Product category:
Engineering Education, Resources and Standards
News Release from: The Engineering Council
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 26 February 2003
Review of standards for registration of
engineers
A radical review of the standards for registration of engineers and technicians has resulted in the publication of the UK-SPEC draft specification.
A radical review of the standards for registration of engineers and technicians has resulted in the publication of the UK-SPEC (UK Standards for Professional Engineering Competence) draft specification The draft was issued for comment last week to a wide range of interested employers, institutions and educational establishments
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 28 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The specification consists of two documents - one concerned with the competences required by professional engineers, the other with those for engineering technicians.
In 12 pages of A4, the documents attempt to summarise the principal characteristics that will be required for 21st century practice, and indicate the way in which these competencies will be acquired.
Care has been taken to ensure that the great number of those striving to meet the requirements of the ECuk's current standard, SARTOR 3, are not disadvantaged.
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Considerable thought has also gone into ensuring the standard will be compatible with existing company schemes and education programmes - though some changes will be inevitable.
Steering Group Chairman, Professor Kel Fidler, Vice Chancellor of Northumbria University, said: "We have already consulted widely and hope that UK-SPEC will be seen to reflect the widespread wish to widen access to registration without compromising standards.
We have also taken into account the changing international scene and new developments in education and training - modern apprenticeships, foundation degrees and the successful widespread adoption of MEng degrees".
Andrew Ramsay, ECuk's Executive Director, said: "It is important we get this revision right.
Many of the good ideas that first appeared in the 1997 standard (SARTOR 3) were overlooked simply because of its lack of clarity, and the opposition generated by the decision to use an entry standard based on A-level points.
This time we are seeking a widespread consensus - particularly from industry - before we proceed to write the standard." Alan Clark, CEO of ETB, said: "We welcome this first important step in the review of professional registration in the UK.
The timing of this consultation means that the results of ETB research into industry views, and particularly research on Chartered Technologist and Professional Engineering Technician, will be available in good time to influence the final document.
UK-SPEC is available at http://www.engc.org.uk/registration/standards_review.asp.
Comments are invited from all interested individuals and organisations.
The deadline for receipt is 24th April 2003.
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