Ellie Baker, a Highways Officer at Lincolnshire CC, is IHE's 1000th Professional Review.

She received a commemorative plate. Gerry Harvey made the presentation at IHE headquarters on 5 October which Ellie was visiting with Paul Coathup, Divisional Highways Manager for Greater Lincoln and Gainsborough Division, Lincolnshire County Council.

Profile

Ellie Baker has always worked for Lincolnshire. She is now responsible for all highways functions for over a third of the City of Lincoln - maintenance, traffic management, implementing the Community Travel Zone programme, liaison with members.

She gained her HNC in 2000 at Lincoln college with Chris Bean who is a great supporter of professional institutions and his students. After joining IHE as a Graduate Member she submitted her initial professional development portfolio for assessment in 2003 and completed the review this April. Her reviewers were Gerry Harvey and Bob Leonard.

Some history

The Institute began reviewing applicants independently in 1986. Previously reviews had been run jointly with SCET. We were both members of the standing joint committee and using the same standards until IHE left. The timing of the 1000th milestone is particularly felicitous, it being IHE's 40th anniversary year.

The first candidates were Robert Beattie then with Worcester City and now Taywood Homes and Bill Parks then Wiltshire now Mouchel Parkman, reviewed by Stephen Chandler, John Hayes and Grove Risbey in Cwmbran in August 1986.

Trained staff are better prepared for their Initial Professional Development assessment, their professional review, and they deliver your services better.

IHE is licensed by the Engineering Council to approve company training programmes for IEng and EngTech. The institute offers mentor training and support and approval visits for companies and authorities though its national training advisory service.

• Good practice guidance for companies
• Why train your staff?
• Applying to IHE for approval

IHE is licensed by the Engineering Council to approve company and/authority training/IPD programmes.

Download the Good Practice document here .

• Improves staff performance allows companies to recruit the better trainees develops the staff skills companies want in order to improve their business or services.
• Motivates and rewards staff.

IHE approval of company schemes is a quality mark and assures staff that the organisation is committed to their specialist needs as incorporated engineers, technicians and as highways and transportation professionals.

IHE has wealth of experience which organisations can tap into and we can provide performance objectives to assist you in structuring your training. Mentor training courses are available from IHE to support your staff networks.

IHE approved companies are empowered to assess initial professional development in-house, subject to an institute audit which speeds up the professional review.

• Investors in People and/or ICE approved
• NVQ / SVQ Assessment Centres

1. Download and read the Good Practice Guide and the approvals Checklist.

2. Send IHE:

• A copy of your existing scheme (or a summary)
• A statement setting out how staff will be prepared for registration using Engineering Council Statements of Competence (Document IE3).

3. IHE will confirm that you meet the checklist criteria and arrange for a National Training Advisor to visit.

4. Our Policy & Development Committee will consider the checklist review and the visit report. You should be through the system in three to four months.

If you cannot use the Fast Track, follow the approval checklist to compile an application. Send IHE a statement covering:

• Scheme aims and objectives, typical training programmes, management systems and resources, staff responsibilities for training and development, arrangements for supervision, support, monitoring and recording, opportunities for further and continuing education
• Any successes to date

The Institute Secretary or local advisors are happy to guide you through and mentor-training courses are available.

The following information on planning your professional development is also available in the IHE publication, Moving Ahead. (in folder)

IHE members are obliged to maintain their technical and professional competence and support the development of others. The Engineering Council requires IHE to monitor our members' competence and we do this by sending a questionnaire each year to a annual random sample of members.

Email deputy@theihe.org for personal advice and support on fulfilling your training needs.

We offer a membership grade for everyone in the highways sector.

It's quick and easy to join as an Affiliate Member using our online form. It's FREE for six months whilst we help you to upgrade. Alternatively check out your qualifications and join as a full member.

The IHE helps engineers and technicians at all levels in highways, traffic and transportation to achieve and to maintain the highest standards of professional competence.

IHE provides professional leadership and development by sharing knowledge and standards based on integrity, fairness and quality. We help all practitioners to improve the highway environment by ensuring that they deliver a safe, sustainable transport system.

Our Professional Review procedures are more welcoming and we'll give you every help to get Engineering Council registration.

