The Institution is combining its efforts with industry and training providers to focus on developing the Engineering Technician (EngTech) community. According to the professional alliance Engineering the Future’s recent policy statement, ‘Investing in Skills for the Future’, technician roles account for 65% of current skills shortage vacancies; and under-represented groups (including women) are most noticeably absent at apprentice level. Engineering the Future also states that, “Technicians’ skills are crucial in industry”.
It says a concerted effort to attract, retain and develop technicians – as seen in the Institution’s ongoing drive to recruit and migrate former apprentices to EngTech – is highly recommended: “Formal [professional] recognition would enhance the attraction of careers at this level (which can often lead to full engineering professional status) while ensuring the completion of apprenticeships.”
Institution Business Development Executives Paul Tabern and Jill Dwyer have recently held events to develop understanding and take-up of professional registration. The sessions – which enable technicians and newly qualified apprentices to network with their peers, training providers and local industry figures, – are a way of driving the progression of apprentices to full membership, which has seen good results over the past six months.
‘Developing Technicians as Professionals’, kindly hosted by Wirral Metropolitan College, was one such free event. Jill noted that, in accordance with the Institution’s stated objective to encourage professional registration as EngTech, a number of local technicians and recently completed apprentices from companies in the area were invited, and she thanked local volunteers, and their hosts, for their support.
She added: “EngTech is independent recognition of a technician’s knowledge, skills and competence and opens up resources, opportunities and support for their career development, as well as a vital professional network through the Institution. It is increasingly important that we at the Institution, and our partners in training and industry, support professional registration of former apprentices: it is essential that we encourage, recognise and value the work they do.”
Ron Faulkner, Chairman of the Merseyside and North Wales Region, gave a talk at the event and his regional colleagues were there to show support. He said that, for a number of years, the area committee’s main objective has been: “To foster and encourage young people to select engineering as a worthwhile and rewarding professional career. As we are passionate in particular about apprenticeships within this region, we have been developing close relationships with apprentice training providers and colleges.”
Their presence at Wirral Metropolitan College was just one example of the great work that Ron and his colleagues carry out in the name of local educational outreach.
Mike Renfrey, from TATA Steel Shotton, came to the college and was accompanied by five former apprentices, principally to make a start on their EngTech applications. He talked to those assembled about how the company develops its technicians, and explained that over previous decades the company had always used the Monitored Professional Development Scheme for its graduate engineers.
He said that recently, at Shotton, the plant has begun to prioritise its technicians’ career development: “Over the last two or three years TATA Steel Shotton has seen a change of focus, with a lot of effort directed to how we can develop our own engineering crafts men and women for engineering roles in the future. To this end, the EngTech route not only recognises the successful completion of apprenticeships, but also provides a structured approach for those wanting to take their careers further. Now, there is a potential pathway to working through to Chartered Engineer level.”
The apprentices' supervisor, Haydn Beech, also attended the evening. He is keen that technicians who have come through an apprenticeship are encouraged to take up the advantages of becoming EngTech with the Institution.
Sally Wysocki, speaking on behalf of Wirral Metropolitan College, which also provided refreshments and a tour of its engineering workshops, said: “We are always keen to develop close links with professional institutions and employers, and this evening has helped to promote professional progression opportunities for students (current and former), and apprentices.”
One young engineer working towards professional registration, who praised the work of the Institution, and specifically Jill Dwyer, is Rebecca Benson. She is a former TTE multi-skilled engineering apprentice based in Ellesmere Port, and is currently a Process Operator at Essar Oil Refinery, Stanlow. She joined the Institution when she began her apprenticeship, encouraged by the information she was given about membership at her training centre and appreciates the news, training and guidance the Institution provides.
In particular, she noted that Jill’s support has made a difference to her development: “Having gained awareness of the benefits of becoming EngTech I learned even more positive reasons to develop my membership with the Institution on completion of my apprenticeship. Jill takes a hands-on approach to help those looking to gain a recognised professional accreditation, and her response to my request for help in this was to organise a workshop, at my workplace, to help me and a number of colleagues who were also keen to complete the registration.”
A similar evening to that in Birkenhead was held in Rugby on 23 October, organised by Paul Tabern. It also focused on developing the registration and membership of technicians and former apprentices, and raised awareness of the benefits of registering with the Institution. The event was kindly hosted by Warwickshire College.
Apprentices keen to learn about professional registration to EngTech; those who have completed an approved apprenticeship scheme; and members of companies who wish to find out more about developing their technician employees should email Jill Dwyer and Paul Tabern: bdm@imeche.org