Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 1 of 10 This guidance is aimed at those looking to become professional members of the Institute, with registration with the Engineering and/or Science Council as appropriate. The Institute strongly encourages those engineers and scientists practising within the UK, who are suitably qualified, to seek registration at the appropriate level with the Engineering and/or Science Council. When submitting an application, please refer to the Application Guidance. Professional membership grades Fellow These are people in senior positions in the nuclear sector who have made a significant contribution to the profession and who are qualified to become members. Member These are professionals within the nuclear industry who develop appropriate solutions to problems through innovation, creativity and change. They are engaged in technical and commercial leadership, possess effective interpersonal skills and hold the relevant qualifications. Associate Member Associate Members are exponents of today’s technology through creativity and innovation. They are variously engaged in technical and commercial management and possess effective interpersonal skills. Technician Member Technician members apply proven techniques and procedures to solving practical problems. They have supervisory or technical responsibility and are competent to exercise creative aptitudes and skills within defined fields of science, engineering or technology appropriate to their grade. Professional membership and registration To become a member of the Nuclear Institute as Fellow, Member, Associate Member or Technician Member grades, applicants must be assessed by the Nuclear Institute through a process known as professional review, carried out by trained practising nuclear professionals who form the Membership Committee. Applicants must demonstrate they have the relevant qualifications (or equivalent), work experience, Nuclear Delta and competencies for the grade, and registration level applied for when applicable. They must also demonstrate a commitment to maintain their competence, work within professional codes and participate actively within the nuclear profession. Individual Route Non Standard Qualifications If required Technical Report If required Assessors Recommendation Completed application submitted Standard Route Application Assessment Technical Interview Interviewers Recommendation Professional Review Interview Successful Application Membership Committee Standard Qualifications Advice provided Unsuccessful Application CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Election Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 2 of 10 There are two different routes to professional membership depending on your experience and qualifications; 1. Standard route – Applicants who have exemplifying qualifications and have met all other potential membership and registration requirements specified by the Nuclear Institute. This includes European Directive Route for Engineering (see below). 2. Individual route – Applicants who do not have exemplifying qualifications but can clearly demonstrate they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding in other ways as those with exemplifying qualifications. Note: An exemplifying qualification means a qualification that has been assessed and approved as meeting the academic requirements for the appropriate grade of registration. Please refer to the Engineering Council database of qualifications or Science Council website for more information on the specific requirements. 1. Standard Route This process applies to applicants who have exemplifying qualifications and have met all other potential membership and registration requirements specified by the Nuclear Institute. On receipt of an application for membership, and professional registration where applicable, the Membership Team check the candidate’s academic qualifications. If the qualifications are exemplifying, the application will be treated as Standard Route. If the qualifications are not exemplifying, the application will be treated as Individual Route. Any unclear or missing information is also requested, before the completed application is then sent to two members of the Membership Committee who assess the application. Following a successful assessment, a Professional Review Interview (PRI) is normally the next step of the assessment process for all registration applications other than those seeking to become Engineering Technicians and those already registered with other professional bodies. For these applicants, assessment may be made on the basis of documentary evidence without a PRI, although an interview may be necessary in certain circumstances. For more information, please see the Interview Guidance. Lastly, the application with assessment report is sent to the Membership Committee. If the application is approved, this results in membership of the Nuclear Institute at the appropriate level and registration of the candidate with the Engineering and/or Science Council where applicable. If the application is not approved, the Institute will provide advice on how the applicant can reach the required level. European Directive Route for Engineering The European Directive 2005/36/EC concerns the recognition of professional qualifications across the European Union (EU). The Nuclear Institute is the UK competent authority for the implementation of this Directive for the profession of nuclear engineering. This route is intended for EU nuclear engineers seeking recognition in order to work in the UK. This route exempts professionally qualified engineers, within the EU, following the NI’s standard qualification process to achieve NI Membership. The resulting NI professional qualification cannot subsequently be used to gain recognition with another engineering body outside the UK, as it will have been granted on the basis of equivalence of the holder’s original qualification. For more information on this route to membership and registration, please see the EU Directive Membership Guidance. CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 3 of 10 2. Individual route This process applies to applicants who do not have exemplifying qualifications but can clearly demonstrate they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding in other ways as those with exemplifying qualifications. For specific requirements for the Engineering and Science Council, please see the relevant section below. