Boom year for registration

The Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) and Engineering Council UK (ECUK) are able to report a substantial increase in the number of newly registered Chartered Engineers (CEng), Incorporated Engineers (IEng) and Engineering Technicians (EngTech). In 2005, a total of 8018 new names were added to the roll - 39% more than in 2004, which was itself a growth year. The number achieving EngTech status more than doubled and was the highest annual figure ever recorded.

To become professionally registered in one of the three categories a person must first join an institution or society that is licensed by ECUK to assess applicants. An individual's qualifications, training and experience are assessed against UK-SPEC, the United Kingdom Standard for Professional Engineering Competence. Those who meet its criteria are then placed on the ECUK's Professional Register as a CEng, IEng or EngTech, titles that are all protected by Royal Charter.

Last year's upsurge in new registrant numbers follows a 3.4% growth in 2004, which though much smaller was still notable as it reversed five successive years of falling intakes. The 2005 figure of 8018 was the highest since 1997.

Roughly three quarters of those on the Register are Chartered Engineers. In 2005, a total of 5906 men and women joined their ranks - 30.7% up on the previous year, while the figure for new Incorporated Engineers was 532, an increase of 10%. An unprecedented 1580 applicants earned the right to call themselves Engineering Technicians, 108.4% more than in 2004 and well over treble the 2003 figure.

Andrew Ramsay, Chief Executive of ECUK, believes that the influx of new registrants is a direct result of recent promotional efforts: "The ETB has been working closely with the engineering institutions to get the message across that registration brings significant benefits - both for individual engineers and their employers. By gaining the titles CEng, IEng or EngTech, individuals can expect to boost their career prospects - along with their potential earnings - and to enjoy enhanced professional status and greater influence within their industry. Employers that take on registered engineers or technicians have the assurance of knowing that their key personnel hold an internationally recognised mark of competence, which can help them to retain business and win new clients."

At the end of 2005 the total number of ECUK registered engineers stood at 243,077. Of these, 188,367 were Chartered Engineers, 41,603 Incorporated Engineers and 13,107 Engineering Technicians.