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SOE's specialist sector for road transport engineers

Our Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) professional sector supports HGV and PSV professionals throughout their careers, and encourages high standards in maintenance of sectors crucial to employment and public safety.

Members who pick IRTE as their professional sector will benefit from monthly copies of Transport Engineer, the leading source of technical excellence for vehicle engineers. The IRTE Professional Sector Council  (PSC), who are all elected by members, work tirelessly to represent the voice of members, improve engineering standards and ensure that we issue relevant guidance on new legislation and best practice. 

The IRTE PSC is currently working on the following initiatives:

  • Trialling, with DAF, fast track irtec licensing to help bridge the skills gap
  • Pioneering the IRTE Skills Challenge to highlight the great work in the PSV industry
  • New technical guidance for waste management vehicles

IRTE is also the pioneering force behind the irtec and IRTE Workshop Accreditation schemes. These schemes are recognised as the minimum  industry standards for both technicians and the workplace in which they operate.  

What makes a modern road transport engineer?

Road transport engineers are skilled problem solvers, methodical in their approach to safety and inspection of vehicles, and have wide ranging technical and regulatory knowledge which sets them apart as true experts. Our members in IRTE range from first job apprentices right up to depot managers, chief engineers, and general managers of haulage firms or bus franchises. A road transport engineering career has no limits - but all IRTE affiliated SOE members have common goals of best practice and safety, whether they are working with technology or individuals. 

You can find transport engineers maintaining and managing:
  • Buses and coaches
  • Heavy goods vehicles
  • Heavy mobile plant & materials handling equipment (MHE)
  • Large specialist vehicles
  • Light commercial vehicles
  • Trailers

The HGV & PSV industries have, in recent years, taken great leaps ahead in terms of technology, safety and environmental outputs. Vehicles and vehicle workshops are clean, modern workspaces where you are as likely to fault find and repair with a state of the art electronic diagnostic system, as the more traditional (but just as important) manual tools. It is this versatility which makes road transport engineers true experts. 

Ready to take the next step?

Join SOE today

Find out the benefits of membership

 

Alexander Dennis Takes the Wheel as Premium Sponsor for 2024 IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge

Alexander Dennis, the world’s largest manufacturer of double-deck and lightweight buses, and the leading manufacturer of buses and coaches in the United Kingdom, has returned as a premium sponsor for the 2024 edition of the IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge.

Freeway joins the 12th IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge as a technology partner

The IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge is a platform that showcases the finest talents and expertise in the bus and coach industry, promoting safety, efficiency, and excellence.

Unlocking Excellence: Former Skills Challenge Winner Craig Perkins breaks down the significance and success of engineering apprenticeships

Craig Perkins boasts over 16 years of experience in the engineering industry. His career, which commenced as an Engineering Apprentice at National Express, has provided him with valuable first-hand insights into the industry from both apprentice and managerial perspectives.

View all resources

Latest IRTE events
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A History of Econ
The IRTE North Eastern Centre’s next event will be a be a look at the 50-year history of Econ Engineering and their present range of commercial vehicle highway maintenance products.
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How Engineering Professionals Should Prepare for a Promotion to Advance in Their Careers (LIVE)
Pushing for a promotion is a tricky scenario for even the most seasoned of professionals and requesting a pay rise to get the salary you want without over-negotiating is a fine line.
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A presentation from Alexander Dennis
The IRTE Northern Centre's next event is a CPD presentation covering the present range of public service vehicles available from Alexander Dennis and also their future developments using alternative fuels.

Find and book events


irtec Licensing Scheme 

Recognising the need for those working in the industry to prove their competence, IRTE pioneered the irtec Licensing Scheme for technicians and mechanics. An irtec licence certifies the skills and safety of technicians and mechanics working in road transport. IRTE also audits passenger carrying and commercial vehicle workshops under IRTE Workshop Accreditation, providing maintenance providers with the tools to prove their high standards of work while also providing operators with the ability to choose their workshops with confidence.

SOE Accreditations

 

Transport Engineer Magazine

IRTE publishes monthly magazine Transport Engineer, renowned for its incisive features, news analysis and comment as well as a wide range of best practice guides. Visit the official Transport Engineer website for industry news, a supplier directory, the latest jobs, videos, white papers, product news, legislation updates, recall data and more.