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) CPD in the nuclear industry covers a wide and diverse area. Most professional development activities are dictated by employers requirements and training provision. However this is only a part of the input to an individual’s plans; the individual member has to be in charge of his or her development plan, even if this is simply to ensure that the employer’s provision is adequate and appropriate. It should include at least three (exceptionally two) of the following categories. All professional members of the NI are required to record their CPD from January 2015. 1. Work-based learning 2. Professional activity 3. Formal/educational 4. Self directed learning 5. Other activities CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 4 of 10 Engineering Council Benefits of Registering Identifying you as having competences that employers value Indicating that your competence and commitment to professionalism have been assessed by other engineering professionals Demonstrating that your competence may be compared with standards applicable in other parts of the world Confirming that your commitment to professionalism is underwritten by the support of a national engineering institution or society licensed by the Engineering Council International recognition of your qualifications. As a result, registrants often find that: It is easier to gain promotion or a new job They have greater influence within their organisation and industry Their engineering credentials are respected in most parts of the world They have access to a network of similarly qualified and experienced experts in their field - through their Institution Their employers benefit as increasingly, tendering or post-tender contract compliance requires key members of the project team to have professional registration. Institution membership offers additional benefits including: Access to continuous professional development Networking Information - including a magazine, library facility and on-line resources Careers advice and employment opportunities Legal help lines The table below explains the requirements for the registration grades available. For more information, please see the Engineering Council’s requirements, known as the UK SPEC; www.engc.org.uk/ukspec Registration Grade Chartered Engineer (CEng) Academic Requirements Engineering Council Competencies required An Engineering Council accredited Bachelors Use a combination of general and specialist degree with Honours in engineering or engineering knowledge and understanding to technology, plus either an appropriate optimise the application of existing and emerging Masters degree or appropriate further technology. learning to Masters level Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering OR an Engineering Council accredited problems. integrated MEng degree Provide technical and commercial leadership. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and OR equivalent experiential learning as communication. assessed by the Nuclear Institute. Demonstrate a personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment and to CPD CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Professional Membership and Registration Guidance Incorporated Engineer (IEng) An Engineering Council accredited Bachelors degree in engineering or technology OR a Higher National Certificate or Diploma or Foundation degree in engineering or technology, plus appropriate further learning to degree level OR equivalent experiential learning as assessed by the Nuclear Institute. Engineering A National Certificate or National Diploma in Technician (EngTech) engineering or construction & the built environment OR an approved qualification in engineering or construction at Level 6 in the Scottish Qualification and Credit Framework OR the City and Guilds Higher Professional Diploma in Engineering OR a Technical Certificate as part of an approved Advanced Modern Apprenticeship Programme OR an approved Level 3 NVQ or SVQ OR equivalent experiential learning as assessed by the Nuclear Institute. MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 5 of 10 Use a combination of general and specialist engineering knowledge and understanding to apply existing and emerging technology. Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to design, develop, manufacture, construct, commission, operate, maintain, decommission and re-cycle engineering processes, systems, services and products. Provide technical and commercial management Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills Demonstrate a personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment and CPD. Use engineering knowledge and understanding to apply technical and practical skills. Identify problems and apply diagnostic methods to identify causes and achieve satisfactory solutions Accept and exercise personal responsibility Use effective communication and interpersonal skills. Make a personal commitment to an appropriate code of professional conduct, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment and CPD. Applicants who do not have the above exemplifying qualifications may demonstrate the required knowledge and understanding in other ways, but must clearly demonstrate they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding as those with exemplifying qualifications. Ways to demonstrate this include: Taking qualifications, in whole or in part, to match the exemplifying level qualification standards. Accredited prior learning, appropriate portfolios and assessed/peer reviewed engineering and technical reports Completing and recording appropriate work-based experiential learning* or further learning to develop experience in roles that expand nuclear related technical knowledge. Writing a technical report** based on their experience and demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of engineering principles within a nuclear environment. CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 6 of 10 *Work-based experiential learning Work-based experiential learning means the knowledge and understanding that has been developed through experience. Learning occurs over