Engineering Technician (EngTech)

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CIWEM offers the widest range of charterships and technical membership grades of any professional institute in the water and environment sector, reflecting our engagement with the widest spectrum of environmental issues.

When you become a Technician or Chartered member of CIWEM, you also have the opportunity to apply for the Engineering Council's registration Engineering Technician (EngTech), which can be applied for at the same time. If you are already a Technician or Chartered member of CIWEM, you can submit an application for EngTech in a separate application.

Becoming an Engineering Technician (EngTech)

Engineering Technicians (EngTech) apply proven techniques and procedures to the solution of practical engineering problems.

Why become an Engineering Technician?

The benefits of professional registration as a Engineering Technician include:

  • Become professionally registered as an EngTech – a globally recognised benchmark
  • Improved career prospects and employability
  • Higher earning potential
  • Demonstration of a professional attitude valued by employers and customers
  • International recognition of competence and commitment
  • Evidence of expertise
  • Greater influence within industry and own organisation

Watch the Engineering Councils 'Benefits of professional registration' video here:

Who can join?

EngTech registration is open to anyone who can demonstrate the required professional competences and commitment.

Typically, applicants will have successfully completed an Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship. This can lead directly to Engineering Technician registration.

Or, alongside appropriate working experience, they will hold:

  • a qualification, approved by a licensed professional engineering institution, in engineering or construction set at level 3 (or above) in the Qualifications and Credit Framework/National Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland; or at level 6 (or above) in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework; or at level 3 (or above) in the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales;
  • or equivalent qualifications approved by a licensed professional engineering institution.

To check whether your academic qualification is approved for EngTech please click here.

Individuals without formal qualifications may also apply for EngTech registration by demonstrating they have acquired the necessary competence through substantial working experience.

UK-SPEC provides details of the competence required for EngTech registration, this is available to download here.

Please note applicants holding the exemplifying qualifications are automatically eligible for interim registration.

Engineering Council Standards Update

All applicants for engineering registration with CIWEM for are assessed against the standards as defined by the Engineering Council (EngC) in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). The 4th edition of the UK-SPEC was published on 1 September 2020, for implementation across the sector by 31 December 2021. The 4th edition is available here, with a summary of the key changes. We are in the process of transitioning to the 4th edition and there will be updates to our application/guidance documents and website over the next couple of months. Professional review interviews will not be available against the UK-SPEC 3 standards after 31 December 2021 and all applications from the 06 December deadline will be assessed against UK-SPEC 4.

Professional Competencies

All applicants for EngTech, need to demonstrate the required professional competences and commitment, which can be viewed below:

Engineering Technicians shall use engineering knowledge and understanding to apply technical and practical skills.

The applicant shall demonstrate that they:

A1: Review and select appropriate techniques, procedures and methods to undertake tasks

A2: Use appropriate scientific, technical or engineering principles

Engineering Technicians shall contribute to the design, development, manufacture, construction, commissioning, decommissioning, operation or maintenance of products, equipment, processes, systems or services.

The applicant shall demonstrate that they:

B1: Identify problems and apply appropriate methods to identify causes and achieve satisfactory solutions

B2: Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact

Engineering Technicians shall accept and exercise personal responsibility.

The applicant shall demonstrate that they:

C1: Work reliably and effectively without close supervision, to the appropriate codes of practice

C2: Accept responsibility for the work of themselves or others

C3: Accept, allocate and supervise technical and other tasks

Engineering Technicians shall use effective communication and interpersonal skills.

The applicant shall demonstrate that they:

D1: Communicate effectively with others, at all levels, in English

D2: Work effectively with colleagues, clients, suppliers or the public

D3: Demonstrate personal and social skills and awareness of diversity and inclusion issues

Engineering Technicians shall demonstrate commitment to an appropriate code of professional conduct, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment.

The applicant shall demonstrate that they:

E1: Understand and comply with relevant codes of conduct

E2: Understand the safety implications of their role and apply safe systems of work

E3: Understand the principles of sustainable development and apply them in their work

E4: Carry out and record the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) necessary to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice

E5: Understand the ethical issues that may arise in their role and carry out their responsibilities in an ethical manner

Professional Development

Initial Professional Development (IPD)

Initial Professional Development usually refers to the workplace development that takes place before becoming professionally registered as EngTech, IEng or CEng. It describes the process of learning to apply knowledge and understanding, develop skills and competence and apply professional judgement and sets the path towards Professional Registration. CIWEM supports members on this journey with a suite on tools to support your career profession and record your progress.

Mentor Platform

The CIWEM Mentor Platform provides members the opportunity to be linked with a mentor with the skills and experience you are looking to gain.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is vital to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date. CIWEM offers a wealth of opportunities to access CPD through our training, events and networks. Our CPD recording tool in MyCIWEM enables to keep on top of recording and reflecting on your activities.

Professional Development Plan

Developing both short- and long-term goals can help guide your IPD and CPD planning, and decisions you make throughout your career. A professional development plan can guide you toward reaching those goals by setting out a strategy on how to meet them. You can download the CIWEM Professional Development Plan Template within the 'My CPD' area of MyCIWEM.


Application Requirements

To apply for Engineering Technician (EngTech) you will need to

  • Complete an online application form (if applying for Chartered Member please select EngTech in the 'Mandatory Competencies' tab, Technician applicants should provided their EngTech Mandatory Competence report in a separate document). You can also submit an application for other registrations at the same time. Please note you will need to either be a Technician or Chartered member of CIWEM or submit an application for this at the same time.
  • Submit a copy of your most up-to-date CV
  • Submit copies of relevant certificates signed by your sponsors
  • Have two sponsors, one of which must hold C.WEM and one of which must hold EngTech, who can review your application. You will need to submit a signed letter from each of your sponsors alongside your application confirming they have done this. Additional guidance on sponsor letter requirements can be download here.
  • Complete your 1000 word Career Overview Report
  • Submit your training and CPD record for the last three years
  • Complete your 4000 word Mandatory Competence Attainment Report

Information about becoming a C.WEM can be found here.

Information about becoming a TechCIWEM can be found here.

Apply now

Useful documents

Sponsor letter guidance

Professional Interview guidance

CPD guidance

Engineering Council UK-SPEC

Watch our membership webinars

Need advice?

You may be required to undertake a Profession Review Interview (PRI), our membership team can provide guidance, please contact membership@ciwem.org or call +44(0)207 831 3110 for more information.

We’re with you every step of your application, please get in touch if you have any questions about your application or to find out which grade is right for you and someone will be delighted to help.

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