IGEM
Technical Report Option
Workshop
Tuesday 24th September 2013
Purpose
To clarify for new assessors and current and
potential CEng and IEng applicants who do
not have the exemplifying qualifications,
what is required to achieve a successful
Technical Report as part of their application
for professional registration.
Desired Outcomes
• Understanding of the purpose and role of the Technical Report
in the professional registration process
• Understanding of the IGEM Technical Report process and the
support available from the Institution
• Understanding of the requirements for preparing and
delivering a successful Technical Report
• Clarity on what Assessors expect of a Technical Report
• Potential candidates to have a clearer view on how to draft an
appropriate synopsis
• Potential candidates are able to judge whether the Technical
Report route is likely to be appropriate for them
• Feedback suggestions to improve the EngC/IGEM process
Time
Programme Activity
Led By
10:30 – 10:35
Welcome & Introduction
Malcolm Howe
10:35 – 10:40
Route to membership
Malcolm Howe
10:40 – 11:00
Exemplifying qualifications for CEng / IEng and
options for applicants without them
David Key
11:00 – 11:20
Technical Report Option Requirements
Malcolm Howe
11:20 – 11:40
Role of the Mentor and Mentee
David Key / TBC
11:40 – 12:00
Technical Report Synopsis and List of Contents
Gordon Davies
12:00 – 12:30
Preparation of the Technical Report
Geoff Lloyd
12:30 – 13:10
Lunch
13:10 – 14:00
Assessment of the Technical Report and IGEM approval
process
David Key / Ross McCart
14:00 – 15:00
Questions and Answers on individual applications /
issues
All Presenters
15:00
Summing up, feedback to IGEM and further IGEM
assistance
Malcolm Howe
Approx 15:30
Finish
Introductions
Including:
• Brief resume of qualifications and
experience
• What you would like from the workshop
Route to
Membership
Malcolm Howe
Receive initial Membership enquiry
UKSPEC exemplifying qualifications?
Yes
Sufficient relevant
experience?
No
Technical report or other
option?
Yes
Professional review process
EngC registered member
Entry Level
Professional Development
Requirement
Technical Report Preparation
Category/Grade of Membership
Eng Tech Route B
B Eng + Further Learning
or M Eng
Professional
Development
Member
C Eng
Technical
Report
HND/Foundation Degree +
Further Learning or B Eng
Professional
Development
Member
I Eng
Technical
Report
GNVQS/NVQ 3/4 or Equivalent
in Engineering Subject
Professional
Development
Member
Eng Tech
Non-engineering qualification
at or above S/NVQ Level 3
Professional
Development
Manager
Member
Technical
Report
S/NVQ 1/2 or Equivalent in
Engineering subject
Professional
Development
Eng Tech
Route B
Associate
Member
Student
Professional
Development
Eng Tech
Route B
Associate
No qualifications
Professional
Development
Technical
Report
Exemplifying
Qualifications for CEng
and IEng
David Key
Exemplifying Qualifications
CEng
An accredited Bachelors degree with honours in
engineering or technology (3 years full-time or 4
years with a work placement)
Plus
Either an appropriate Masters degree accredited
by a professional engineering institution, or
appropriate further learning to Masters level
Or
An accredited MEng (4 years full-time)
Exemplifying Qualifications
Please note:
Accredited degrees are listed on the Engineering
Council website
National Recognition Information System, NARIC
UK, makes formal ‘academic’ assessments of
non-UK degrees and other qualifications
Qualifications hold their historic accreditation
values
Exemplifying Qualifications
Similar arrangements apply to IEng
An IEng accredited Bachelors or honours degree
in engineering or technology
Or
A Higher National Certificate or Diploma or
Foundation degree, plus appropriate further
learning to degree level
Or
An NVQ4 or SVQ4 which has been approved for
the purpose by a licensed engineering institution
Examples of Exam
Questions from
Exemplifying
Qualifications
Options for Applicants without
Exemplifying Qualifications
Candidates who do not have the exemplifying
qualifications must clearly demonstrate they
have achieved the same level of knowledge
and understanding as those with exemplifying
qualifications.
What are the options?
Options for Applicants without
Exemplifying Qualifications
• Taking further qualifications (top up)
• Completing appropriate work-based or
experiential learning
• Writing a Technical Report, based on the
candidate’s experience and demonstrating
his/her knowledge and understanding of
engineering principles and their application
Technical Report Option
Malcolm Howe
What are the specific requirements for the
Technical Report?