time as new knowledge and understanding updates and builds on a previous level of understanding. Learning does not occur by simply listing experiences, but by researching, identifying new knowledge and then by reflecting on experience and drawing from the knowledge of others to increase understanding. In an educational context, this might involve formalised research activities. The term work-based learning does not imply that learning occurs only at work, but that the knowledge and understanding that have developed are applied and challenged through work practice within the nuclear industry. Examples of appropriate work-based experiential learning may include: Applicants who are practising to the same standard in the nuclear industry appropriate to the category of registration being applied for, but do not hold formal qualifications at the required level. Applicants who have had the opportunity through practice to develop knowledge and understanding, and are able to provide technical evidence from work-based learning experience within the nuclear industry. Applicants who demonstrate sufficient achievement in a technical role within the nuclear industry, appropriate to the category of registration being applied for. Evidence of work-based experiential learning The Nuclear Institute does not mandate how evidence of work-based experiential learning should be provided but suggests that the following methods/format might be suitable: An extended curriculum vitae; plus An existing technical report written in the course of work, based on, for example, an investigation, design study or a feasibility report, which might include individual research and study into engineering and/or technology techniques; or A portfolio relating to one or two projects, together with a linking commentary, e.g. a collection of data or records, which would need to be tied together by an aim, an outcome and a rationale; or A copy of a technical presentation that has been given, which best gives examples of technical learning. Assessment of individual route using work-based experiential learning Assessment will be made by the Nuclear Institute Membership Committee based on the evidence provided by the applicant, which should be sufficient to demonstrate how work-based experiential learning has enabled them to reach the same level of knowledge and understanding as those possessing the exemplifying qualifications required. If the applicant has demonstrated in their application that they have developed and exercise the required knowledge and understanding, the application process may proceed directly to PRI, where the interviewers may probe specific competences in more detail. If the applicant has made a reasonable case, but there remain questions about certain aspects of their technical knowledge and understanding, then the candidate may be invited to attend a Technical Interview (TI). This is carried out prior to and separately from the PRI, but is usually conducted back to back on the same day. Applicants who are asked to attend a TI will need to satisfy the technical interviewers that they have gained the appropriate overall level of knowledge and understanding before proceeding to the PRI. CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 7 of 10 If the applicant has not demonstrated the required level of knowledge and understanding in their application and/or the TI, the applicant will be advised of the best way forward to achieve such competencies to continue with the application at some stage in the future. Lastly, the application with assessment report is sent to the Membership Committee. If the application is approved, this results in membership of the Nuclear Institute at the appropriate level and registration of the candidate with the Engineering Council. If the application is not approved, the Institute will provide advice on how the applicant will reach the required level. **Technical Report The purpose of a Technical Report is to demonstrate that applicants have gained the same level of knowledge and understanding as an applicant having the exemplifying academic qualifications. The Technical Report will need to demonstrate how the applicant’s acquired knowledge fully compensates for the lack of formal academic qualifications. Applicants will first be required to submit a Synopsis of their proposed report which must set out clearly how they intend to demonstrate technical knowledge and understanding. If the Chair of the Membership Committee approves the synopsis, a suitably qualified mentor is appointed to support the report writing process. For more information on this process, please see the Technical Report Guidance. CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 8 of 10 Science Council Benefits of Registering CSci benefits the individual… by giving you wider recognition outside of your specific discipline or sector by demonstrating your commitment to professionalism and continuing high levels of competence and development by reflecting the likely breadth of your career across science CSci benefits the employer… by giving assurance of the competence and professionalism of your employees by providing them with a platform for networking across disciplines and sectors by showing your customers or competitors that your staff are practicing at the highest level CSci benefits the profession… by benchmarking all professional scientists at the same high level no matter which discipline or sector they work in by ensuring that all registrants must be participating in CPD to continue to hold the award by encouraging networking and bringing together multidisciplinary teams of professional scientists CSci benefits the public... by creating a single badge of professionalism that the public can recognise across the science professions and beyond by maintaining and increasing the public’s trust in scientists through professional standards, codes of conduct and mandatory revalidation CSci competence requirements Five overarching competency statements illustrate the professional skills and attributes Chartered Scientists are expected to demonstrate through a combination of their knowledge and experience: Deal with complex scientific issues, both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences Exercise self-direction and originality in solving problems, and