ECUK calls for government recognition of professional engineers

Andrew Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer of the Engineering Council UK (ECUK), today called on government to introduce statutory recognition of the professional titles Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Engineering Technician (EngTech). He did so while giving evidence before a major inquiry into engineering by the House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee.

Addressing the issue of engineer status, Mr Ramsay said that statutory protection of the titles - which are held by around a quarter of a million individuals - would demonstrate that government was fully behind the registration of suitably qualified and experienced engineers and technicians. It would also make it much easier to deter misuse of title.

ECUK's CEO did however make it clear that he was not advocating government regulation of the engineering profession. Nor was he proposing that registration be made mandatory for everyone wishing to work as an engineer, which he believed would not be acceptable to employers - who would regard it as anti-competitive. He cited the example of Canada, where it is compulsory for engineers to be licensed by government. This has created problems for the country in its efforts to recruit from abroad to meet serious skills shortages.

Mr Ramsay also commented that legal protection of the title 'engineer', which many have called for, would prove very difficult. In contrast, statutory recognition of the three registered titles would be simple to achieve and could do much to lift the status of engineering professionals.

The IUSS Select Committee's questioning of Andrew Ramsay and other leading figures from the engineering profession can be viewed at:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=1712&rel=ok