Qualifications to advance your engineering career
Beginning a career in engineering means setting off down a long, exciting career path - learning and developing new professional skills every step of the way. All professional engineering roles are challenging and competitive and employers seek to fill vacant positions with candidates who have demonstrated their capabilities within the industry. Employees demonstrate their competence by attaining industry qualifications - qualifications which require practical effort and academic commitment.
All professional engineers are required to hold a university-level degree (or equivalent qualification) in engineering - an academic achievement which comes with membership to one of three professional institutions: the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers or the Institute of Electrical Engineers. After graduation, however, engineers will be expected to continue their professional development by attaining senior levels of qualification.
Read our guide to the qualifications engineers may need to help them appeal to the best industry employers...
Engineering Technician (EngTech)
The EngTech qualification is given to professional engineers with expertise in supervisory and technical positions and who can be employed at every level of the engineering process, from design and development, to manufacture, commissioning and decommissioning. Registered EngTechs enjoy improved career prospects and influence within the industry - along with higher earnings potential.
Eligibility for EngTech registration requires a high level of professional commitment and competence and involves the completion of a Modern Apprenticeship, BTEC Diploma or similar educational certification - along with a demonstration of initial professional development (IPD), which can be attained through an Advanced Apprenticeship. Registration also requires a certain amount of practical work experience.
Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
The IEng qualification demonstrates an engineer's ability to approach and overcome the wide variety of challenges involved in their professional field. IEng-qualified engineers can manage, plan, budget and otherwise organise the projects on which they are employed and are comfortable in a number of professional contexts, including design, development, manufacture, construction and operation. The qualification itself indicates a high level of professionalism, competence and expertise - and offers members access to life-long learning resources, improved career prospects and opportunities to work on engineering projects around the world.
Eligible IEng candidates will have years of structured practical working experience and an appropriate level of academic training, which means a degree in an engineering or technology related field or an equivalent qualification (like an HND or NVQ) which has been completed to degree level.
Chartered Engineers (CEng)
Chartered engineers may work in technical or commercial contexts and be assigned to senior leadership roles. The prestigious CEng qualification demonstrates an individual's effective communication and interpersonal skill and a capability to develop and apply new techniques and technologies to their working environments. Registered CEng-qualified engineers are recognised to have attained an elite professional level - and contributed to their business' success through innovation and creativity.
CEng candidates must submit a written application and attend a face-to-face interview as part of the registration process. Candidates should be able to demonstrate the ways in which they used their skills and knowledge to improve engineering techniques and generate solutions to problems. Candidates must hold an accredited Bachelors or Masters degree in engineering or technology - and possess extensive practical work experience, which will be assessed as part of the application.
When it comes to applying for jobs, it is better to take time on a small number of applications than take the scatter gun approach and send CVs out to any role that takes your fancy. Our website gives the the option to filter intuitively using a number of criteria. Browse our Engineering Jobs and find your perfect career.