Candidates should:
• Have completed appropriate initial professional
development; and
• Have exercised engineering responsibility commensurate
with Registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer
• Have one of the following qualifications and/or have
experienced a period of relevant engineering experience in
posts of increasing responsibility to the appropriate level
What are the specific requirements for
the Technical Report?
CEng:
• BEng (Hons) accredited engineering degree plus
relevant experience (in lieu of a formal period of
further learning)
• Relevant HND/HNC plus relevant experience
• No relevant qualifications plus substantial relevant
experience
What are the specific requirements for
the Technical Report?
IEng:
• Relevant HND / HNC / NVQ Level 4 plus relevant
experience (in lieu of a formal period of further
learning)
• No relevant qualifications plus substantial relevant
experience
Role of the Mentor
David Key
Mentoring Relationships
Follow a life cycle:
•
•
•
•
Rapport building
Setting direction
Making progress
Winding down
The Role of the Mentor
•
•
•
•
•
•
Communication
Organisation
Location
Flexibility
Manage Expectations
Feedback
The Role of the Mentor
•
•
•
•
•
•
Test
Fearless
Change management
Know your limits
What makes a successful mentor?
Benefits/What’s in it for me?
Common Areas that Mentors overlook
• Commercial Acumen – generally
• Depth of Engineering knowledge required
for Chartered Membership, particularly via
the Technical Report route
• Applying creativity
• Team / Section Management
• Environmental Practice/Knowledge required.
• The role of the Institution
Role of the Mentee
Ryan Love
My Stages of Membership
Jan 2007 – Graduate Member
Jan 2010 – Engineering Technician (EngTech)





Feb 2010 – IEng Synopsis Approved
Jul 2011 – IEng Technical Report Sent
Sept 2011 – IEng Technical Report Interview
Oct 2011 – Professional Review Interview
Nov 2011 – IEng Status Confirmed
Nov 2011 – Incorporated (IEng)
 Dec 2012 – CEng Synopsis Sent
 Apr 2013 – CEng Synopsis Recommendations Returned
 Sept 2013 – CEng Recommendations Reviewed
Entry Level
Professional Development
Requirement
Technical Report Preparation
Category/Grade of Membership
Eng Tech Route B
B Eng + Further Learning
or M Eng
Professional
Development
Member
C Eng
Technical
Report
HND/Foundation Degree +
Further Learning or B Eng
Professional
Development
Member
I Eng
Technical
Report
GNVQS/NVQ 3/4 or Equivalent
in Engineering Subject
Professional
Development
Member
Eng Tech
Non-engineering qualification
at or above S/NVQ Level 3
Professional
Development
Manager
Member
Technical
Report
S/NVQ 1/2 or Equivalent in
Engineering subject
Professional
Development
Eng Tech
Route B
Associate
Member
Student
Professional
Development
Eng Tech
Route B
Associate
No qualifications
Professional
Development
Technical
Report
Requirements / Rewards
What you need!
• An Interest
(in subject)
• Commitment
What you get!
• Status
• Opportunity
(Doors Opened)
• Objective/Goal (Status / Promotion) • Self Satisfaction
• A Plan
• Knowledge
Working with a Mentor
Mentor assigned in January 2010 and provided
guidance in the development of the Synopsis.
Email and video conferencing allowed cross
channel communication to clearly understand
the nature of the project that would form the
basis of my Technical Report.
I received on-going, timely support throughout
the process.
Personal Help
• Work project linked to Technical Report
• Support from work
• External support
– University link
• Mentee driven
• Awareness of 4 areas of assessment
Conclusion
• Subject matter for the Technical Report doesn’t need
to relate directly to your current role or company
• IGEM were extremely helpful in assisting me to
identify the appropriate academic level for the
Technical Report
• I saved time and pain by not trying to stretch a past
project or current activity to ‘fit’ the academic
requirement
• The 4 areas of assessment allow candidates to score
higher in areas they may be stronger in
• CEng challenge?????
The Technical Report
Gordon Davies
Synopsis for the Technical Report
• Description of the project
• Demonstrating the candidate’s personal role
and responsibility in the project
• Demonstrating the candidate’s personal
understanding of underlying scientific and
engineering principles and their application in
the project
Template for Preparing the Synopsis
Part 1: Contents List
Part 2: Project Idea Statement:
I will demonstrate my knowledge and understanding of the
engineering principles for this project by … etc.
