The Official ECUK Countdown: 'Engineers First' SOE tops ECUK charts

SOE logo for press releases2

Monday, 21, Jan 2008 12:00

In early January the Engineering Council UK (ECUK) announced its annual professional registration results, and for the second year running, SOE has topped the charts.

With membership numbers in some organisations in the hundreds of thousands, SOE who represent around 17,000 engineering professionals from the transport, plant and engineer surveying sectors, may be expected to languish mid-table in such listings. However, as the results prove and as SOE President Ian Ling said, “Size doesn’t matter when it comes to putting members first.”

“SOE have again made a significant contribution to the new EngTech and IEng totals.” (Andrew Ramsay, CEO, ECUK )

SOE registered more EngTechs during 2007 than any other organisation, almost doubling the amount of registrants achieved the previous year. Andrew Ramsay, CEO of ECUK, was quick to acknowledge the Society’s achievements: “SOE have again made a significant contribution to the new EngTech and IEng totals. In 2007 – as in the previous year – they were responsible for more newly registered Engineering Technicians than any other licensed institution. Their commendable efforts have helped to ensure another annual increase in overall EngTech numbers, these having grown for a third consecutive year.”

Similarly, SOE also came second in the report for new IEng registrants. Mark Organ, Head of Membership Services and Communications praised the hard work of SOE staff, and the professionalism of members. He said: “The results prove that our members are serious about engineering. Professional registration is a huge step towards industry recognition, and it is a positive sign that so many members are choosing to develop their careers. It’s great for the industry.”

Chief Executive Nick Jones said: “Once again the Society has thrust itself forward to champion both the recognition of engineers and their continued professional development. We look forward to going even further in 2008 by assisting current and new members with their careers.”

Ends…

Editor’s notes:

SOE (Society of Operations Engineers)

SOE is a professional membership organisation that represents around 17,000 individuals and companies in the engineering industry. The SOE has three professional sectors – IRTE, IPlantE and BES (see below for more details).

The Society promotes safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable operations engineering to the benefit of the community at large, through the support of best practice and health and safety initiatives, a commitment to the professional development of its members and by influencing legislation and design.

SOE is a licensed member of ECUK and can register members at all three levels, CEng, IEng and EngTech.

The SOE is online at www.soe.org.uk

IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers)

IRTE, one of the most respected names in UK transport, was founded in 1944 and is recognised as an impartial voice of the industry. It encourages high standards of excellence with an emphasis on safety in operation, demonstrated by its research and education programme for members and industry. The IRTE is also a partner in the CV Show, alongside the RHA and SMMT.

IRTE members come from a wide variety of transport-related roles including apprentices and technicians in the light and heavy and bus and coach sectors, workshop managers, fleet engineers, transport managers and company directors.

IPlantE (Institution of Plant Engineers)

The IPlantE was founded in 1946 and is the Professional Sector for engineers, technicians and those with an interest in the specification, installation, operation and maintenance of industrial plant and services.

IPlantE members represent a huge range of engineering-related activities including static and rotating plant, industrial installation, mobile plant, power generation and distribution, utilities, system design, construction, production and maintenance and repair.

BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors)

BES was established in 1965 as a specialist technical organisation for engineer surveyors to keep up-to-date with relevant technical information. Engineer surveyors independently assess plant and machinery for legal compliance and technical risk. BES activities are also of interest to building services engineers, technical health and safety professionals and those involved in engineering facilities.