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There have been some changes to the titles available through the Engineering Council and how these are awarded. The International Engineering Technician (IntETn) is now being awarded through the Engineering Council for the first time, and some aspects of the European Engineer (EUR ING) title has recently changed.

The Engineering Council facilitates the mobility and recognition of engineers and technicians working internationally through partnerships and agreements to award international professional titles.

The ‘EUR ING Title’ is now known as the ‘EUR ING Certificate’. Delivered by ENGINEERS EUROPE, it is a guarantee of competence for professional engineers, facilitates their movement around the world, and encourages improvement in the quality of engineers by setting, monitoring, and reviewing standards.

To apply for EUR ING registration in the UK you must be a member of a professional engineering institution (PEI) and registered as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) with the Engineering Council. Candidates will now be able to apply via a streamlined online process using a new e-tool on the ENGINEERS EUROPE website, with assessors able to approve applications more quickly.

The Certificate will be due for renewal after five years, at which point evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) will need to be submitted and assessed. There will also be a change in the fees.

Engineers registered as EUR ING before January 2023 will retain their title and remain on the Register. The requirement of CPD for renewal does not apply to them and neither does the higher renewal fee.

In the first quarter of 2023 there have already been more than 60 applications for this new title compared to 76 applications overall in 2022.

For further details of EUR ING how to obtain EUR ING status please see the International section of the Engineering Council website.

We are also pleased to announce that IntETn(UK) registration is now open to Engineering Technicians who are registered with the Engineering Council and who have a relevant qualification, the competence for independent practice as an engineering technician, and at least one year of subsequent engineering work experience, as well as a commitment to maintaining their CPD.

The International Register of Engineering Technicians (IntETn) was launched in 2016 by the Agreement for International Engineering Technicians (AIET); the Engineering Council is the UK member of this Agreement, and holds its own section of the IntETn register.

Registration as an IntETn is renewable every five years and requires demonstration of continued responsibility for relevant engineering work and CPD.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is launching a new, fully funded Inclusive Leadership Programme. They are seeking to partner with engineers in industry who wish to become prominent role models of inclusion and who will work collectively with their fellow awardees to advocate for widespread systemic change across the engineering profession towards greater inclusion.

Ambitious engineering organisations wishing to take part should put forward a team of four individuals from different levels of seniority across the business. Over 18 months, this team will receive a carefully curated programme of inclusive leadership training, peer support, mentoring, coaching and/or sponsorship, which has been designed to enable each team member to lead inclusive practice from their position within the business. With support from the Academy, teams will then put their learnings into action by designing and delivering an inclusion-focused project to increase the inclusivity of their organisation’s culture or the engineering products or services they deliver. This is a fantastic opportunity for participants to build their professional networks inside and outside of their own organisation as there will be many opportunities to meet with other awardees to discuss challenges and share learnings.

If you are an engineer or leader working in industry at large, you can form a team and apply via their website by the deadline of 10.00am on Wednesday 10 May 2023. You can find all necessary information (including detailed guidance notes) on their website here: https://raeng.org.uk/inclusive-leadership. You can submit any clarification questions to diversityteam@raeng.org.uk in the meantime – please start the subject line with ‘Inclusive Leadership’. They will also be holding an optional online Q&A session for interested applicants on Tuesday 25 April from 4.15pm – 5.00pm. If you would like to attend the Q&A session, please email shelley.stromdale@raeng.org.uk and you will be forwarded the calendar invitation.

Robot Day offers physical and virtual free events for all ages. A typical event involves activities such as building a robot, hands-on coding and hearing from inspirational experts. There also artistic performances such as craft and dance workshops, as well as range of static and moving exhibits

Volunteers are urgently needed to help at Coventry College on Saturday 18 March with stewarding, assisting exhibitors, manning reception, etc. Refreshment and a light lunch will be provided for all volunteers. If you can help please email dw@dwiller.com. For more information please visit http://robotday.co.uk.

The celebration of engineering excellence is at the heart of our work. We awards prizes and medals to recognise and reward the very best engineering talent, whose achievements have a huge impact on society.

Several Academy prizes and medals for 2023 are now open for nominations; further information on each award can be found on the Royal Academy of Engineering website here.

The closing date for all awards is 5pm on Friday 4 November 2022.

Professor Rowe will bring a fresh perspective to our students as well as inspiring our up-and-coming female engineers to work towards a successful career and play their part in closing the gender gap within the industry.

To mark her appointment, we chatted to Professor Rowe to find out a bit more about her, why she was drawn to TEDI-London and what she hopes to achieve within her role as Visiting Professor.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ROLE WITHIN THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY.

My career began 20 years ago in the cutlery industry in Sheffield, where I worked as a Production Engineer for a company designing and manufacturing precision blades and hand tools. The skills I learned in this role allowed me to transfer into medical devices and surgical instruments just a few years later; I fell in love with medical technology and haven’t looked back since.

