This site provides information about a pathway to professional
qualification for working engineers without the full exemplifying
academic qualifications, who are interested in becoming
professionally qualified and are unable to commit to full-time
study. Employees are able to demonstrate the required
competences for professional registration (UK-SPEC) at the same time as meeting the
learning objectives for an academic qualification.
The framework for this route was developed as part of a
government-funded initiative 'Gateways to the Professions'. The Engineering Council led the work which
also involved universities, PEIs and employer
representatives.
A Learning Contract approach is used
and successful completion leads to the award of an appropriate
academic qualification and eligibility to apply for a
Professional Review Interview with a participating Professional
Engineering Institution. A summary of the pathway and benefits
is here.
The first participants are enrolled on the MSc Professional Engineering
that opens a route to Chartered Engineer. A similar model is
available for those seeking to become Incorporated
Engineers Guide to the Bachelors degree in Professional
Engineering.
An interim Registration Protocol between the
Engineering Council and the Professional Engineering Institutions
describes the process for the registration of candidates enrolled
on the programmes. Interested PEIs are invited to contact the
Engineering Council.
Enrolment is
via one of the participating universities.
Programmes at other universities and colleges are expected to
be available shortly. Academic institutions interested in
participating should contact the Engineering Council.
The overall
aim is to create an affordable and flexible life-long work-based
learning escalator that allows progression to
professional registration whilst minimising the level of debt
incurred and at the same time maximising employment and earnings
prospects. An interim evaluation of the engineering gateways
initiative has been carried out and is available here.