While the overall success rate for MPDS applicants remains exceptionally high, these findings reinforce some of the key principles that underpin an effective scheme.
Regular and timely reporting is a fundamental part of the MPDS process. It allows developing engineers to record their experience while it is fresh, supports meaningful discussions with mentors, and helps ensure that competence development is reviewed and evidenced throughout the registration journey. Consistent reporting also enables any concerns or development needs to be identified and addressed at an early stage.
Mentors also play a crucial role in the success of developing engineers. Effective mentoring helps candidates understand the requirements for professional registration, reflect on their experiences, and identify opportunities to further develop and demonstrate their competence. Ensuring that mentors have completed the appropriate training helps them provide the best possible support.
For Scheme Administrators and employers, these findings highlight the importance of maintaining engagement throughout the programme, encouraging timely reporting, and ensuring mentor training records are kept up to date.
The PDSC is sharing these insights to support continuous improvement across accredited schemes and to help employers, mentors and developing engineers maximise the benefits of MPDS. By maintaining regular engagement, timely reporting and effective mentoring, schemes can continue to provide developing engineers with the strongest possible foundation for a successful Professional Review outcome.
MPDS handbook
Check out our new MPDS Handbook. This brings together MPDS knowledge, expectations, and best practices into one guide for Developing Engineers, Mentors, Scheme Administrators, Owners, and Assessors. It is your essential must-have throughout the MPDS journey. Download the handbook.
Preparing an MPDS DE for their PRI
Henry Fullerton, Interviews Facilitator, provides preparation advice for all Developing Engineers about to go to their Professional Review Interview:
For every applicant, the upcoming Professional Review Interview (PRI) is a major milestone in their engineering career, and one which carries a fairly daunting image. With careful preparation supported by the Mentor, the applicant should have a positive and enjoyable PRI experience.
In any company MPDS, it is really beneficial to have at least one mentor who is a trained and active PRI Assessor, so that mock PRIs can be conducted based on knowledge of current PRI practice. Mock PRIs are encouraged, and can take away the myths and mystique about the PRI.
No applicant should ever dread their PRI, but they should prepare well for it. All that the Assessors are allowed to know about the applicant is what is in the application, so the questions will be based on the content of the application. It’s often useful for the applicant to have some (no more than 3 or 4) pictorials prepared, which can be shown briefly during the PRI to expand on points being discussed.
The best prepared applicants we see at PRI will have three things with them:
- Their application
- Pictorials
- A list of the 10 or 12 key points that they want to put across during the PRI
At the end of the PRI, when the panel have exhausted their questions, the applicant will be asked if they have anything to add. That’s where No 3 is vital.
Finally, each applicant will be asked whether they have read IMechE's Code of Conduct, and to explain what it means to them. Make sure your DE has read and can discuss the CoC.
PRI Process
We interviewed Wendy Bekoe, Membership Applications Executive within the Membership Applications, to find out more about the PRI process.
How long does it take roughly for a Developing Engineer to become a CEng or IEng, from submitting the application to being elected to Professional Registration status?
Applications are reviewed and interviews are conducted by volunteer Chartered and Fellow engineers, so the membership process for IEng and CEng typically takes between 3-4 months, with all being well. Most of our assessors have their own day jobs that they have to work around, so we rely on their availability to carry out the necessary tasks for the applications. At times we really need (and appreciate) your patience!
Is there a specific time of year when applications for Full Membership are at a peak?
Typically, the busiest time is the last quarter of the year, as many applicants hope to gain professional registration before the year ends. However, summer 2026 was also very busy for us.
What advice would your team give to applicants that will help them to avoid any delays or issues with their application?
Please make sure your qualifications have been confirmed as being accredited for the membership you are applying for, prior to submitting your application! This is the issue that causes the longest delay, because the application will then have to be placed on hold while you go through an Academic Review or Career Learning Assessment.
Delays can also be avoided by ensuring that your Organisation Chart is included with your application, your sponsors are professionally registered and/or eligible, and that both your sponsors’ and your own signatures are in the correct format and not typed fonts.
Do you have any advice for an applicant before they attend their interview?
We would strongly recommend watching our video Top Tips For An Online Professional Review Interview on our IMechE YouTube channel. For one-to-one guidance, you can also connect with one of our Membership Development Managers by emailing mdm@imeche.org and you will be put in contact with a member of the team.
If an applicant isn’t successful, is there any advice that your team would offer?
Along with the interview outcome, applicants will receive their Interview Report to review what was said by the interviewing assessors. We strongly recommended that they connect with a Membership Development Manager for guidance on making the necessary improvements, and once they are ready, they are welcome to reapply. If reapplication is within two years of the original outcome, there is a discount on the application fee.
Does your team have any interesting stories linked to the PRI process that you are allowed to share?
Back when interviews were conducted in person, an applicant showed up for her interview carrying her infant child in front of her, in a baby sling. The baby remained on her for the duration of the interview, and the applicant went on to be elected for professional registration! The baby clearly knew to stay quiet and just listen…
Upcoming training
Mentor Forum – 12:45 – 1:30pm, 3 November and 9 December: This is a great virtual space to keep your knowledge up to date and share best practice with others from a wide variety of engineering sectors. All Mentors, Scheme Administrators and Developing Engineers are welcome to attend and every month, there is also a guest speaker. If you have ideas for future topics, or just wish to be added to the distribution list, please contact Sandra Mulligan, Senior Membership Development Manager, UK at Sandra.Mulligan@imeche.org.
Mentor Training - 28 October, 12-2pm: Ideal for existing and prospective mentors, human resources and those working with the Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS) or Supported Registration Scheme (SRS). Book a place.
Essentials for Early Years Graduates - 25 November, 10-11am: Webinar that provides tips on using the MPDS and SRS tools, as well as the Developing Engineers Programme. Book a place.
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Engineering challenge
Test your knowledge of engineering with this edition’s challenge! The correct answers will be revealed in the next edition of MPDS Bulletin.
Engineering Challenge for October 2026 – Take the challenge
The correct answers for June’s Engineering Challenge were as follows – 1a, 2b and 3a.
Previous editions
View our previous newsletters.