UK-Spec explains the requirements that people must meet to become registered as a professional.
UK-Spec is recognized globally since its introduction in 2003. The document also explains the steps necessary to achieve professional registration, the requirement to maintain and enhance competence once registered, and the obligations to act with integrity and in the public interest that are placed on registrants through their membership of a licensed professional engineering institution.
What is Engineering competence?
Competence is defined as a professional’s ability to carry out
engineering tasks successfully and safely within their field of
practice. This includes having the individual skills, knowledge and
understanding, personal behaviour and approach, to be able to
work collaboratively with others to achieve the intended outcomes.
Competence includes the ability to make professional judgments
and an awareness of the limits of one’s own ability and knowledge
in order to seek assistance when required.
Five broad areas of competence to be demonstrated as below: -
A – Knowledge and understanding - Engineers shall use
a combination of general and
specialist engineering knowledge and
understanding to optimise the application
of advanced and complex systems
The applicant shall demonstrate that they:
1. Have maintained and extended a sound
theoretical approach to enable them to develop
their particular role
2. Are developing technological solutions to
unusual or challenging problems, using their
knowledge and understanding and/or dealing
with complex technical issues or situations with
significant levels of risk.
B – Design, development and solving engineering problems - Engineers shall apply
appropriate theoretical and practical
methods to the analysis and solution of
engineering problems
The applicant shall demonstrate that they:
1. Take an active role in the identification and
definition of project requirements, problems and
opportunities
2. Can identify the appropriate investigations
and research needed to undertake the design,
development and analysis required to complete
an engineering task and conduct these
activities effectively
3. Can implement engineering tasks and
evaluate the effectiveness of engineering
solutions.
C – Responsibility, management and leadership - Engineers shall demonstrate
technical and commercial leadership
The applicant shall demonstrate that they:
1. Plan the work and resources needed to
enable effective implementation of a significant
engineering task or project
2. Manage (organise, direct and control),
programme or schedule, budget and resource
elements of a significant engineering task or
project
3. Lead teams or technical specialisms and
assist others to meet changing technical and
managerial needs
4. Bring about continuous quality improvement
and promote best practice.
D – Communication and interpersonal skills - Engineers shall demonstrate
effective communication and
interpersonal skills
The applicant shall demonstrate that they:
1. Communicate effectively with others, at all
levels, in English
2. Clearly present and discuss proposals,
justifications and conclusions
3. Demonstrate personal and social skills and
awareness of diversity and inclusion issues.
E – Professional commitment - Engineers shall demonstrate
a personal commitment to professional
standards, recognising obligations
to society, the profession and the
environment
The applicant shall demonstrate that they:
1. Understand and comply with relevant codes
of conduct
2. Understand the safety implications of their
role and manage, apply and improve safe
systems of work
3. Understand the principles of sustainable
development and apply them in their work
4. Carry out and record the Continuing
Professional Development (CPD) necessary to
maintain and enhance competence in their own
area of practice
5. Understand the ethical issues that may arise
in their role and carry out their responsibilities in
an ethical manner.
What is professional commitment?
Registered engineering professionals are required to demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to society, to the environment and to their profession. As part of demonstrating overall competence, it is mandatory to show that they have adopted a set of values and conduct that maintains and enhances the reputation of the profession. This includes: -
- Maintaining public and employee safety
- Undertaking work in a way that protects the environment and contributes to sustainable development
- Complying with codes of conduct, codes of practice and the legal and regulatory framework
- Managing, applying and improving safe systems of work
- Carrying out the CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence in relation to duties and responsibilities
- Exercising responsibilities in an ethical manner
- Recognising inclusivity and diversity
- Adopting a security-minded approach
- Actively participating within the profession
Full version of UK-Spec can be downloaded here: -
As BEM is moving towards outcome-based assessment for PAE, it is good to have understanding on this UK-Spec. Implementation of Outcome-Based assessment is in line with global move with international engineering community.
