International award awaits Incorporated Engineers

Individuals registered in the UK as Incorporated Engineers (IEng) now have the opportunity to gain wider recognition for their particular skills and expertise. Provided they have the necessary qualifications and experience, they can apply for the newly created title of International Engineering Technologist (IntET), the aim of which is to make it easier for holders to practise their profession overseas. The Engineering Council UK (ECUK) is responsible for maintaining the UK section of the IntET Register.

Incorporated Engineers are deemed to have equivalent competences to those who elsewhere in the world are generally described as engineering technologists.

The IntET Register has been set up by the Engineering Technologist Mobility Forum, which comprises ECUK and the national engineering organisations of Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. The title provides a basis for mutual recognition of the competence and standing of experienced engineering technologists who are professionally registered, licensed or certified within these countries. More nations are expected to become involved in the not-too-distant future.

To qualify for the IntET title, individuals must hold an appropriate academic qualification (generally a bachelor's degree, HND or HNC) and have a minimum of seven years' post-graduate experience as an engineer, with at least two years in charge of significant engineering work. They also need to show an up-to-date record of continuing professional development. Applications have to be made through the candidate's engineering institution. The registration fee is £90 and grants use of the title for five years.

ECUK already maintains the UK section of the Register of International Professional Engineers (IntPE), which was established in 2001 and now contains more than 2000 names. In this country it is only open to experienced Chartered Engineers (CEng), who are also able to apply for the title of European Engineer (EUR ING). IntET is the first international award that recognises the competences of Incorporated Engineers.

For further information about the new title contact: international@engc.org.uk