The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) have launched a reciprocal partnership to increase recognition of professionalism in the electrotechnical and construction industries.

The partnership will provide a fast-track career pathway for ECS cardholders into membership of the IET. It is also intended to offer a professional membership route to ECS cards in the second phase of the programme, later in the year.

There are 37 000 ECS Installation Electrician cardholders who will be eligible to become Technician Members of the IET (TMIET) via this fast-track process. A further 3500 electrotechnical managerial cardholders will be eligible to become Members of the IET (MIET). The IET’s marketing director Richard Cherry anticipates an initial uptake of some 4-5000 new members.

Membership of the IET will provide opportunities to work towards achieving a globally recognised qualification such as Chartered Engineer or Incorporated Engineer.

The ECS scheme is jointly administered by the Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry (JIB) and the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB). Speaking at the launch at the IET’s offices in London, Sir Michael Latham, chair of the JIB, explained the initiative: “The JIB is keen to develop a career structure for ECS cardholders and the IET is committed to widening the industry registration cards to non-site based professionals, so this partnership is a natural development for both organisations to fulfil these needs and raise industry professionalism.

“ECS cards are becoming the ‘licence to work’ for many electricians and related electrotechnical trades," said Latham. "Members will have the ability through registration to raise their professionalism and preserve their skills and competency in one card.”

The ECS card will carry the logo of the IET, as well as incorporating holograms of CSCS and ECS. Development of the partnership has been based on the requirements for IET membership, at any level, being met by people who qualify through the vocational route.

Criterion for IET membership with the designatory letters MIET or TMIET are based on the knowledge and competence being acquired and therefore someone with NVQ level 4 (Platinum ECS card) can be admitted into MIET and someone with NVQ level 3 (Gold ECS card) into TMIET.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor