lives. They possess an incredible range
of creative talent that is underpinned by their enquiring
minds and balanced by their intellect and judgement.
Society rightly places great faith in the engineering
profession, trusting engineers and technicians to regulate
themselves on its behalf. This trust can only be delivered
through significant individual commitment that is publicly
demonstrated by the attainment of the professional
competence and behaviours that are described in
this Standard.
The men and women who aspire to be recognised as
professional engineers and technicians require independent
assessment of their competence and commitment, and the
UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence
(UK-SPEC) provides the means to achieve this.
UK- SPEC has been developed collaboratively by members
representing the breadth of the profession, from industry
and academia, and from the many different disciplines and
specialisms that make up the Universe of Engineering.
THE PURPOSE
OF UK-SPEC
Professional registration with the Engineering Council is based on demonstration
of competence and commitment. The UK Standard for Professional Engineering
Competence (UK-SPEC) describes the competence and commitment
requirements that have to be met for registration as an Engineering Technician
(EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). It
includes examples of activities that could demonstrate achievement of the
requirements, to enable individuals and employers to find out whether they or
their staff can meet the registration requirements. Qualifications that exemplify
the required knowledge and understanding are listed, however it should be
noted that there are other ways of demonstrating achievement.
This document also explains the steps necessary to achieve professional
registration; the requirement to maintain and enhance competence once
registered; and the obligations to act with integrity and in the public interest that
are placed on registrants through their membership of a licensed professional
engineering institution.
A glossary of terms is included on page 36 and a matrix comprising requirements
for all three titles is provided as an Annex.
Why register?
Professional registration underpins the systems and processes that ensure the
current and future safeguarding of society. It provides employers, government and
society, in the UK and overseas, with the confidence that professionally registered
engineers and technicians possess and maintain the knowledge, skills and
commitment required to meet the engineering and technological needs of today,
whilst also catering for the needs of future generations.
Registration sets individual professionals apart from engineers and technicians
who are not registered. It establishes their proven knowledge, understanding and
competence. In particular, registration demonstrates a commitment to professional
standards, and to developing and enhancing competence.
Employers of registered engineering professionals have the assurance of knowing
that their employees have had their competence independently assessed,
their credentials verified, and their commitment to Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) established. They will have gained the recognition of
their peers as meeting UK standards for knowledge and experience, which
are internationally recognised. Maintaining registration requires continued
membership of a professional engineering institution, which ensures that
registrants are exposed to new developments in their profession, and provides
opportunities to benefit from these. It also means that they are governed by
a professional code of conduct, and receive assistance in determining their
obligations under this code.
4
International context
Many Engineering Council registrants are nationals of, or working in, countries
outside the UK. The standing of Engineering Technicians, Incorporated Engineers
and Chartered Engineers as defined by UK-SPEC is widely recognised around
the world. In some cases professional registration is required for particular work.
Professional registration can therefore be helpful when applying for jobs and
tendering for work abroad.
As well as reflecting the requirements of global engineering in UK-SPEC, the
Engineering Council is active within a number of multilateral mutual recognition
agreements with national engineering bodies in other countries. In particular,
the organisation was a founder member of the Washington Accord, which since
1989 has extended well beyond the original six English-speaking countries.
The Engineering Council has subsequently worked with international partners
to develop the Sydney and Dublin Accords, the International Engineering
Technologists Agreement and the International Professional Engineers Agreement.
Together with the APEC Engineers Agreement, governance of these now sits
within the International Engineering Alliance. In addition, the Engineering Council
has worked within the European Federation of National Engineering Associations
(FEANI) to strengthen the voice of engineers at the European level.
The Engineering Council continues to be committed to helping engineers and
technicians whose registration was in the UK, to contribute to engineering in other
countries, as well as to admitting to its register those who have developed their
professional engineering competence in other countries and can demonstrate that
they meet the UK Standard.
How to register
What is competence?
What is commitment?
THE ENGINEERING
TECHNICIAN STANDARD
Engineering Technicians apply proven techniques and
procedures to the solution of practical engineering
problems.
Engineering Technicians are required to apply safe systems
of work and are able to demonstrate:
Evidence of their contribution to either the design, development,
manufacture, commissioning, decommissioning, operation or
maintenance of products, equipment, processes or services
Supervisory or technical responsibility
Effective interpersonal skills in communicating technical matters
Commitment to professional engineering values.
The Competence and Commitment The examples given below are intended to
Standard for Engineering
help you identify activities you might quote
Technicians.
to demonstrate the required competence
and commitment for EngTech registration.