If you are applying for Member or Fellow, we may need to refer your application to our Membership Committee which meets in March, June, September and December. Otherwise we aim to deal with applications within six weeks.

Applications approved at or after the September Committee pay no additional fee for the higher grade until the next year.

You can access all grades without a review.  See what grade is right for you

We will be in touch shortly to confirm if your application was successful.  If you have not heard from us within 10 days, please contact membership@theihe.org.

• CE2 Chartered Professional Review
• IE2 Incorporated Professional Review
• ET2 Technician Professional Review
• CE4 Other routes to CEng
• IE4 Other routes to IEng
• Document A - Presentation Advice
• Document D - The Rough Guide
• Evidence Summary Form

Evidence Summary Forms

For your Professional Review you will need to submit a Review Report covering relevant experience and focussing in on 2/3 schemes to present at the Interview and complete 16 Evidence Summary Forms together with a supporting portfolio of documents.

For the Technical Report route
Technical Reports should be accompanied by a Review explained above.

How do I apply?

All is explained in the Review Documents CE2 etc.

Becoming a Chartered Engineer makes a statement about who you are and what you do. It puts you ahead of the game.

Am I qualified?

There are two routes to registration

1. The standard route, if you meet the academic requirements - an MEng, BEng (Hons) plus a Masters, a pre-2001 approved engineering degree or equivalent. Check yours out here.

2. The individual route for everyone else

We can quickly advise you on which is your route. Ring or email us with brief details of your qualifications and experience. If our staff cannot be definitive, we will refer you to our Academic Standards Panel for a career appraisal. There are more options open to you if you are a Senior IEng or have a recent BEng (Hons) degree than if you do not have at least these qualifications. For a more detailed list of academic top ups, read How do I get Qualified?.

In all cases, you will need to show at a Professional Review that you provide technical and professional leadership delivering complex or innovative schemes.

What is a Professional Review?

To become registered you need to show how you meet the Engineering Council's requirements - on paper through application forms and a supporting portfolio of documentary evidence and - face to face at a professional review interview with two IHE engineers where you discuss one or two recent schemes or projects.

There are 16 EC statements of competence and commitment you need to satisfy by explaining what you have done and showing us evidence to substantiate your claim to competence.

If you would like to see an Example report or synopsis, email us.

How do I apply?

Click here for a step by step guide.

There are four closing dates each year and we aim to get you through in time for the next election Committee.

Read Document E1: Routes to Registration to check the IHE's general requirements

For the standard route, your 'bible' is Document CE2: The Chartered Review.
Or, for a quick overview, read Document D - The Rough Guide.

For the individual routes, see Document CE4: Individual routes to CEng. These can involve academic top ups, proving further learning gained at work or submitting a Technical Report demonstrating your knowledge.

You will need to consult Document CE3: Statements of Competence in all cases. It sets out the criteria you must meet and offers guidance on what IHE looks for in highways and transportation.

The best preparation is to attend one of IHE's regular Professional Review courses to talk to reviewers and learn how you can compile a successful submission.

What does an application look like?

A) Documents you already have

• Authenticated copies of your academic certificates
• Your CV
• Your Job description
• An organisation chart
• CPD plans (or appraisals)

B) Documents you need to write and compile

• Professional Development Forms
• Supporting documentary evidence summarised in a Matrix
• A Project synopsis (one page)
• A professional development record with 10 'CPD Days'

C) Some forms

• An Employer Proposer Form (301)
• An IHE Application or Transfer form
• A payment form and your cheque or credit card

All in a loose-leaf binder, paginated, numbered and cross referenced.

Send one copy and a CD to IHE and make another two copies for the Reviewers who will assess your portfolio then invite you to present your Project(s) at an interview.

Useful links

Click on the lefthand links for Essential Forms, Advice and Optional Forms (eg for CPD)

• Annual timetable for Professional Reviews
• Preparing for Professional Review Courses
• Frequently Asked Questions

Profiles

• Read about recent IHE CEngs

Becoming a Incorporated Engineer marks you out as a professional. It puts you ahead of the game and IHE is here to help.

Rachael Langfield IEng FIHE

Am I qualified?

The engineering profession in the UK is regulated by the Engineering Council through licenced institutions such as IHE. To become a registered Incorporated Engineer you need to meet the EC's education requirements and demonstrate competence standards through a Professional Review.

