Following a preparatory phase involving research, discussion and careful planning, the Engineering Council's (EngC) promotional campaign for its Incorporated Engineer (IEng) professional qualification is now well underway.  The campaign has been developed together with the Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs) to raise the profile of IEng, as well as increasing awareness and understanding of its value to individuals, employers, the profession and society as a whole.

At their request, one of the first priorities has been to involve existing IEngs. As the EngC research has shown how much IEng registrants value their professional qualification and the role it plays in recognising their competence, commitment, and professional standing within the engineering profession, all existing IEng registrants have been sent, through their institution, a special ‘logo’ designed especially for use with their email signatures.  This shows the message ‘I am proud to be an IEng’ which, as suggested by the research, reflects the pride felt by those who manage to successfully qualify.

Other creative materials and messages have been developed for use in a variety of channels, all based on the same ‘I am’ theme, which makes strong, clear links between being a professional engineer and being an IEng.

Jon Prichard, CEO of the Engineering Council says “Despite being the professional level at which many practising engineers work, Incorporated Engineer is currently under-represented on our register.  At the end of 2010 there were around 238,000 professionally registered engineers, with approximately 188,000 of these holding Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, 36,000 with IEng status and 14,000 registered as technicians.

“From our research we know that a large number of practising engineers have the relevant standards of knowledge and competence to be eligible for IEng, but a large number have not applied, in the main due to the current lack of awareness and understanding.”

IEngs are skilled professionals, working in a range of positions across every sector of engineering, and can be defined through their competencies.  UK-SPEC describes these as: Incorporated Engineers maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology, and may undertake engineering design, development, manufacture, construction and operation.  Incorporated Engineers are variously engaged in technical and commercial management and possess effective interpersonal skills.

“Although the focus of this project is on raising the awareness and profile of IEng as the valuable professional qualification that it is, both to individuals and their employers, we do not intend it in any way to be at the detriment of the other levels of registration,” adds Jon Prichard.  “The campaign is purely setting out to ensure that the value of registration as an Incorporated Engineer achieves the recognition and standing similar to that which is enjoyed by those with CEng status.  We would also like to dispel some of the myths that seem to surround IEng, many of which were based on misconception and prejudice.

“In addition, it is important to note that IEng is not only a valuable standalone professional qualification but also part of a progressive structure.  We have therefore designed some of the activities to promote Engineering Technician (EngTech) and CEng registration at the same time.”