Engineering Council

The Engineering Council is the main group in the UK that decides who can call themselves a professional engineer or engineering technician. It used to be called Engineering Council UK, but many people just call it EngC.

The Engineering Council keeps official lists of many people, including Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), Chartered Engineers (CEng), and Information and Communications Technology Technicians (ICTTech).

This group makes sure that engineers and technicians meet high standards of skill and behavior. By doing this, it helps make sure that companies, governments, and everyone else can trust the people who work with engineering and technology. The Engineering Council sets rules that are used around the world to decide what it means to be a good engineer or technician.

History

Professional engineering groups in the UK started in 1818 with the creation of the Institution of Civil Engineers. More groups formed later, like the IMechE in 1847 and the IEE (later renamed IET) in 1871. These three became known as the Big Three because they included most of the UK's engineers.

In 1964, these groups joined to form the Joint Council of Engineering Institutions, which later became the Council of Engineering Institutions (CEI) in 1965. CEI had special approval from the king and did important work for engineers.

In 1977, a special group led by Sir Monty Finniston studied how engineers were trained and registered. Their report, called the Finniston Report, came out in 1980. Based on this report, the Engineering Council was created in 1981 to oversee many engineering groups. It received special approval from the king later that year. The council also started a campaign in 1983 to encourage more women to join engineering.

Function

The Engineering Council is the main group for engineers in the United Kingdom. The British Government recognizes it as the national body for the engineering profession. It works with other engineering groups to support chartered engineers, incorporated engineers, and engineering technicians in the UK.

Professional registration in the UK

In the UK, anyone can call themselves an engineer because the law does not protect that title. However, there are special titles given by the Engineering Council that are protected by law. These titles are Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng), Engineering Technician (EngTech), and Information and Communications Technology Technician (ICTTech). To earn these titles, people must show they have good skills from their education, training, and work experience.

The Engineering Technician (EngTech) can earn a Licentiateship (LCGI), which is like a level 4 qualification from City and Guilds. The Incorporated Engineer (IEng) can earn a Graduateship (GCGI), which is like a level 6 qualification. The Chartered Engineer (CEng) can earn Membership (MCGI), which is like a level 7 qualification. These assessments are usually done by a member group chosen by the Engineering Council.

Licensed member institutions

The Engineering Council works with many groups that help support engineers. Some of these groups include:

• British Computer Society
• British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing
• Chartered Association of Building Engineers
• Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
• Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors
• Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
• Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
• Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
• Energy Institute
• Institution of Agricultural Engineers
• Institution of Civil Engineers
• Institution of Chemical Engineers
• Institution of Engineering Designers
• Institution of Engineering and Technology
• Institution of Fire Engineers
• Institute of Highway Engineers
• Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management
• Institution of Lighting Professionals
• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Institute of Measurement and Control
• The Institution of Royal Engineers
• Institute of Acoustics
• Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
• Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
• Institution of Railway Signal Engineers
• Institution of Structural Engineers
• Institute of Water
• INCOSE UK
• Nuclear Institute
• Permanent Way Institution
• Royal Aeronautical Society
• Royal Institution of Naval Architects
• Society of Operations Engineers
• The Welding Institute

International registration

The Engineering Council helps engineers in the UK get recognized around the world. It works with groups in Europe and other countries to make sure engineers have the right skills and training.

Engineers can join two special lists: one for European Engineers and another for International Professional Engineers. If they join the European list, they can use the title EurIng. If they join the international list, they can use IntPE (UK). The rules for joining these lists are similar to the rules for becoming a Chartered Engineer.