International Recognition for Registered Engineers and Technicians

EC UK is deeply involved in a number of activities intended to promote recognition of UK registration of engineers overseas. In mid-June, representatives attended the International Engineers' meeting in Hong Kong . This bi-ennial meeting brings together the steering committees of several of the international Accords (see International) to re-appraise standards, but also to widen recognition to new jurisdictions around the world. The meeting was well attended by over 20 national organisations and the outcomes were generally satisfactory from a UK viewpoint. It continued the drive towards mutual recognition of academic qualifications and professional titles which had been seen at the 2003 IEM and the 200 London Workshop. Various procedural documents were adopted which will improve the operation of the Accords and Agreements and the internationally agreed (and UK-SPEC compliant) Graduate Outcomes and Professional Competences Statements were adopted.

Increased globalisation means that many countries are trying to gain access to the Accords and the importance of maintaining standards has never been higher.
Meanwhile the UK 's long involvement in the negotiations leading to a review of the EU General Directive on recognition of qualifications has recently borne fruit, with the adopting by the Council of Ministers of a final draft on 11th June.

This safeguards recognition of Chartered Engineers, Incorporated Engineers and Engineering Technicians within Europe, and should strengthen legal protection against discrimination for qualified migrants and those tendering for contracts within Europe. (Further details from our International Department).

A close eye continues to be kept on the Bologna Process - which is developing recognition systems for higher education and has implications for UK engineers. EC UK is currently reviewing its response to the Bergen Communiqué, issued by Ministers after a meeting in Norway in May. (For further details see Bologna Declaration and future announcements).

Three quarters of the UK team at IEM 2005