Fast track to technician qualification

An Institution of Engineering and Technology product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 20, 2006

The IET is offering employers a fast-track route for their apprentices and technicians to obtain the internationally recognised professional qualification, Engineering Technician.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology is offering employers a fast-track route for their apprentices and technicians to obtain the internationally recognised professional qualification, Engineering Technician (EngTech) at the same time becoming a Technician Member.

The institution is pressing companies and individuals to recognise the value of professional registration and sign up to the scheme, which provides technicians with better career opportunities and ensures that industry standards are maintained at a high level.

Unilever was one of the first companies to have its scheme approved by the IET.

Stephen Fletcher, European Director of Engineering, said: "Unilever is committed to ensuring that its employees receive the best possible training and qualification opportunities".

"We are delighted to be working closely with the IET to offer staff professional registration".

"EngTech is incredibly important for our apprentices and technicians, who value the qualification as an indicator of their expertise and professionalism as well as providing greater status with their colleagues and others".

EngTech is an important career marker as it marks out those with the qualification as highly skilled and experienced and demonstrates a commitment to a professional approach.

EngTech registration adds impressive credentials to a technician's CV, thereby enhancing career opportunities.

As a portable, internationally recognised qualification, EngTech will serve a technician well throughout their career and can also act as a stepping-stone towards other professional engineering qualifications such as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng), for those who have the desire and capability to achieve them.

To enable companies to take up the fast-track route, the IET carries out a detailed assessment of an organisation's apprenticeship scheme, which must be approved by the IET, as meeting the qualification criteria.

If the company scheme is not approved then an apprentice can still register through the standard routes, which is, however, more complicated.

The scheme, which is cofunded by the IET, the Engineering Technology Board and the Department of Trade and Industry, involves working closely with the Engineering Council (UK) and Sectors Skills Councils such as SEMTA.

Those who have successfully completed an IET approved Apprentice Scheme are eligible to join the IET register as an Engineering Technician and use the post-nominals TMIET Eng Tech.

Dr Alf Roberts, Chief Executive of the IET said: "The institution is committed to encouraging employers to recognise the benefits of professional registration in order to ensure that knowledge, expertise and standards in engineering are maintained at a high level".

"In addition, IET membership and the EngTech qualification is something that all apprentices and technicians should consider in order to advance their career opportunities, keep up to date with the latest technical developments and to acquire valuable key skills".

"We hope that the new fast-track scheme will make it easier for more companies to sponsor their staff to become professionally registered and demonstrate to their customers that they are committed to maintaining standards and the continued development of their staff".