Part 3: Personal Role Statement:
I will describe my personal role and responsibilities in the
project at the grade of my application, i.e CEng or IEng level …
etc
Part 4: Academic Level Statement:
I will demonstrate my knowledge and understanding of the
project to MEng or equivalent level for CEng and to BEng level
or equivalent for IEng by … etc
KEY
To indicate how you will demonstrate your
understanding of
scientific and engineering
principles
commensurate with the level of qualification
required for the grade of membership being
applied for
Examples of Synopsis and
Technical Reports
Preparation of the
Technical Report
Geoffrey Lloyd
Different Kinds of Reports
Reports come in many different
shapes and sizes. Their primary
function is to:
• Inform
• Persuade
• Recommend
Five cardinal principles underpin the style and
presentation, namely:•
•
•
•
•
Accuracy
Clarity
Simplicity
Logical Development
A pleasing physical appearance of the report
as a whole
Model for the Research Report
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Title Page
Declaration
Abstract
Acknowledgement
Contents Page
List of Tables
Introduction, Aims
and Objectives of
Research
• Previous literature
• Research Methodology
• Main Findings and
Analysis
• Discussion
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
(and further research)
• Bibliography
(reference section)
• Appendices
Use of Footnotes in a Report
Registration with Gas Safe is now compulsory for anyone wishing
to attempt work on gas appliances and gas installations.[1]
[1]Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for the
UK, Isle of Man & Guernsey. Appointed by the relevant Health &
Safety Authority for each area. By law all Gas Engineers must be
on the Gas Safe Register. Gas Safe Register is run by Capita Gas
Registration & Ancillary Services Ltd, a division of Capita Group
Plc. Gas Safe register replaced CORGI as the gas registration body
in Great Britain & the Isle of Man on 1st April 2009 & Northern
Ireland and Guernsey on 1st April 2010. The HSE carried out a
review of gas safety in 2006 which, after consultation with the gas
industry, Engineers and the public, led to the decision to change to
a new gas registration scheme. The sole focus of the register is on
improving & maintaining gas safety to the highest standards.
`I regret however that the Survey Officer who is responsible for
the preliminary investigation as to the technical possibility of
installing a telephone at the address quoted by any applicant
has reported that owing to a shortage of a spare pair of wires
to the underground cable (a pair of wires leading from the
point near your house right back to the local exchange and
thus a pair of wires essential for the provision of telephone
service for you) is lacking and that therefore it is a technical
impossibility to install a telephone for you at……’
‘I regret to inform you that we are unable to install a telephone
without considerable expense because there is no cable
connecting your home to the main underground network and the
local exchange’
Report Length
2,000 – 10,000 words
WE DO NOT WANT A PhD
THESIS!
Preparation of the Technical Report
As simple as ABC
• Accuracy
• Brevity
• Clarity
Checklist
Have I kept to the original topic & covered all the main points?
Have I gone into sufficient depth to demonstrate that I understand
the underlying engineering principles & can apply them in a rigorous
and logical manner?
Are the points that I make relevant to the topic, argument or
outcome?
Have I supported my themes, calculations & arguments adequately
by using relevant theory, examples & references?
Have I set out my thought processes, what decisions I made & why?
Have I acknowledged all sources & references?
Have I written clearly?
Have I remained within the word count?
Have I completed the authenticity statement to the papers?
Lunch Break
Assessment of the
Technical Report
David Key
Assessment Criteria
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Technical Skills
Theoretical knowledge
Summative
Formative
Innovation and ideas development
Research background
Career appraisal
Technical Report Assessment
• Candidate submits completed application and
Technical Report
- Was it reviewed by the Mentor?
• Two Assessors appointed by IGEM
• Initial review of Technical Report
- Does it meet the objectives set out in the agreed synopsis?
- Preliminary score given (Scoring discussed later)
• IGEM arrange Technical Report Interview if
report deemed acceptable
The Interview
• Two trained Assessors
- an independent observer may also attend
• Normally 1 - 1½ hours
• It is an academic test but informal
- So try to relax!
• The Assessors have already deemed your
report acceptable
- It’s about showing you can communicate and you understand
what you have written
The Interview
• Give a brief overview of your report and put it
into a broader context (15 mins)
• Remember the Assessors want to establish that
you understand and know about engineering
principles relevant to your report
• Interview conclusions
– Your opportunity to ask questions and clarify any points
• After the interview, Assessors complete scoring
sheets
Methods of Assessment
4 Assessment Criteria Used
A. Structure of report, creativity and referencing
B. Written expression, definition, style,
presentation and readability
C. Evidence of theory and application of
engineering principles to Bachelor level (IEng)
or Masters level (CEng)
D. Ability to handle issues and draw conclusions
Scoring
A. Structure of report, creativity and referencing
1. Lacks structure, addresses topic in a limited manner,
referencing inaccurate or incomplete.