My career has given me the opportunity to work on some incredible projects both within the UK and internationally. These have spanned multiple aspects of engineering processes, including design, production optimisation, user interface development, packaging and manufacturing transfer.

Five years ago, I set up my first company and now run RED Medtech, a medical technology consultancy specialising in the technical, regulatory, and quality assurance aspects of bringing medical devices and patient care products to market. We work with clients that design, develop and manufacture a broad range of products, from dressings and surgical implants to inhalers and insulin pumps.

WHAT DID YOU STUDY AND HOW DID YOU FIND IT?

My adventure into engineering was somewhat unconventional; I actually studied Art & Design, English Language, and Design Technology, only realising that I wanted to work in the engineering industry after attending an Insight course through the Smallpeice Trust and experiencing Industrial Design and Engineering at a university for a week. Although having a more arts and creative background isn’t typically seen in engineering students, or even accepted on many engineering degree programmes, I managed to earn a place at Sheffield Hallam University to study a BSc in Engineering Design & Innovation. With lots of hard work to improve my understanding of the mathematical aspects of the course, I graduated with a First-class degree.

Many of my modules were centred around projects, so I had to work together with my peers to design solutions to real-world problems. It was very interesting to see how well our different skillsets complemented one another and enhanced the quality of our work, helping me understand early on how valuable multidisciplinary teams are when it comes to problem solving and project management.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE ROLE OF VISITING PROFESSOR AT TEDI-LONDON?

I was initially introduced to TEDI-London when I was invited to participate in a workshop alongside other industry partners, focusing on curriculum development. I was keen to be an industry supporter; not only because exposure to industry helps students develop a better understanding of what future employers will expect from them, but also so that I could gain a better insight into engineering education and familiarise myself with the technologies students use. It was great to see how much the students have access to in terms of equipment and facilities, and the campus has a real buzz to it.

What’s more, there are a few similarities in the admissions and teaching processes between TEDI-London and my own university. I have fond memories from university, and it gave me the opportunity as well as the tools I needed to get into the engineering industry. So, for me, it stems from a genuine belief in TEDI-London’s mission and a desire to give the same opportunities to the next generation of engineers.

HOW DO YOU HOPE TO SUPPORT TEDI-LONDON IN YOUR ROLE AS VISITING PROFESSOR?

I’m hoping to help students reach their full potential, perhaps through delivering a workshop or supporting them during timetabled teaching sessions. If the opportunity arose, I would also be open to co-designing and delivering a med-tech project.

I believe that teaching students how to apply basic principles in a practical way is really crucial in engineering education. Not only does this help to secure their understanding of the key theory, but it also gives them the hands-on experience that they will need to thrive in the workplace. My own work requires me to apply theoretical knowledge from a range of engineering specialisms, from software to materials science, to support the design and development of healthcare products. I look forward to using this example to help the students build their understanding of how engineering theory and techniques apply within the context of commercial projects.

FINALLY, IS THERE ANY ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO WOMEN HOPING TO GET INTO ENGINEERING?

Honestly, I would just say go for it and don’t be put off by anyone that tries to tell you that engineering isn’t for girls! There is a world of opportunity, change and innovation out there and, as long as you’re willing to work hard, you can add immense value within the industry. I work with numerous other female engineers, technical professionals, CEOs and co-founders who inspire me and bring a refreshing balance and perspective.

For all up-and-coming engineers, regardless of gender or background, I would encourage you to start growing your support networks as early as possible. It also helps to join a professional engineering institution and support organisations, such as The Institution of Engineering Designers, The Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Women’s Engineering Society.

If you’re aged 18 or over, and currently work as an engineer in England, Scotland or Wales, we’d love you to take part in our research about how engineers experience authenticity in the workplace. 

As part of a PhD study at Loughborough University, we’re looking to understand more about the link between your gendered experience of being an engineer, your experience of (in)authenticity at work, and your retention in engineering.

Want to know more?

Getting involved couldn’t be easier!  You’ll be asked to take part in:

• 3 online surveys over the next 3 months (3 x 10-15 minutes)

and/or

• an online interview (approx. 60 minutes)

In return, you’ll be contributing to the development of knowledge and future of engineering.

How do I get involved?

For more information, or to take part in the survey and/or interview, click here.