These are not exhaustive. Moreover,
you are not required to give multiple
examples to demonstrate competence and
commitment.
Engineering Technicians must be competent
throughout their working life, by virtue of their
education, training and experience, to:
A1
Review and select appropriate techniques,
procedures and methods to undertake tasks.
10
Describe:
an example of work you did that went well, the choices you
made and the outcome
or something in your work that you were involved in which
didnt quite work and explain why
or a technique, procedure or method you improved upon
and explain why.
A2
Use appropriate scientific, technical or
engineering principles.
B1
Identify problems and apply appropriate
methods to identify causes and achieve
satisfactory solutions.
B2
Identify, organise and use resources
effectively to complete tasks, with
consideration for cost, quality, safety, security
and environmental impact.
C1
Work reliably and effectively without close
supervision, to the appropriate codes of
practice.
C2
Accept responsibility for work of self or
others.
C3
Accept, allocate and supervise technical and
other tasks.
11
D1
Use oral, written and electronic methods for
the communication in English1 of technical
and other information.
D2
Work effectively with colleagues, clients,
suppliers or the public, and be aware of the
needs and concerns of others, especially
where related to diversity and equality.
Show examples of how this has occurred, and your role at the
time.
Describe your role as part of a team.
Describe a situation where you put your awareness into
practice.
E1
Comply with the Code of Conduct of your
institution.
E2
Manage and apply safe systems of work.
E3
Undertake engineering work in a way that
contributes to sustainable development.
1 Any interviews will be conducted in English, subject only to the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993 and any Regulations which may be made in
implementation of European Union directives on free movement of labour.
12
E4
Carry out and record CPD necessary to
maintain and enhance competence in own
area of practice including:
Undertake reviews of own development
needs
Plan how to meet personal and
organisational objectives
Carry out planned (and unplanned) CPD
activities
Maintain evidence of competence
development
Evaluate CPD outcomes against any plans
made
Assist others with their own CPD.
E5
Exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner.
13
Education
Professional development
14
15
THE INCORPORATED
ENGINEER STANDARD
Incorporated Engineers maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology, and
may undertake engineering design, development, manufacture, construction and operation.
Incorporated Engineers are able to demonstrate:
The theoretical knowledge to solve problems in developed technologies using well proven analytical
techniques
Successful application of their knowledge to deliver engineering projects or services using established
technologies and methods
Responsibility for project and financial planning and management together with some responsibility for
leading and developing other professional staff
Effective interpersonal skills in communicating technical matters
Commitment to professional engineering values.
The Competence and Commitment The examples given below are intended to
Standard for Incorporated
help you identify activities you might quote
Engineers.
to demonstrate the required competence
and commitment for IEng registration.
These are not exhaustive. Moreover,
you are not required to give multiple
Incorporated Engineers must be competent
examples to demonstrate competence and
throughout their working life, by virtue of their
education, training and experience, to:
commitment.
A Use a combination of general and
specialist engineering knowledge and
understanding to apply existing and
emerging technology.
A1
Maintain and extend a sound theoretical
approach to the application of technology in
engineering practice.
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A2
Use a sound evidence-based approach
to problem-solving and contribute to
continuous improvement.
17
B2
Contribute to the design and development of
engineering solutions.
B3
Implement design solutions and contribute to
their evaluation.
18
C2
Manage tasks, people and resources to plan
and budget.
C3
Manage teams and develop staff to meet
changing technical and managerial needs.
C4
Manage continuous quality improvement.
2 Any interviews will be conducted in English, subject only to the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993 and any Regulations which may be made in
implementation of European Union directives on free movement of labour.
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D2
Present and discuss proposals.
D3
Demonstrate personal and social skills.
E2
Manage and apply safe systems of work.
20
E3
Undertake engineering activities in a way that
contributes to sustainable development.
E4
Carry out and record CPD necessary to
maintain and enhance competence in own
area of practice including:
Undertake reviews of own development
needs
Plan how to meet personal and
organisational objectives
Carry out planned (and unplanned) CPD
activities
Maintain evidence of competence
development
Evaluate CPD outcomes against any plans
made
Assist others with their own CPD.
E5
Exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner.
21
Education
22
Professional development
23
THE CHARTERED
ENGINEER STANDARD
Chartered Engineers develop solutions to engineering
problems using new or existing technologies, through
innovation, creativity and change and/or they may
have technical accountability for complex systems with
significant levels of risk.
