BAE Systems stresses value of professional registration

Well-trained engineers foster greater confidence across the business, says defence firm

High levels of professional accreditation within an organisation builds a 'virtuous circle' of confidence that permeates through all levels of staff, a top engineer at BAE Systems has said.

Speaking at an event at the House of Commons to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-Spec), Chris Allam, engineering and programme management director for BAE Systems, said that having large numbers of professional engineers reinforced a commitment to skills and helped the entire workforce operate more effectively.

He said: “Registration is important, it promotes continuing professional development. Industry needs its engineers to be confident, it is crucial to the upskilling of any organisation. In short, professional accreditation helps create a virtuous circle.”

Allam's comments came at an event hosted by Sir Peter Luff MP, with representatives from across the profession coming together to celebrate professional engineering standards. Luff said that engineering was a key driver of the economy and that professional registration was the gold-standard of qualification. “It is the benchmark of 21^st century capabilities,” he said.

But Luff went on to voice concerns that not enough young people were coming into the profession. “We need more engineers, more apprentices and more technicians,” he said. “And we all have a role to play in helping young people make informed choices.”

UK-Spec was initially launched in 2003 and first revised during 2008. The third edition, launched at the House of Commons event, was the result of industry consultation from across the profession. Professor Isobel Pollock, chair of the UK-Spec review steering group, said: “The third edition builds on the strengths of the original and adheres to its fundamental principles and aims.

“It presents Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer as part of a progressive registration structure. It also stresses the value placed on every engineer and technician, no matter what their title, who each have an important and unique role to play in every engineering project or organisation.”

UK-Spec is available for download at www.engc.org.uk