Euan MacLean IEng MIMechE

What inspired you to become an engineer?

At a young age, I have been interested in understanding how complex things are made and what makes them tick. In my career now, I get to see all the small steps that contribute to that big complex project. I am a Project Engineer working within the Process and Energy Sector at Wood plc. I manage multi-disciplinary engineering teams to execute engineering projects for one of Scotland’s largest petrochemical manufacturing facilities. These projects aim to improve safety, sustainability, and reliability of aging assets.

Why did you become an Incorporated Engineer with the IMechE?

I became an Incorporated Engineer through progression of my Engineering Technician membership as I reached the next benchmark of my career. It’s important that as your experience and knowledge develop, that you keep your progress measured against internationally recognisable industry benchmarks of competence. Within the next five years, I aspire to achieve a Masters in Engineering Project Management as I refine my engineering management skills to take on the challenges of tomorrow – sustainable infrastructure for energy and materials manufacturing to achieve a net zero future.

How has IMechE membership/professional registration benefited you and your career?

IMechE membership is incredibly helpful to those coming through apprenticeships and graduate schemes – it really helps young people transition through the gap between study and the workplace.

My apprenticeship and university studies have been supported through the Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year Award, EngTech of the Year Award, and most recently by providing access to the Whitworth Scholarship Award Scheme to support development to Chartered Engineer status through further education.

Professional registration has been important in substantiating the knowledge and experience developed in the early stages – it gives an early benchmark to give confidence to the ‘young’ engineer.

It opens opportunities for career development and provides clients with assurances in terms of quality of training – it makes the company you work for more favourable for future projects.

How has the Institution supported you?

The Institution has supported me at each stage of my career – goal setting during my apprenticeship, opportunities through the Apprentice and EngTech Awards, access to scholarship funding for further study through the Whitworth Society. Membership events have also been invaluable in my transition from EngTech to IEng registration – I have received support from the Institution to help realise when and where I’ve demonstrated competences when I may not have realised myself. The online and physical Library has really benefited me through my Honours Degree dissertation as I was able to access additional sources of engineering literature.

Which member benefits do you value?

Community is very valuable aspect of joining an Institution, to build networks with like-minded individuals committed to continuous professional development and have access to industry experts to help solve great engineering challenges.

There is something beneficial for everyone no matter what stage of your engineering career: for the apprentices and students looking to find how they can best bridge the projected skills gap in engineering, for the recently qualified engineer looking to benchmark and add a degree of professionalism to their CV, for the senior engineer at the forefront of the UKs greatest engineering challenges, solving through first principles and looking to inspire the next generation.

You can only inspire change by being a part of it - register as an IMechE member and get involved!

Find out more about becoming an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).