There are two routes to registration

1. The standard route, if you meet the academic requirements - an engineering degree, an HNC or HND in any engineering subject started before 1999 or an equivalent qualification. Check your qualifications here.

2. The Individual Route for everyone else

In both cases you will need to show at a Professional Review that you apply independent technical judgement and manage the delivery of schemes.

We can quickly advise you on which is your route. Ring or email us with brief details of your qualifications and experience. If our staff cannot be definitive, we will refer you to our Academic Standards Panel for a career appraisal. There are more options open to you if you have an HND or a 'cognate' degree than if you do not have at least these qualifications. For a more detailed list of academic top ups, read How do I get Qualified.

The Individual Route is more demanding as you have not got the benchmark academic qualification and must first prove your knowledge before submitting for Review.

What is a Professional Review?

To become registered you need to show how you meet the Engineering Council's requirements - on paper through application forms and a supporting portfolio of documentary evidence and - face to face at a professional review interview with two IHE engineers where you discuss one or two recent schemes or projects.

There are 16 EC statements of competence and commitment you need to satisfy by explaining what you have done and showing us evidence to substantiate your claim to competence.

If you would like to see an Example report or synopsis, email us.

How do I apply?

All is explained in Document IE2: Review Procedures.

There are four closing dates each year and we aim to get you through in time for the next election Committee.

Click here for a 'step by step guide'.

The best preparation is to attend one of IHE's regular PR courses to talk to reviewers and learn how you can compile a successful submission.

What does an application look like?

A) Documents you already have

• Authenticated copies of your academic certificates
• Your CV
• Your Job description
• An organisation chart
• CPD plans (or appraisals)

B) Documents you need to write and compile

• Professional Development Forms
• Supporting documentary evidence summarised in a Matrix
• A Project synopsis (one page)
• A professional development record with 7 'CPD Days'

C) Some forms

• An Employer Proposer Form (301)
• An IHE Application or Transfer form
• A payment form and your cheque or credit card

All in a loose-leaf binder, paginated, numbered and cross referenced.

Send one copy and a CD to IHE and make another two copies for the Reviewers who will assess your portfolio then invite you to present your Project(s) at an interview.

Useful links

Click on the lefthand links for Essential Forms, Advice and Optional Forms (eg for CPD)

• Annual timetable for Professional Reviews
• Preparing for Professional Review Courses
• Frequently Asked Questions

Profiles

• Read about recent IHE IEngs
  

Step 1

Identify a colleague who is willing to support you as a mentor. Ask IHE to give them access to the Institute's Mentoring website.
Meet regularly after each Step. Use a Mentoring Agreement if you wish.

Step 2

Open a folder. Put in your academic certificates, CV, job description, organisation chart, appraisal records or CPD record and plan.
Draw up a schedule and time line.

Step 3

Read Document IE3 or Document CE3 Statements of Competence.
Make notes on recent significant projects against each of the 16 statements. Find plans, work programmes, reports, emails, minutes etc. which you produced on these schemes.

Step 4

Fill out your CV so it describes work you have done and the extent of your personal responsibilities. Aim for one page for each five years of employment.

Step 5

Describe on the Professional Development Forms how you meet each of the EC statements using atleast two schemes or projects each time.
Ask your mentor to sign off each form.

There's an Example on the back of the download Professional Development Form.

Step 6

Select the most relevant documents to illustrate the work described. (Remember: quality not quantity.)
Prepare a matrix summarising these documents against the 16 Statements.

Step 7

For the review interview, pick one or two schemes which best demonstrate the range of your experience, ability and responsibility.

There may be projects already described on the Forms or you can choose another.

Outline the projects on one side of paper, stressing your role. Identify what documents you will need in order to talk about the schemes at an interview.

Step 8

• Put all your papers together from Steps 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
• Ask a senior line manager to complete an Employer Proposer Form 301.
• Make 3 copies plus the original and a CD.
• Send 1 copy of your submission and the CD to IHE.
• IHE will ask you to send copies to two Reviewers.

Step 9

The Reviewers will assess your experience. If they are satisfied, IHE will arrange an interview.
You will receive a copy of the assessments.
Practice your presentation and arrange a mock interview.

Step 10

You present your project(s) at the interview and discuss your development. The Reviewers' recommendation goes to the next IHE Committee for decision. The Reviewers will ask questions to satisfy themselves that you match up to the national standards.

