Hiring Mechanical Engineering Techs from the United Kingdom the Engineering Profession in the United Kingdom (U.K.) Is Helpful Information for Recruiting in the U.K

Hiring Mechanical Engineering Techs from the United Kingdom The engineering profession in the United Kingdom (U.K.) is Helpful information for recruiting in the U.K. unregulated. There are no licensing or registration requirements to The Engineering Council and the respective PEIs own the practise and the term “engineer” is not legally protected. engineering titles they issue in the U.K., and their use is The Engineering Council oversees the profession, sets professional legally protected. standards and licenses its member professional engineering Registration for the IEng and EngTech titles is competency-based institutions (PEIs) to grant professional titles on its behalf. and generally requires academic qualifications similar to those held by Canadian technologists and technicians. Candidates Similiar job titles in the U.K. undergo a panel interview with industry experts and must meet other requirements as well. Mechanical Engineering Technologist or Technician Canadian and U.K. technologists and technicians enjoy mutual Incorporated Mechanical Engineer (IEng, MIMechE) recognition through the Sydney Accord (for Technologists/IEngs) Engineering Technician (EngTech, MIMechE) and the Dublin Accord (for Technicians/EngTechs). Who to target Since registration with the Engineering Council is voluntary, there The best source to consult for talent is the appropriate PEI in a may be qualified candidates lacking a professional title who particular field. The PEI serving mechanical engineers in the U.K. would nonetheless meet the academic requirements for ASET is the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). certification. Look for workers holding the following credentials: Associate Member IMechE (AMIMechE), Member IMechE (MIMechE) or Skill and knowledge gaps and other barriers Engineering Council registration as an Incorporated Engineer Some European bachelor’s degrees are awarded after three years (IEng) or Engineering Technician (EngTech). Associate and full of study. Workers holding these degrees are likely to qualify for members of the IMechE will have similar academic qualifications, technologist or technician certification with ASET, but may have but associate members may lack the professional experience difficulty obtaining licensure from the Association of Professional needed for full membership. Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). Those with lower IEngs must have at least a bachelor’s degree (or a diploma plus qualifications may only qualify at the technician level. further learning to a bachelor’s level) and three to four years’ Internationally trained applicants must meet a minimum national experience. EngTechs generally have a two-year certificate or benchmark for education, experience and professionalism to be diploma or an approved National Vocational Qualification/Scottish certified by ASET. For more information, seewww.aset.ab.ca . Vocational Qualification (NVQ/SVQ) Level 3, which is similar to an apprenticeship program. Professional experience requirements are Other resources not defined for EngTech registration, so work experience may vary. The Engineering Council or IMechE may be willing to verify European Engineer (EUR ING) is a pan-European professional title available to engineers with either a bachelor’s or master’s candidates’ credentials or help with placing job ads. Contact degree and four years of professional experience. Engineers information for the Council is available at www.engc.org.uk/ holding the EUR ING title may meet the academic requirements contact-us.aspx. IMechE’s contact information can be found at for certification with the Association of Science and Engineering www.imeche.org/about-us/contact-us. For complete information Technology Professionals (ASET). about IMechE’s membership criteria, see www.imeche.org.