ECA and IIE sign deal to promote status of trades

The ECA and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) have signed a ground-breaking Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to work together to promote professionalism and raise the status of craftspeople and the electrical contracting industry.

The memorandum is the first of its kind to be signed by the IIE and a trade organisation. It underlines the importance of the ECA within the electrical engineering industry. It will be backed up by joint initiatives to provide craftspeople, technicians and engineers with wider opportunities for professional recognition and registration, as well as further encouraging greater professional development by addressing education, training and skills issues.

The first initiative under the agreement is the IIE’s launch of the Register of Engineering Craftsmen. This new venture will acknowledge the tradesperson’s knowledge, understanding and competence within the discipline and set those registered apart from other operatives. It is also designed to raise the status of the sector, which has historically been undervalued in the UK.

David Pollock, ECA director, said: “We are delighted with this new collaboration, which will benefit both our organisations. In particular, we are pleased that ECA member companies will now have the opportunity to promote professional development of their employees through recognition by the IIE.

“Having a professionally recognised workforce will assist companies to secure new contracts and operate more effectively. The ECA will support its members in encouraging their employees to take advantage of professional recognition.”

Peter Wason, IIE chief executive, said: “The signing of the memorandum will allow us to develop and implement initiatives that will forward the objectives of both parties to enhance the professional capabilities of those working in the electrical sector.”

Those engineers who choose to register will be entitled to use the post-nominal ‘Engineering Craftsman MIIE’. Registration is open to everyone who can demonstrate their competence to perform professional work to the necessary standards and show a commitment to maintaining that competence, working within professional codes and participating actively within the profession.

Further details on registering as an engineering craftsman are available from Janet Firmin, IIE training and professional development manager, tel: 020 7395 0268 or e-mail: training@iie.org.uk.