Professional registration

Professional Registration is an important step in pursuing a career in engineering and it lends itself to a ready-made career path, progressing through the grades as your experience broadens and deepens.

Putting those letters after your name (EngTech, IEng or CEng) instantly tells employers, clients and wider society that your competence and understanding of engineering principles has been independently assessed, that you have the knowledge, skills and professional attitude they value, and that you are committed to developing and enhancing your competence. It sets you apart from your non-registered colleagues. The right professional registration title for you is based on your academic and professional competence: here’s a general guide…

Engineering Technicians apply proven techniques and procedures to the solution of practical engineering problems.

They hold Level 3 engineering/technology qualifications and 2-3 years industry experience, OR 3-5 years industry experience.

Incorporated Engineers maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology, and may undertake engineering design, development, manufacture, construction and operation.

They hold Level 6 (Bachelors) engineering/technology qualifications and 3-5 years industry experience, OR 5-10 years industry experience.

Chartered Engineers develop solutions to complex engineering problems using new or existing technologies, and through innovation, creativity and technical analysis.

They hold Level 7 (Masters) engineering/technology qualifications and 3-6 years industry experience, OR 10-15 years industry experience.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION WITH THE PWI IS SUPPORTED BY NETWORK RAIL AND TRANSPORT FOR LONDON

I started my CEng application to celebrate and recognise my engineering achievements from my early years as an apprentice to my current role as Senior Design Engineer. Making a start on the application felt overwhelming at the beginning but I took the opportunity from the Covid-19 Lockdown and the spare time it brought to focus on the application and crack-on with it.

It was a satisfying feeling when I finally completed the report and the opportunity to describe my engineering experiences through a range of projects I had led, and the lessons learnt. The competency framework enabled me to capture and align my achievements through the key requirements of the application which included demonstrating my consideration to the safety and wellbeing of others. The entire process enabled me to reflect on my career and the amazing people I have met along the way. It highlighted the importance of not only what I did but how I did it and the significance of having a network of people and organisations to help make it happen. This is reflected in my CPD which for me is a journal of contacts and information I can continue to refer to as part of my professional development plan as the journey continues, having achieved the honour of becoming a Chartered Engineer. Errol Maginley CEng MPWI Senior Design Engineer: Track Alignment Network Rail Design Delivery

We reached 212 PWI registered engineers last month, with 123 Engineering Technicians, 34 Incorporated Engineers and 55 Chartered Engineers. I am pleased to report that the virtual PWI Professional Review interviews in December were a great success with an exceptional pass rate in all areas. There were two special achievements of note, a Technical Report route Chartered Engineer result for an ex-Network Rail Apprentice and an Experiential Learning CEng for someone with nonstandard qualifications. I offer my sincere congratulations to both and look forward to plotting their enhanced careers. These results are a great tribute to our dedicated mentors and sponsors.

We are working hard to get more early career rail engineers qualified at EngTech level. The target area is those on training schemes, apprenticeships and graduate schemes who can qualify with between 1-2 years’ good railway experience. This will be a major focus for us now as we have over 500 student members from amongst those doing HNC’s and BEng degree apprentice schemes. The important thing is to get qualified as soon as you can and get on that ladder! I keep saying that having the letters after your name “EngTech MPWI” opens doors and gives you choices. Proposals are also being developed for a HNC to Incorporated Engineer route by a combination of courses and railway experience. Our Professional Development Officers are working well to promote industry links through more workshops offered to Corporate Members.

Finally, the PWI Reviewers, believe it or not, enjoy passing people! 30 of our great band of volunteer PWI Reviewers attended the annual forum recently and also had refresher training. There were many good suggestions for improvement, mostly related to improved mentoring and benchmarking of levels for each grade.

It is good to see that in the PWI, people can progress right up the higher professional levels and I get great pleasure in seeing them achieve what sometimes seem impossible goals. Determination pays off and help and support from PWI members pays dividends.

Brian Counter

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Permanent Way Institution technicaldirector@thepwi.org

The PWI is here for your journey and would love to support you in your career aspirations.

Professional registration is open to any competent practising engineer or technician.

Different levels and pathways to registration are available, depending on your experience, training and qualifications.

FIND YOUR ROUTE TO REGISTRATION ON THE WEBSITE