IHEEM members who hold Authorised Person (AP) qualifications, and who act in AP capacity in a variety of disciplines within their Trust or company, now have a standard route to registration as Engineering Technician (Eng Tech).
The Authorised Person (Medical Gas Pipeline Systems (MGPS)) qualification offered through Eastwood Park has also been assessed and approved by IHEEM as meeting the academic standards required for registration as an Engineering Technician. Eastwood Park is the first training provider, working with the Institute, to be able to offer Eng Tech registration as part of its AP (MGPS) course offering. Greg Markham, chairman of the IHEEM Membership Committee, Chris Parker, the Institute’s recruitment and membership manager, and Steve Dickson, learning and development manager (engineering and FM) at Eastwood Park, have worked together to produce a mapping document which benchmarks this AP qualification against an NVQ qualification of the appropriate level. The document has been approved by IHEEM’s Membership Committee and is consequently being added to the database of qualifications held by the Engineering Council as meeting the Eng Tech standard. Subject to IHEEM membership, the final step to registration is satisfactory completion of the “proof of competency form”, to demonstrate that applicants have the necessary level of competency, as set out in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). A copy of UK-SPEC may be found at www.engc.org.uk Delegates at Eastwood Park-run Authorised Persons (MGPS) courses are now being advised that satisfactory completion of the course, completion of the competency form, and membership of a professional engineering institute such as IHEEM (a pre-requisite for registration), provide a straightforward route to Eng Tech registration. Steve Dickson said: “We are delighted to have secured the Eng Tech registration, as this will be of tremendous benefit to delegates on our MGPS courses, providing a seamless and straightforward route to registration. It is also a key element in establishing sound career pathways for our delegates.” All MGPS courses will now include a short IHEEM membership presentation, and, as a result, it is anticipated that both membership and Engineering Technician registrant numbers will increase. Those interested in finding out more should visit www.eastwoodpark.co.uk/training There are currently over 14,000 Engineering Technicians registered with the Engineering Council. The EC says benefits of registration include: recognition of an individual’s expertise and hard work; higher self-esteem; higher earnings potential; improved career prospects; greater influence within one’s organisation and industry, and “access to life-long learning”. For further details visit: www.thenextstep.org.uk Chris Parker comments “It is hoped that, in addition to the approval of other AP qualifications offered through Eastwood Park, other training providers will wish to work with IHEEM in having their own courses approved for Eng Tech registration in a similar way. Registration at Eng Tech level is very much the first step on a progression through Incorporated Engineer to Chartered Engineer for those candidates who wish to pursue that path.” Any training providers offering Authorised Person courses wishing to work with IHEEM should contact Chris Parker (Tel: 023 9282 3186; email: chris.parker@iheem.org.uk), as should any existing members keen to discuss Engineering Technician registratio
