In 2011, the Institution celebrated an historic landmark with the election of its 100,000th member. More members than ever before were elected to paying grades, and crucially, the number of paying members also increased for the first time since 1991. The number of membership applications collectively grew by an impressive 13.8% in 2011, building on the 18.5% growth experienced in 2010.
The five yearly Engineering Council licence review was highly successful, with the EC commenting on the quality of the way in which the Institution maintains its licence. We received a high score of 18/20 with no remedial measures requested. A number of long-term marketing campaigns were successfully deployed to grow the membership. Some 350 EngTechs were elected in 2011: an increase of just under 90% – making IMechE the fastest growing professional engineering institution for EngTechs – while 955 Fellows were elected: more than double the 2010 figure. The number of Chartered and Incorporated Engineers elected also rose to 1,590, while there was a 38% increase in the number of Associates elected: from 1,857 in 2010 to 2,578 in 2011.
The Institution innovated to support existing members and ensure a positive experience for new applicants. New online functionality garnered increased applications across Affiliate and Associate grades, while the new streamlined process for Chartered and Incorporated Engineers paid dividends with the receipt of 12 completed applications within just a few weeks of launch in December.
The new Career Developer tool proved popular, receiving 54,000 visits in its first seven months from 22,000 unique users, of whom 10,000 are involved with MPDS and 12,000 are members undertaking long-term CPD. The simplified Career Learning Assessments were taken up in greater number by older Associate members who did not meet the full academic requirements for chartership.
Long term marketing initiatives, the work of the Business Development team and the Institution’s high profile in the world of engineering, should help us to maintain our members’ prized status as part of a thriving global community of engineers in 2012.