What is the function of the engineering council?

Answer 1

As the UK regulatory body for the engineering profession, the Engineering Council sets and maintains internationally recognised standards of professional competence and ethics. These are detailed in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

Engineering Council RegistersWe hold the national registers of over 235,000:

• Chartered Engineers (CEng)
• Incorporated Engineers (IEng)
• Engineering Technicians (EngTech)
• Information and Communication Technology Technicians (ICTTech)

The award and retention of these titles ensures that employers, government and wider society - both in the UK and overseas - can have confidence in the knowledge, experience and commitment of engineers on the register.

In order to gain the professional qualifications CEng, IEng, EngTech or ICTTech, applicants must be a member of a relevant professional engineering institution (PEI) licensed by the Engineering Council to assess candidates.

Those holding the titles will have demonstrated that they possess a range of technical and personal competences and are also committed to keeping these up-to-date, and to behaving in a professionally and socially responsible manner.

International representation of engineersThe standing of individuals registered with the Engineering Council is increasingly being recognised around the world. In some cases our qualifications are required for particular work. Evidence of registration with the Engineering Council can prove helpful in applying for jobs and tendering for work abroad.

The Engineering Council continually works to increase recognition of our engineering professionals. We are also an active member of the profession's international organisations and agreements. This enables us to represent the interests of UK engineers and exert strong influence internationally, which benefits individuals, businesses and the UK system of engineering education.