What is an ILO?
ILOs are IMechE’s representatives in industry. They are there to act as a first point of contact for colleagues in their company who are members, or just want some information about the Institution or mechanical engineering.
They are not expected to answer all the queries which arise regarding the Institution, however, they need to be able to direct people to the right person within the Institution to answer their query.
What sort of person can become an ILO?
There is no set ‘type’ of person. At the moment ILOs include people in Personnel and Training, recent engineering graduates, senior engineers, and Chief Executives. In companies where there are a large number of engineers, there is often a case for having two ILOs, acting as an Industrial Liaison Team, one involved with training and the other a senior/experienced mechanical engineer.
The two things all ILOs have in common is an interest in engineering and a desire to see their colleagues progress to the best of their ability.
So, what do ILOs do?
There is no set role for an ILO. Some will need to play a much more active part than others, depending on the level of support in their company. However, there are six key aspects to the role:
1. Receive and try to deal with membership enquiries from existing and potential members in their company.
· This may involve providing initial guidance to members and prospective members on how to progress through the different levels of membership. It may extend to giving advice on Initial Professional Development (IPD) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
2. Try to track the membership progression of each IMechE member within their company.
· Ensure that members who could transfer from Affiliate or Associate grade to Member grade and Member grade to Fellowship are encouraged to do so
· Assist and guide members, and prospective members, in completing their membership forms
· Follow up and attempt to resolve any problems with individual membership applications
3. Attend occasional regional ILO networking and training meetings.
· Be up-dated on IMechE activities and changes in policy, benefits and services
· Become acquainted with other ILOs in the area
· Share problems and discuss solutions with fellow ILOs
4. Visit ILO web pages.
· Maintain regular contact with the IMechE website, in particular the ILO web pages.
5. Share information with IMechE contacts about relevant and significant changes both in their industry and in their company.
· Inform IMechE staff about changes in the circumstances and nature of their company
· Inform the IMechE about the benefits and services most valued by members and prospective members
· Identify any deficiencies in the IMechE’s service to members
6. Promote the status of engineers within their company.
· Maintain a personal link with all engineers in their company
· Organise in-house events to promote the positive contribution those engineers make to the company’s success
· Encourage senior Directors, HR and Training Managers to attend major IMechE conferences and events
· Promote regional and national events to the members in their sphere of influence
So, what are the benefits of being an ILO?
· You can gain satisfaction from helping others develop
· You will obtain a position of responsibility
· It demonstrates a strong commitment to professional and personal development
· It demonstrates a strong commitment to the engineering profession and its members
· You may also participate in, and seek to influence, the activities run by local IMechE committees
· You will have a better opportunity than anyone else in the company to know what is going on, both in the profession and in your area
It is important that ILOs have a working knowledge of the IMechE and hold a position of influence in their place of work. Support for ILOs is available both locally and from IMechE headquarters in London.
For more details and support please contact the Industrial Liaison Executive based in London, IMechE Headquarters.
Telephone: 020 7973 1252 or email:
ilo@imeche.org