(The full link is: https://lborobusiness.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6ApOIG96AeXmzXg)

We are looking for aspiring entrepreneurs who have an engineering or technology idea that will help address some of today’s most pressing challenges. The programme will help participants refine their idea, make new connections, and learn the skills needed to launch a new startup. The 6 month programme includes the following support:

• Equity-free funding of £20,000 towards living and business support costs 
• Expert mentoring 
• Training, roundtables, and events 
• 1-2-1 coaching 

Who is eligible to apply

• Recent leavers from Further Education colleges (graduated since September 2016) who have a achieved a technical qualification (engineering or related subject) at levels 3-5
• Mid-or later-career engineers or technologists who have been working in skilled jobs and are seeking a career change as an entrepreneur

Deadline for applications: Monday 23 May

Programme starts: September 2022

Website and eligibility: https://enterprisehub.raeng.org.uk/programmes/regional-talent-engines/

Locations: NW, NE, Yorkshire and Northern Ireland

Contact: Lee.Gosling@raeng.org.uk for the North West of England and Northern Ireland or Dale.Woods@raeng.org.uk for the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside

The Amazon Future Engineer bursary is a national bursary programme aimed at supporting women A-level and BTEC/OCR (or Scottish equivalent) students from low-income households who wish to study computer science or related engineering courses at UK universities.

Women are still significantly under represented in engineering and technology in higher education. UCAS data on university application and acceptance figures for the 2020 cycle1 highlighted that women represent just 16% and 18% of accepted applications to computing and engineering degrees respectively. At the current rate of progress, parity of women on engineering degrees will not be achieved until 2085. We cannot wait that long.

These bursaries aim to help address under representation and accelerate the rate of progress. They will provide successful women applicants with a financial support package worth £5,000 per year for up to four years of study to cover expenses related to attending university, including tuition fees or accommodation and living costs.

By removing some of the financial barriers that may impact on university studies and career trajectory, recipients can remain committed to their courses and stand the best possible chance of success.

Awardees will also gain exclusive access to networking groups to meet positive role models, interact with like-minded peers, build long-term relationships, and benefit from collaboration opportunities.

To see if you are eligible and to make an application, please click here

Scheme closing date: Monday 06 June 2022

If you are a UK engineer or technician, the Royal Academy of Engineering wants to hear about your views on ethical engineering practice. As part of our audit, you have the chance to share your opinion and experience of ethics in engineering in an online survey:

▪ Part 1 contains questions about your own behaviours and motivations.

▪ Part 2 contains questions about how your workplace affects your behaviours and motivations.

▪ Part 3 contains questions about the values and behaviours that in practice seem important in your workplace.

Royal Academy of Engineering ethics audit – survey of UK engineers and technicians

By taking part, you will be contributing to an unprecedented benchmark for views on engineering ethics, one which will inform many activities in the coming months and years. This audit is part of the work coming from the new report Engineering Ethics: Maintaining society’s trust in the engineering. You can read more about the Academy’s work on ethics on our website.

Working as an engineer in the UK

In general, there is no restriction on the right to practice as an engineer in the UK. There are some areas of work, usually safety related, that are reserved by statute, regulation or industry standards to licensed or otherwise approved persons. You can find out more about these areas on our website.

Recognition of your qualifications

UK ENIC is able to provide support in the recognition of qualifications and skills of refugees and individuals in refugee-like situations. If you need guidance on recognition of refugee qualifications, or information on support they can offer, email UK ENIC at refugee@ecctis.com

Recognition of your engineering competence

Engineering Council registration is an internationally-recognised benchmark of competence and is recognised as desirable in many fields of engineering, but is not mandatory to work as an engineer.

Professional registration entitles you to the use of legally protected titles:
• Engineering Technician (EngTech)
• Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Information and Communications Technology Technician (ICTTech)
which may only be used by individuals who are registered with the Engineering Council.

To become professionally registered, engineers and technicians must be a member of and individually assessed by one of the professional engineering institutions (PEIs) licensed for this purpose by the Engineering Council. You will need to join one of the PEIs in order to become registered and they can offer advice on the requirements for registration, based on your individual circumstances. Many of the PEIs offer reduced fees for members in financial difficulty; ask your institution for more information about this.

Registration is renewable annually and requires continued membership of a PEI and compliance with codes of professional conduct, including a requirement to carry out Continuing Professional Development (CPD). You can find a short profile of each of the PEIs, with a guide to the professional registration process, in our Pocket Guide to Professional Registration.

Visas and work in the UK

General advice on visas and immigration is available on the UK Government website, with specific information for Ukrainian nationals. An overview of the Global Talent visa is available on the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Jobs for Ukrainians

For the benefit of Ukrainians and others who have been displaced or have lost their jobs due to war, the jobsforukraine.net, website has been created to help people who have fled to other countries and need to earn a living in order to support their families.

English language practice

The City of Sanctuary network runs ‘Conversation Cafes’ in most towns and cities where they are represented. These are for any asylum seekers or refugees to use as a drop in, with volunteers who are happy to sit and chat with anyone to improve their English and to signpost other help they might need. City of Sanctuary can also help with food, clothing, housing, legal issues, access to English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes etc and their website has a resources page for Ukraine. 

Academics
The Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) provides urgently-needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and many who choose to work on in their home countries despite serious risks. 

Led by The British Academy in partnership with CARA and other national academies, a new programme of Fellowships for researchers at risk will be supported by The Royal Academy of Engineering and funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Please email any enquiries about the scheme to researchersatrisk@thebritishacademy.ac.uk