Chartered Engineers are able to demonstrate:
The theoretical knowledge to solve problems in new
technologies and develop new analytical techniques
Successful application of the knowledge to deliver innovative products and services and/or take
technical responsibility for complex engineering systems
Accountability for project, finance and personnel management and managing trade-offs between
technical and socio-economic factors
Skill sets necessary to develop other technical staff
Effective interpersonal skills in communicating technical matters.
The Competence and Commitment The examples given below are intended to
Standard for Chartered Engineers. help you identify activities you might quote
to demonstrate the required competence
and commitment for CEng registration.
These are not exhaustive. Moreover,
you are not required to give multiple
Chartered Engineers must be competent
examples to demonstrate competence and
throughout their working life, by virtue of their
education, training and experience, to:
commitment.
A Use a combination of general and
specialist engineering knowledge and
understanding to optimise the application
of existing and emerging technology.
A1
Maintain and extend a sound theoretical
approach in enabling the introduction
and exploitation of new and advancing
technology.
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A2
Engage in the creative and innovative
development of engineering technology and
continuous improvement systems.
B2
Conduct appropriate research, and undertake
design and development of engineering
solutions.
25
B3
Manage implementation of design solutions,
and evaluate their effectiveness.
C2
Plan, budget, organise, direct and control
tasks, people and resources.
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C3
Lead teams and develop staff to meet
changing technical and managerial needs.
C4
Bring about continuous improvement
through quality management.
D2
Present and discuss proposals.
3 Any interviews will be conducted in English, subject only to the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993 and any Regulations which may be made in
implementation of European Union directives on free movement of labour.
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D3
Demonstrate personal and social skills.
E2
Manage and apply safe systems of work.
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E3
Undertake engineering activities in a way that
contributes to sustainable development.
E4
Carry out and record CPD necessary to
maintain and enhance competence in own
area of practice including:
Undertake reviews of own development
needs
Plan how to meet personal and
organisational objectives
Carry out planned (and unplanned) CPD
activities
Maintain evidence of competence
development
Evaluate CPD outcomes against any plans
made
Assist others with their own CPD.
E5
Exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner.
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Education
30
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. It can happen at the same time as some of the formal
education referred to above, for example through an industrial placement during a
higher education course, or alongside part-time study.
Many larger employers run well-established graduate training and development
schemes. While these schemes are of course geared to the specific needs of
their organisations, they are frequently designed to help graduates on the way to
registration and may have been accredited by one or more of the institutions.
Potential Chartered Engineers in organisations without schemes of this type will
need to develop profiles of competence and professional activity to help them
prepare for registration. In some cases employers will use occupational standards
or competence frameworks in determining job descriptions and staff development,
and these may assist in developing a competence profile. Otherwise aspiring
registrants should use the competence and commitment statements and seek
advice and guidance from the relevant institution, which may be able to put them in
touch with a mentor to assist them through the process and help them address any
gaps in their development.
Those seeking Chartered Engineer registration should maintain a detailed record
of their professional development, responsibilities and experience, verified by
supervisors or mentors, to provide best evidence for the professional review (see
page 8).
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32
33
Guidance on Risk
This guidance, published by the Engineering Council, lists six principles to guide
and motivate professional engineers and technicians in identifying, assessing,
managing and communicating about risk.
1 Apply professional and responsible judgement and take a leadership role
2 Adopt a systematic and holistic approach to risk identification, assessment
and management
3 Comply with legislation and codes, but be prepared to seek further
improvements
4 Ensure good communication with the others involved
5 Ensure that lasting systems for oversight and scrutiny are in place
6 Contribute to public awareness of risk
For more information please see: www.engc.org.uk/risk
Guidance on Sustainability
This guidance, published by the Engineering Council, lists six principles to guide
and motivate professional engineers and technicians when making decisions for
clients, employers and society which affect sustainability.
1
2
3
4
5
6
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CPD has several purposes, which will vary in relation to registrants circumstances,
their needs and their career progression. Very often registrants will do CPD to
assure their continuing competence in their current job. At other times, CPD may
be done to enable a different role within or outside their organisation (which may
have more management content or which may not be a pure engineering role).
Equally, CPD may help them follow a longer term career development plan, or
to enhance their professionalism in a wider context than a specific job role. The
focus of registrants learning may therefore be on different areas of competence
at different times.
CPD can also take a variety of different forms. At its heart is informal learning
through the challenges and opportunities of working life, and interaction with
others (eg colleagues, customers, suppliers) including professionals from other
disciplines. However, this may be supplemented by structured activities such
as courses, distance learning programmes, private study, preparation of papers
and presentations, mentoring, involvement in professional body activities, or
relevant voluntary work. (This list is not intended to be exhaustive). Individual
registrants are best placed to determine their needs and how to meet them.
