I read with some interest Dr Hawthorne's letter BSj 04/04); particularly his comments regarding the route to CEng, which is now available to non-qualified people.
According to recent advice from the CIBSE membership department, current Associate Members and Incorporated Engineers who attained this status via a day release route, ie ONC/HNC/CED, cannot use an MSc to upgrade their membership to full member and CEng status. As they lack a BEng degree they will be 'advised to undertake further study' to rectify the 'shortfall' in their qualifications.

When non-qualified people are being welcomed with open arms, and people with Masters of Science degrees are being turned away, it is difficult to understand how the perception of the CIBSE as an 'old boys club' can be anything other than correct.

CIBSE responds

Under previous ECUK regulations the standard advice to those with an ONC or HNC plus a Masters programme was, indeed, to study for an acceptable degree. However, the new ECUK regulations, UK-SPEC, do not necessarily require this. Anyone who has insufficient academic qualifications for CEng or IEng registration (or even no formal qualifications) will still be able to qualify either by undertaking suitable study or by producing a technical report, the nature of which will depend on the shortfall to be covered. This will apply equally to those who have ONC, HNC or other qualifications, in any combination. There has always been a route to ECUK registration (and CIBSE membership) for those who had no suitable qualifications and under UK-SPEC, this has not changed.

Similarly, under CIBSE’s new by-laws, all grades of membership will be open to those with or without qualifications who can meet the established competence criteria. All those with an appropriate professional background and abilities will be welcomed into membership, regardless of their academic achievement.

No one who can demonstrate their competence will be turned away from CIBSE membership nor, with the provision of a technical report, from ECUK registration. Thus we will ensure standards are maintained while providing suitable routes for all competent people.

Source

Building Sustainable Design

Postscript

Christopher Hempsall IEng ACIBSE, Saudi Arabia