Step 11

You are elected FIHE and registered with the Engineering Council.
You may mentor colleagues and become a reviewer yourself.

The Engineering Council sets benchmark academic entry standards - Masters for CEng and ordinary degree for IEng. Older pre-2001 qualifications continue to be accepted: you do not need a degree. If you don't have these qualifications, there are various routes you can follow to prove equivalent knowledge; your options include:

• Engineering Council examinations (www.engc.org.uk/education--skills) - until 2011
• further academic learning
• work based learning (WBL) drawing on several years of experience if you have a BEng (Hons) or a BSc (Hons) in engineering or science (CEng) or an engineering HND or Foundation Degree (IEng). (See Annex 2 of Documents IE4 and CE4)
• for IEng only, you can complete 2 projects to earn 60 credits to top up an HND or Foundation Degree (See Annex 3 of IE4)
• an employer-led accredited WBL programme (www.jbm.org.uk)
• a Technical Report focused on one significant project (see Annex 4 of Document IE4 and CE4), OR
• any combination of the above.

Documents IE4 and CE4 contain tables setting out these options more clearly and How do I get Qualified lists academic top ups.

Most applicants choose either to gain further academic qualifications or to use the Technical Report option. In all cases, once you have proved equivalence, you can make a Professional Review submission.

Be sure to get advice from IHE first on what routes are best for you.

How do I confirm which is my route?

For an informal assessment, ring IHE on 020 74367487.

For a formal assessment or if we need to refer you to the Academic Standards Panel for an individual career assessment, please send the following by email:

• A CV which also explains your current responsibilities
• A copy of your academic certificates
• A list of units/modules studied
• Brief details of any final year degree project or dissertation

It helps if you can also supply a weblink or any additional information on the syllabus.

If you have overseas qualifications, first ask UK NARIC for a statement of equivalence first.

Technical Report option

For this route you, prepare a report on a scheme or a theme to demonstrate engineering knowledge to Masters (CEng) or ordinary degree (IEng) level. You match your report to the 'learning outcomes' in Annex 1 of the relevant document CE4 or IE4.

In parallel, you prepare a Professional Review submission matched to the usual EC Statements of Competence and Commitment (CE3 or IE3).

Separate interviews first on the Technical Report and then on your Review submission are normally conducted on the same day.

There are a number of steps along the way for the Technical Report option and IHE will help as much as we can with example reports and synopses and mentoring back up.

Further Learning

The further learning options for IEng are only for engineers with a recent HND or Foundation or Cognate degree. For CEng you will need a BEng (Hons) or BSc in a cognate subject or engineering or be a senior IEng. Under this route, you compile a portfolio drawing on your complete work experience to show you meet the relevant "learning outcomes". (We can supply a template to help with this). IHE assesses your application normally by interview and once successful, you complete the standard Professional Review.

Registration with the Engineering Council accesses these International Registers.

1. Professional Engineer

The IntPE (UK) qualification is open to Chartered Engineers who:

• have seven years' post-graduation experience
• have 2 years' responsibility of significant work experience
• are maintaining their CPD.

2. Engineering Technologist

The IntET (UK) section is open to Incorporated Engineers who:

• have an academic qualification equivalent to an accredited degree/diploma/certificate
• have seven years' post-graduation experience
• have two years' in responsible charge of engineering work
• are maintaining their continuing professional development

Go to the Engineering Council website for application forms and guidance notes.

Completed applications with supporting documents and a £90 fee should be returned to IHE, who will process them for EC.

Unfortunately under the international agreement, applications from engineers that have achieved this status through a 'competency' route (i.e. MCR, Senior Route, Career Appraisal Route, or the Technical Report option (even where there is an underlying academic qualification), or any under the Individual Route since the introduction of UK-SPEC) may not apply. Ask the Enginering Council International Section any queries on your qualifications.

Successful candidates will be granted the right to use of the post-nominal UK title, denoting the jurisdiction that awarded the title. The jurisdiction must be clearly shown when the title is used.

EUR ING

This title is also open to Chartered Engineers eg. EUR ING J Smith CEng FIHE.

You need at least a 3 year degree and seven years' professional experience. Send your application and fee to IHE to process.