exercise substantial personal autonomy in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level Continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and competence to a high level and demonstrate a commitment to CPD Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Health and Safety and environmental issues related to employment Comply with the relevant Codes of Conduct For more information, please see the Science Council’s requirements; http://www.charteredscientist.org/PDFs/CSciCompetencies.pdf CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 9 of 10 To qualify for registration as a Chartered Scientist, applicants must possess a combination of high-level scientific knowledge and experience. This is typically demonstrated by an accredited Masters qualification together with four years of post graduation-level experience sufficient to meet the CSci competencies. Where a candidate does not hold an accredited degree, they may still show equivalence of M-Level learning through: academic qualifications, accredited prior learning, portfolios, and assessed scientific and technical reports (including published peer-reviewed papers). Individual Route – Science Council This process applies to applicants who do not have exemplifying qualifications (an appropriate Masters of Science degree for CSci) but can clearly demonstrate they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding in other ways as those with exemplifying qualifications. The ways to demonstrate this knowledge and understanding include: Taking qualifications, in whole or in part, to match the exemplifying level qualification standards. Accredited prior learning, appropriate portfolios and assessed/peer reviewed scientific and technical reports Completing and recording appropriate work-based experiential learning or further learning to develop experience in roles that expand nuclear related technical knowledge. Writing a technical report, based on experience, and demonstrating knowledge and understanding of scientific principles within a nuclear environment. *Work-based experiential learning Examples of appropriate work-based experiential learning may include: Applicants who are practising to the same standard in the nuclear industry appropriate to the category of registration being applied for, but do not hold formal qualifications at the required level. Applicants who have had the opportunity through practice to develop knowledge and understanding, and are able to provide technical evidence from work-based learning experience within the nuclear industry. Applicants who demonstrate sufficient achievement in a technical role within the nuclear industry, appropriate to the category of registration being applied for. The Nuclear Institute does not mandate how evidence of work-based experiential learning should be provided but suggests that the following methods/format might be suitable: An extended curriculum vitae; plus An existing technical report written in the course of work, based on, for example, an investigation, design study or a feasibility report, which might include individual research and study into scientific techniques; or A portfolio relating to one or two projects, together with a linking commentary, e.g. a collection of data or records, which would need to be tied together by an aim, an outcome and a rationale; and A copy of a technical presentation that has been given, which best gives examples of scientific learning. CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404 Professional Membership and Registration Guidance MG1 Revision: 04 Date: 30 April 2014 Page: 10 of 10 Assessment of individual route using work-based experiential learning Assessment will be made by the Nuclear Institute Membership Committee based on the evidence provided by the applicant, which should be sufficient to demonstrate how work-based experiential learning has enabled them to reach the same level of knowledge and understanding as those possessing the exemplifying qualifications required. If the applicant has demonstrated in their application that they have developed and exercise the required knowledge and understanding, the application process may proceed directly to PRI, where the interviewers may probe specific competences in more detail. If the applicant has made a reasonable case, but there remain questions about certain aspects of their technical knowledge and understanding, then the candidate may be invited to attend a Technical Interview (TI). This is carried out prior to and separately from the PRI, but is usually conducted back to back on the same day. Applicants who are asked to attend a TI will need to satisfy the technical interviewers that they have gained the appropriate overall level of knowledge and understanding before proceeding to the PRI. If the applicant has not demonstrated the required level of knowledge and understanding in their application and/or the TI, the applicant will be advised of the best way forward to achieve such competencies to continue with the application at some stage in the future. Lastly, the application with assessment report is sent to the Membership Committee. If the application is approved, this results in membership of the Nuclear Institute at the appropriate level and registration of the candidate with the Science Council. If the application is not approved, the Institute will provide advice on how the applicant will reach the required level. **Technical Report The purpose of a Technical Report is to demonstrate that applicants have gained the same level of knowledge and understanding as an applicant having the exemplifying academic qualifications. The Technical Report will need to demonstrate how the applicant’s acquired knowledge fully compensates for the lack of formal academic qualifications. Applicants will first be required to submit a Synopsis of their proposed report which must set out clearly how they intend to demonstrate technical knowledge and understanding. If the Chair of the Membership Committee approves the synopsis, a suitably qualified mentor is appointed to support the report writing process. For more information on this process, please see the Technical Report Guidance. CK International House, 1-6 Yarmouth Place, London W1J 7BU T: 0203 475 4701 E: membership@nuclearinst.com Company No 06574762 Charity No 1125404