Memorandum 175
Submission from the Engineering Council
UK
1. The Engineering Council UK has contacts
with many engineers' organisations around the world, both informally
and through membership of the European association, FEANI (the
European Federation of National Engineering Associations-www.feani.org)
and worldwide through the International Engineering Alliance-www.ieagreements.org).
ECUK used these contacts to canvas equivalent regulatory authorities
around the world in order to provide an up to date response to
this question. This paper is therefore directly based on their
responses.
2. In the USA the Government largely interacts
with engineering on policy matters and seeks advice through the
National Academy of Engineering (equivalent to The Royal Academy
of Engineering) and the National Research Council. On occasion,
on a topical matter, they will interact with one of the engineering
societies, of which there are several dozen. The Office of Science
and Technology Policy (an office of the President) advises the
President on science policy and seeks input from the science and
engineering community from time to time. Government agencies have
advisory boards, and ad hoc advisory panels to varying
degrees.
3. However, on professional engineering
and professional registration matters, the individual States work
closely with the State Boards (statutory regulators) and the National
Council for Examination of Engineering and Surveying.
4. The European Federation of National Engineering
Associations (FEANI), of which ECUK is a leading member, has close
links with the European Commission, in particular the Internal
Market DG and the Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
DG. Typically, the Energy and Transport DG recently asked FEANI
to collaborate by providing advice in an initiative reviewing
shortages of nuclear engineers across Europe. FEANI is increasing
its links with the European Parliament and as a result was the
only professional association asked to present evidence at the
European Parliament hearing on the European Institute of Technology.
5. Within Europe, the engineering profession
in Germany has the loosest formal relationships with Government.
These are mainly conducted through the joint technical and scientific
organisation, the DVT (Deutscher Verband technisch-wissenschaftlicher
Vereine). The DVT and the society of German engineers, VDI (Vereine
Deutscher Ingeniuere) have good relations with governmental authorities,
who regularly consult them on general engineering matters. Examples
include the introduction of energy performance certification for
buildings, and the Ingenieurgesetze der Lander (Engineering laws
in the regional departments of Germany), which were drafted with
the input of the VDI and DVT. At the official hearing of the Ministry
concerned with the recent draft Energy Savings Order, VDI experts
were able to demonstrate how the Bill could be improved. VDI is
one of the largest organisations of its type, and includes many
specialist divisions
6. In Italy and Greece, there are formal
organisations that both regulate engineers and advise Government.
In Italy, the Consiglio Nazionale degli Ingenieri (CNI-National
Council of Engineers) is an association set up by public law for
the purpose of overseeing the organisation of the engineering
sector at a national level. It operates under the jurisdiction
of the Ministry of Justice. CNI acts as a consultant to both Parliament
and the Government on the practice of the profession and on general
engineering issues.
7. The Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE)
is the official advisor to the State on all technical matters
(part 2 article 4 Law 1486/1984). All qualified engineers are
members.
8. TEE contributes to Government permanent
and special scientific committees and supervises six thematic
offices that study scientific, technological and development issues
that concern society. TEE also provides specifications and technical
directives that facilitate the work of engineers and contribute
to the quality improvement of services and products offered to
society.
9. In Ireland, Government has an Office
of Public Works, retaining considerable engineering expertise
to advise them on infrastructure and utilities. The Government
works closely with Engineers Ireland, the Irish equivalent of
the Engineering Council and the professional engineering societies
combined, co-funding their work to promote engineering, and their
project to encourage greater take-up of continuing professional
development (CPD) of engineers.
10. In the Far East the engineering profession
is embedded in the legislative process. Hong Kong provides a place
as of right for the engineering profession in their Legislative
Council.
11. In Taiwan the Government has several
high level offices and committees who provide engineering advice.
The Office of the President has a Technology Advisory Committee
as well as the Economic Development Advisory Committee. Members
of these committees are senior academics or senior industry leaders.
The following five offices govern national policy issues within
the Executive Yuan (the Cabinet), under the premier:
- Public Construction Commission (the licensing
body for professional engineers);
- Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences
of the National Science Council;
- Advisory Office of the Ministry of Education;
and
- National Energy Conference/Bureau of Energy,
Ministry of Economic Affairs Council for Economic Planning and
Development.
12. In both Hong Kong and Taiwan, professional
engineering societies play key roles in shaping Government policies.
Members of these societies are often invited by Government to
offer professional advice on national projects, or in other related
capacities.
13. In Japan, Government ministries that
are responsible for matters related to science and technology
retain engineering officials in their administrations. However,
those who engage in policy making, planning legislation, project
planning and management tasks related to science and technology
are administrative officers with law and economics backgrounds.
In most cases, engineering officials play a subsidiary role in
these matters.
14. Besides their engineering officials,
each government ministry has an associated research institute.
In recent times most of them have become independent administrative
corporations. These agencies (institutes) provide the controlling
ministry with necessary supporting information for administrative
activities. Administrative bodies that are in charge of public
works employ many engineers in house.
15. In general, government decision making
follows Basic Plans. However, for non-routine decision-making,
advisory panels or commissions draw on academia and other experts
to provide opinions and suggestions.
CONCLUSIONS
16. The responses received indicate a range
of ways in which engineers inform overseas governments' policies
and operation but the common feature is that there is a greater
interaction, particularly in a structured way, than is the case
in the UK.
17. The overseas organisations who replied
have a variety of structures and remits so are not exactly parallel
to the UK case. However, it does appear that national Governments'
willingness to seek advice from the leading professional bodies
has made them more cohesive and better able to respond quickly
to policy development needs. It is possible to perceive a system
in which the Royal Academy and the discipline-specific expertise
of the UK professional engineering institutions would be used
to inform engineering policy. ECUK's knowledge of the requirements
for professional competence and academic qualifications (including
their international benchmarks) could be used to inform government
on engineers, particularly their education and training, recognition
of competence and supply and demand.
Further Information
18. Further information can be provided
through ECUK CEO Andrew Ramsay, Head of International Recognition
Dr Jim Birch, or Chairman of the ECUK International Advisory Committee,
David Long.
September 2008
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