Often, employers or experienced colleagues will play a significant part in this,
but individuals should be responsible and proactive in seeking professional
development opportunities.
While most engineering professionals undertake CPD, this is often on a casual
basis, without any deliberate planning, recording of activities, or conscious
reflection. Whatever its purpose or nature, learning through CPD should be
reflective and should relate to specific objectives even if these are only to
maintain their professional engineering competence. Having a regularly reviewed
development plan will facilitate learning, although there will always be a place
for unplanned activities. Registrants should record both their CPD activities and
what they have learned or achieved through them, and relate this to any planned
objectives. Doing this will help them to determine their future needs and plan
accordingly, as part of a cyclical process. It will also encourage an outcome-based
approach which is more appropriate to professional learning than relying solely
on quantitative measures such as hours or points.
One of the main functions of a professional body is promoting and supporting
the professional development of its members. The professional engineering
institutions licensed by the Engineering Council advise and support their
members on CPD in a number of ways, such as providing guidance, resources
and mentoring programmes. A number provide CPD planning and recording
systems, and review their members CPD from time to time. They should in future
strengthen their support by reviewing a random sample of their professionally
active registrants CPD records each year and providing appropriate feedback.
The sample need not include retired registrants or those on career breaks for any
reason (eg maternity or paternity leave, parenthood, unemployment etc).
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Glossary
36
One of the professional titles available to individuals who meet the required standard
of competence and commitment. www.engc.org.uk/ceng
Competence
The ability to carry out a task to an effective standard. Its achievement requires the
right level of knowledge, understanding and skill, as well as a professional attitude.
It is part of the requirement (along with commitment) that must be demonstrated in
order for an individual to be admitted to the Engineering Councils register at the
relevant level.
Continuing Professional
Development (CPD)
The systematic acquisition of knowledge and skills, and the development of personal
qualities, to maintain and enhance professional competence. All members of
professional engineering institutions have an obligation to undertake CPD, and to
support the learning of others. www.engc.org.uk/cpd
Dublin Accord
Engineering Council
The UK regulatory body for the engineering profession that sets and maintains
internationally recognised standards of professional competence and ethics, and
holds the UK register of professional engineers and technicians. www.engc.org.uk
One of the professional titles available to individuals who meet the required standard
of competence and commitment. www.engc.org.uk/engtech
Exemplifying qualification
FEANI
One of the professional titles available to individuals who meet the required standard
of competence and commitment. www.engc.org.uk/ieng
Professional Affiliate
Professional development
The process by which an individual gains professional competence. It may take place
through formal and informal learning, and workplace training and experience.
Professional engineering
institution
Professional registration
Professional review
A peer assessment process to decide whether an individual has met the requirements
for registration. It is a holistic assessment of the applicants competence and
commitment against the relevant sections of UK-SPEC. For candidates seeking IEng
or CEng registration, this will include a professional review interview (PRI). Some PEIs
include an interview for EngTech candidates.
Part of the professional review process undertaken by registrant peers who are
trained and competent to do so. It is mandatory for IEng and CEng candidates. For
EngTech candidates, the interview is at the discretion of the institution.
QCF
The UKs national academy for engineering that works to advance and promote
excellence in engineering. RAEng provides analysis and policy support relating to
business and education, invests in the UKs research base to underpin innovation, and
works to improve public awareness and understanding of engineering.
www.raeng.org.uk
Royal Charter
SCQF
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. For HE reference points see:
www.scqf.org.uk
Sydney Accord
Similar to the Washington Accord, for Incorporated Engineers (in the UK) or
Engineering Technologists (see below). www.ieagreements.com/sydney
The UK standard which sets out the competence and commitment requirements for
registration with the Engineering Council as an Engineering Technician, Incorporated
Engineer or Chartered Engineer. www.engc.org.uk/ukspec
Washington Accord
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Engineering Technicians
must be competent
throughout their working life,
by virtue of their education,
training and experience, to:
Use a combination of
general and specialist
engineering knowledge
and understanding to apply
existing and emerging
technology.
Use a combination of
general and specialist
engineering knowledge and
understanding to optimise
the application of existing
and emerging technology.
Chartered Engineer
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
Table of competence and commitment standards for EngTech, IEng and CEng
38
Apply appropriate
theoretical and practical
methods to design, develop,
manufacture, construct,
commission, operate,
maintain, decommission
and re-cycle engineering
processes, systems, services
and products.
