IET Paul Meenan EE case study

Case Study

Paul Meenan: why Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration can open doors to new opportunities for electricians

Paul Meenan (CEng FIET, FCMI, MIAM, MILP), Asset Manager for rail transportation company Trenitalia c2c, says professional registration is key to career development in the electrical industry.

theiet.org/electrician-engtech

Paul Meenan: why Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration will open doors to new opportunities for electricians Paul Meenan is a railway man to the straps of his working boots. More than 20 years experience above and under ground as an electrical specialist in the London area on some of the busiest lines in the world has reinforced his belief that professional ethics must be at the heart of every aspect of the job.

As Asset Manager for rail transportation company Trenitalia c2c, Paul manages a large team working with the latest electrical technologies. As an IET Chartered Engineer he is also passionate about the importance of professional registration among his electrical colleagues and he views this as a personal validation of their skills and competence.

“My advice to electricians who are considering Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration is to go ahead because you can then count yourself among those who care about our industry,” he explained.

“If you want to move forward and grow your career EngTech can open doors for you. It’s not just a set of letters after your name, it amplifies your voice among your fellow trades people and your customers. In turn, it will give you more confidence in your decision making.”

Paul travels across the country helping electricians to develop their careers.

His commitment to the profession is unyielding and he also lectures and runs technical workshops. In 2017 he attended training in the role of IET Professional Registration Advisor and in 2019 was awarded the IET Volunteer Achievement Medal.

“Mentoring has an important role to play in this industry,” he said. “There are not enough people who are willing to give up their time and share their knowledge to help others. That’s why I get involved.”

Paul’s commitment to professional development is highlighted by his work as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Advisor. He also volunteers as an Engineering Technician Assessor.

Paul has been quick to recognise the value of social media. He podcasts and presents live webinars. “Free training and learning materials are there to help and stimulate industry colleagues to advance their professional development,” he said.

Paul Meenan: why Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration will open doors to new opportunities for electricians A founder member of the e5 group, Paul uses the Engineering Council’s statement of ethical principles to guide him. “Ethics and professional registration are the key to unlocking improvements in our trade,” he explained. “Sticking to ethical principles by showing honesty, integrity, respect for human life and public good will help the electrician face up to the challenges they meet on a daily basis in their work.

“Balancing ethical risk with the burdens of time and cost will help you when you are facing your toughest decisions in the workplace and allow you to communicate more easily with people. Ethics is a key part of the decision making process and in our industry sometimes this is not the case.”

After starting as an apprentice electrician in North London, he joined the rail industry as an electrician’s mate and rapidly rose up the career ladder into management.

He is armed with a host of professional and industry qualifications but cites his City & Guilds 2360 Electrical Installation Part 2, his City & Guilds 2391 in Electrical Inspection and Testing and his NEBOSH General Certificate in Health and Safety as having a significant influence on his career.

He is also a member of the Institute of Asset Management and the Institute of Lighting Professionals.

The c2c network of stations runs from Fenchurch Street in London to Shoeburyness in Essex. In his role as Asset Manager Paul is accountable for the day to day infrastructure including electrical systems. He manages specialist sub contractors for railways telecoms and electrical, mechanical and fire safety systems, covering everything that could run on electricity across a Railway station. The teams amount to 30 engineers plus specialist sub contractors for fibre optic cabling, access control, alarms, The works cover PPM (plannned preventative maintenance, a measure of the punctuality and reliability of passenger trains in Britain), surveys, asset information collection, renewals, enhancements. Paul’s work also includes new station builds, full rewires, design development, thermal imaging, water management etc. In total up to another 30 specialist persons will be working to manage and maintain assets on his behalf.

The network is also in the early stages of a series of upgrades along the route.

These include the installation of smart boards, smart fire alarm panels and hot-connection indicators. “Every day is different, there is always something to learn and there is always tonnes of work to do,” he added.

If you want to develop your workforce, improve the reputation of your business and raise standards in the industry, consider putting your employees forward for Electrician EngTech

Find out more at:

theiet.org/electrician-engtech or contact: electechs@theiet.org The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SC038698).

The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2AY, United Kingdom.

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