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Let’s talk about Initial Professional Development (IPD)

Institution News Team

Laura Steedman
Laura Steedman

Many graduates are unsure about how to record their work experience and how to use the tools that are available to them as IMechE members.

The Scottish Region ran a successful webinar in October which provided guidance and tips for Developing Engineers. It was a great initiative and had almost 100 attendees from across the globe in attendance.

On the night, the Chair of Aberdeen Area Committee, Steve Cromar, CEng FIMechE gave a brief update on local activities.

Sandra Mulligan, IMechE Business Development Manager for Scotland explained the academic requirements needed to gain registration as a Chartered, Incorporated or Eng Tech member of IMechE. She also provided an overview of the Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS), the Supported Registration Scheme (SRS) and the Developing Engineers Programme (DEP). In addition, Sandra shared guidance and tips on writing up quarterly reports, the writing style required in the application form and what to expect at the Professional Review Interview.

Laura Steedman, a mechanical engineer working in the energy sector joined the event as a guest speaker to share her experiences of MPDS. Laura has worked for BP since 2014, is passionate about the energy transition and is part of the Hydrogen Committee organising a SPE Hydrogen Workshop. She has previous experience working as a manufacturing engineer at Rolls-Royce and was involved with a carbon sequestration start-up, presenting the business case in China. In her spare time, Laura is an active STEM Ambassador, mentor, public speaker and member of the IMechE Aberdeen Young Member’s Panel Committee.

Her main pieces of advice for Developing Engineers are to

  • Utilise the IMechE network
  • Mentor and be mentored
  • Reflect on and celebrate your progress.

Laura gained CEng status in November.

A lively Q&A took place as part of the event with an interesting and varied array of questions from the audience including:

  • Do you have any advice for how to provide evidence for work that is in a classified or sensitive industry eg defence?
  • How can I locate a nearby members panel?
  • My BEng is not accredited by IMechE however, my MSc is. What does this mean when I want to apply for CEng in the future?
  • As a mechanical engineering student at the University of Malaya, is there anything that can be done during these last 2 years which can help with gaining professional registration?
  • I am a final-year undergraduate who worked in industry for a gap year. How simple is the process to apply for EngTech now?
  • Is there a quarterly report template to follow?

Feedback on the event was very positive. Sandra has arranged a similar event for December 2 from 18.30, ‘Let’s talk about mentoring’.  Bookings can be made here https://bit.ly/35hVrtU This event will be recorded.

If you would like to have a webinar delivered at your place of work, please get in touch with the BDM Team, content may be tailored to meet your needs bdm@imeche.org.

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