A2
Contribute to the
design, development,
manufacture, construction,
commissioning, operation
or maintenance of products,
equipment, processes,
systems or services.
A2
A2
A1
A1
A1
Describe:
an example of work you did
that went well, the choices
you made and the outcome
or something in your work
that you were involved in
which didnt quite work and
explain why
or a technique, procedure or
method you improved upon
and explain why.
Chartered Engineer
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
39
B2
B2
B1
B1
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
40
B2
B1
Chartered Engineer
Describe an experience or
instance where you have
had to accept personal
responsibility for seeing
a process through to
completion within agreed
targets.
Engineering Technician
41
Manage implementation of
design solutions, and evaluate
their effectiveness.
Follow the design process
through into product or service
realisation and its evaluation.
Prepare and present reports
on the evaluation of the
effectiveness of the designs,
including risk, safety and life
cycle considerations. Manage
product improvement. Interpret
and analyse performance.
Determine critical success
factors.
B3
B3
Implement design solutions
and contribute to their
evaluation.
Chartered Engineer
Incorporated Engineer
C2
Manage/contribute to project
planning activities. Produce
and implement procurement
plans. Contribute to project
risk assessments. Collaborate
with key stakeholders. Plan
programmes and delivery
of tasks. Identify resources
and costs. Prepare and agree
contracts/work orders.
C2
C1
C1
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
42
C2
C1
Lead/manage project
planning activities. Produce
and implement procurement
plans. Carry out project risk
assessments. Collaborate with
key stakeholders, and negotiate
agreement to the plans. Plan
programmes and delivery of
tasks. Identify resources and
costs. Negotiate and agree
contracts/work orders.
Chartered Engineer
Demonstrate effective
interpersonal skills.
C4
C3
C3
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
43
C4
C3
Demonstrate effective
interpersonal skills.
Chartered Engineer
D3
This could include an ability to:
Know and manage own
emotions, strengths and
weaknesses
Be aware of the needs and
concerns of others, especially
where related to diversity
and equality
Be confident and flexible
in dealing with new and
changing interpersonal
situations
Identify, agree and work
towards collective goals
Create, maintain and
enhance productive working
relationships, and resolve
conflicts.
1 Any interviews will be conducted in English, subject only to the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993 and any Regulations which may be made in
implementation of European Union directives on free movement of labour.
D2
Presentations, records of
discussions and their outcomes.
D2
D1
D1
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
44
D3
D2
D1
Presentations, records of
discussions and their outcomes.
Chartered Engineer
E2
This could include an ability to:
Identify and take
responsibility for own
obligations for health, safety
and welfare issues
Manage systems that satisfy
health, safety and welfare
requirements
Develop and implement
appropriate hazard
identification and risk
management systems and
culture
Manage, evaluate and
improve these systems.
Apply a sound knowledge of
health and safety legislation.
E2
E1
E1
Demonstrate a personal
commitment to professional
standards, recognising
obligations to society,
the profession and the
environment.
Make a personal
commitment to an
appropriate code of
professional conduct,
recognising obligations to
society, the profession and
the environment.
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
45
E2
E1
Demonstrate a personal
commitment to professional
standards, recognising
obligations to society,
the profession and the
environment.
Chartered Engineer
E4
E4
Carry out and record CPD
necessary to maintain and
enhance competence in own
area of practice including:
Undertake reviews of own
development needs
Plan how to meet personal
and organisational objectives
Carry out planned (and
unplanned) CPD activities
Maintain evidence of
competence development
Evaluate CPD outcomes
against any plans made
Assist others with their own
CPD.
Carry out/contribute to
environmental impact
assessments. Carry out/
contribute to environmental
risk assessments. Manage
best practice environmental
management systems, eg ISO
14000. Manage best practice
risk management systems
eg ISO 31000. Work within
environmental legislation.
Adopt sustainable practices.
Contribute to social, economic
and environmental outcomes.
E4
Undertake engineering
activities in a way that
contributes to sustainable
development.
E3
Undertake engineering
activities in a way that
contributes to sustainable
development.
E3
E3
Chartered Engineer
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
46
Exercise responsibilities in an
ethical manner.
E5
Exercise responsibilities in an
ethical manner.
E5
E5
Exercise responsibilities in an
ethical manner.
Chartered Engineer
Incorporated Engineer
Engineering Technician
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[email protected]
www.engc.org.uk
Registered Charity: 286142
First published 2003. Reviewed 2013. Published January 2014.
The Engineering Council encourages publication of extracts from this Standard, subject to attribution to Engineering Council.
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