2.
Addresses the topic with some evidence of structure,
some referencing and evidence of flair.
3. Addresses the topic in logical and structured manner,
accurate research referencing and creativity
demonstrated.
4. Clearly addresses the task in a structured and logical
manner, good support documentation, highly creative.
B .Written expression, definition, style,
presentation and readability
1. Meaning not always clear, lacks focus, presentation
does not meet requirements.
2. Meaning and text reasonably clear, does not always
make the point, evidence of logical style,
presentation satisfactory.
3. Meaning clear, illustrated frequently in a logical
manner, well presented and finished.
4. Meaning clear and fluent, originality in thought and
expression, high standard of presentation.
C. Evidence of theory and application of engineering
principles to Bachelor level (IEng) or Masters
level (CEng)
1. Limited evidence of background knowledge and
understanding, poor supporting theory, errors and
inaccuracies, weak application.
2. Evidence of subject knowledge and understanding, no
significant errors, limited development of theory,
understands principles.
3. Adequate to good arguments and points, demonstrates
understanding, no significant errors, good application.
4. Comprehensive development of ideas, clear evidence of
understanding with sound application of principles.
D. Ability to handle issues and draw conclusions
1. Superficial relevance and limited comprehension,
errors in judgments and misleading summary.
2. Some relevant issues are identified and discussed,
shows comprehension, no significant errors or
omissions, some conclusions drawn.
3. Relevant issues and problems identified and
discussed with some analysis, good summary of
lessons learned.
4. Relevant issues and problems identified and
discussed with some analysis and synthesis, action
plan identified.
Scoring
Scoring system is used twice
(a)Pre-Interview and (b) At Interview
(a)Assessors will make an initial assessment
for each of the criteria A to D, based on
the Technical Report
If the overall score is less than 8 the candidate
is normally asked to revise and re-submit.
(b) At Interview
Second assessment of criteria C & D made
Applicants should normally score at least two 3’s
and two 2’s (Total 10), including at least one 3
in C or D
Successful applicants are invited to proceed to
Professional Review Interview
(N.B Not undertaken by the TR Assessors)
IGEM
Approval Process
Ross McCart
IGEM
IGEM Approval Process
• Submit a completed corporate application form
and a 500 word synopsis including a contents list
• Synopsis submitted to Academic Panel for
approval
• Word limit of full Technical Report advised
• Prepare Technical Report and submit
• Two IGEM Assessors appointed
• Approve Technical Report?
- Assess Technical Report
- Attend Technical Report Interview
• Now meets qualification requirements!
Arbitration and Appeals Procedure
•
Appellant
Written notice of intention within 4 weeks of
receipt of notification
• IGEM
Membership explain procedure of what constitutes
grounds for appeal and request appeal fee of £30
•
Appellant
Within a further 4 weeks, written statement of
grounds for appeal and supporting statements
from sponsors
IGEM
• Membership Staff refer the case to CEO
• CEO conducts investigation and refers the case
to Council
• Council sets up an Appeals Panel of 2
experienced members not on the Membership
Committee & not on the original Professional
Review Panel
• Panel review case and may interview candidate
• Panel report the recommendation to Council
• Council make a final decision
IGEM Decision
• CEO conveys decision to
o Candidate
o Membership Department
o Membership Committee
Appellant
• Appeal successful
o Fee refunded
o Proceed through standard application route
• Appeal not successful
o Fee retained
Technical Report Clinic
Questions & Answers
Break out Groups
Individual discussions as necessary
Workshop Review &
Feedback
Purpose
To clarify for current and potential CEng and
IEng applicants who do not have the exemplifying
qualifications, what is required to achieve a
successful Technical Report as part of their
application for professional registration
Desired Outcomes
• Understanding of the purpose and role of the Technical
Report in the professional registration process
• Understanding of the IGEM Technical Report process and
the support available from the Institution
• Understanding of the requirements for preparing and
delivering a successful Technical Report
• Clarity on what Assessors expect of a Technical Report
• Potential candidates to have a clearer view on how to draft
an appropriate synopsis
• Potential candidates are able to judge whether the
Technical Report route is likely to be appropriate for them
• Feedback suggestions to improve the EngC/IGEM process
Feedback Form
We would appreciate your thoughts and
comments on the Technical Report Option
workshop held today so that we can tailor
future workshops to meet expectations.
A feedback form is provided in your delegate
pack, please complete this and hand to IGEM
staff.