SOE News

Professional engineers in demand

4th Aug 2010

The Engineering Council’s recent survey of registered engineers provides sound evidence that those holding the professional engineering qualifications Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Engineering Technician (EngTech) are likely to have held on to their jobs during the recession.

Asked their employment status, only 1.5% of respondents were “unemployed and seeking re-employment” in May this year, which sits well below the national unemployment figure of 7.3% (Office for National Statistics).

Andrew Ramsay, Chief Executive of the Engineering Council says: “It would be amazing if registered engineers had not suffered some effects from the cold economic climate, but the message from this survey, although a big increase on the 0.6% in this category in 2007, seems to be that qualified engineers are still in demand in the UK.”

Based on responses from nearly 3,000 registered engineers resident in the UK and below the official retirement age of 65, the survey is one of a series that have been conducted regularly since 1981. Collection of this data every two to three years allows the Engineering Council and its partners to keep track of earnings and compare trends in the employment of registered engineers. In each case the research has been carried out on behalf of the Engineering Council by ERS Research, part of the Electoral Reform Services Group.

The survey also revealed that all levels of registrant have seen a rise in total earnings since 2007; up 10% for CEngs, 6% for IEngs and 12% for EngTechs. Median annual total earnings in 2010 were £55k for CEngs, £43k for IEngs and £37k for EngTechs.

For CEngs the increase in mean total earnings is somewhat higher, at 15%, accounted for by a considerable increase in the number earning more than £60k, including 11% now earning over £100k. Those employed in the energy and telecommunications sectors seem to enjoy the highest salaries, with mean annual earnings approaching £80k.

There is a slow but sure increase in the proportion of registered engineers who have their subscriptions and registration fees paid by their employer, with figures rising from 47% in 2003 to 57% in 2010.

Andrew Ramsay adds “The 2010 survey has produced another set of interesting and, on the whole, positive statistics. We have also this year for the first time commissioned a survey of non-registered engineers and look forward to reporting on those results shortly.”

One of the most valued benefits of SOE membership is that members can gain registration with the Engineering Council. Considered an additional opportunity to gain professional recognition in industry, registration can advance careers by helping prove skills, experience and expertise at work. Registration also benefits members employed outside the UK as it is recognised internationally.

SOE members who become registered can use the appropriate post-nominal letters (EngTech, IEng or CEng) alongside SOE post-nominals on CVs, business cards and job applications.

The Survey of Registered Engineers 2010 can be found on the Engineering Council website.

For more information on professional registration with the Engineering Council, please visit the SOE website page.