Electrical and electronic engineering

In general, electrical engineers deal with power generation and power supply, while electronic engineering is about the way electricity is used to control equipment. However, the very close association of the Institute of Electrical Engineers with the British Computer Society suggests that the line between electrical and electronic engineering is thin and hazy.

Modern manufacturing techniques tend to make replacement of a faulty component more cost-effective for the consumer than mending it in situ. Much of the traditional role of the maintenance engineer has therefore changed, particularly in the electronics field, with removal and re-installation of faulty chips and boards the norm.

Electrical and electronic engineering includes such area as informatics, control, electronics and communications, power management, manufacturing and science, and engineering and technology. Its associated industries span aerospace, construction, media and communications, medical technologies, railways and road transport.

More specific information on some aspects of electronic engineering can be found in the articles on computing and IT, and telecommunications on the website at www.questonline.co.uk.

Members of the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) employ more than 30,000 people and support 9,000 apprentices. ECA members’ aggregate turnover is more than £4 billion.

• The aggregate turnover of electrical contracting firms is over £10 billion, of which about 80% is electrical contracting work.
• There are over 50,000 electrical contractors, of which there are over 14,000 employers employing over 150,000 people.
• 100 firms employ 60 or more people and cover around 30% of the industry.
• 300 firms employ between 25 and 59 people, and cover around 10% of the industry.
• 5,000 firms employ between 4 and 24 people, and cover around 30% of the industry.
• 50,000 firms employ three people or fewer and cover around 30% of the industry.

Electrical and electronic engineering in the Services

All three Services have electronic engineering specialists, working on sophisticated and complex instruments, vehicles, engines (including nuclear reactors) and other equipment. Qualifications range from master’s degrees, through Modern Apprenticeships, National Certificates and Diplomas to NVQ Level 2, with institute membership at the appropriate grade being available to most professional engineers.

Electrical engineering is somewhat different. In general, Service electricians work on equipment that moves rather than static installations, although the Royal Engineers’ electricians work across the whole spectrum of power supply from generation to distribution in difficult and dangerous environments. The Royal Navy has an installed capacity of five megawatts on its smaller ships and 14 megawatts in the bigger classes of vessel so Naval engineers are very familiar with electrical generation and distribution within ships.

Qualifications

It is necessary to have qualifications to work in any branch of engineering. The academic ones include degrees, diplomas and certificates, while vocational qualifications include Vocational A-levels, General National Vocational Qualifications, Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).

Engineering Council UK

The Engineering Council UK is the profession’s lead body and registers all engineers who have met standards of education, training and professional competence at one of 35 engineering institutions. The Register has three sections:

• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
• Engineering Technician (EngTech).

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)(150,000 members in 127 countries)

The IET came into being in March 2006 through an amalgamation of the IEE and IIE, to form the second-largest professional engineering body in the world. It has active networks in 37 countries, while it accredits 160 UK undergraduate courses, awards medals and prizes, gives £433,000 in scholarships, organizes 120 conferences and publishes 100 new titles every year.

Student Members are those undergoing an approved programme of study who intend to satisfy the requirements for the category of Member. The learning programme may be an apprenticeship and/or undergraduate/postgraduate degree.

Associates are people engaged in science, engineering or technology, or who value involvement with the IET but do not wish to apply for or meet the requirements of the category of Member

Memberswith designatory letters are those who have achieved a standard of knowledge and understanding, and are engaged in an activity relevant to the interests of the IET.Professional technicians can use the designatory letters TMIET, while professional engineers can use the designatory letters MIET. To be awarded TMIET you must have achieved an acceptable standard of knowledge and understanding through education and/or experience, be professionally engaged in one of the science, engineering or technology fields within the scope of the IET, and have agreed to abide by the rules of the IET. To become MIET you must have achieved all the above and, in addition, provide a supporter who can confirm that you are a suitable candidate to become an IET member.

Fellowship recognises significant individual responsibility, sustained achievement and professionalism in areas relevant to the interests of the Institution. It is the most senior category of membership and is awarded to members who have demonstrated significant individual responsibility, sustained achievement and exceptional professionalism during their careers. Applicants must clearly demonstrate successful leadership or outstanding service to the profession over an extended period, normally not less than five years.

Honorary Fellows are those who are distinguished by their work in any engineering discipline falling within the objects and purposes of the IET, or who are distinguished individuals whom the institute desires to honour for services rendered or whose association is of benefit to the institute.

Other qualifications

The Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA) is the Sector Skills Council for this area. It has developed a series of engineering National Occupational Standards at Levels 1 to 5, which are extremely comprehensive and detailed. Relevant NVQs are as follows.

·Level 2:

– Technical Services

– Performing Engineering Operations

– Instrument Servicing

– Aeronautical Engineering

– Engineering Maintenance and Installation

– Electrical and Electronics Servicing

– Marine Engineering

– Railway Engineering

– Performing Manufacturing Operations.

·Level 3:

– Aircraft Engineering Maintenance

– Instrument Servicing

– Aeronautical Engineering

– Automotive Engineering

– Engineering Maintenance

– Engineering Leadership

– Engineering Management

– Electrical and Electronics Servicing

– Installation and Commissioning

– Marine Engineering

– Engineering Technical Support

– Railway Engineering.

·Levels 4 and 5:

– Engineering Management.

The Electrical Contracting Industry’s Joint Industry Board regulates relations between employers and employees. including productivity, skills levels and wages. It also runs the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS), under which people are issued with cards that show their overall level of competence, specialisations and qualifications. Grades at which cards are issued are:

• Technician
• Approved Electrician
• Electrician
• Electrical Improver
• Labourer
• Cable Install Supervisor
• Cable Foreman
• Leading Cable Hand
• Approved Jointer
• Jointer
• Labourer (Cabling)
• Highway Lighting.

For electrical engineering, the basic requirement is now the 17th Edition of the Requirements for Electrical Installations, coming into effect on 1 July 2008. BS 7671 is the current national standard for most electrical installations undertaken within the UK. Installations designed before 1 July 2008 may continue to be installed and certified in accordance with the 16th Edition. All new designs commenced after 1 July 2008 will need to be carried out in accordance with the new standard. This shows that the individual knows the necessary regulations and how to use them, and it is virtually impossible to start in the industry without it. The course and exam can be taken in a one-week course and lead to the award of the Level 3 City & Guilds 2381 qualification (good electrical knowledge is required).

The next step is the Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations Level 3 City & Guilds 2391 qualification, followed by an Applicable Building Regulations for Domestic Electrical Installation course for qualified students to be able to work as a professional electrician. Service leavers can also attend the Level 3 Inspection and Testing (PAT) of Electrical Equipment City & Guilds 2377-01 and 2377-02.

Employment

The most highly qualified people (degrees and above) generally plan and manage electrical and electronic engineering projects, with the next level of expertise supervising their implementation, and the least skilled people actually doing the work. Experience leads to bigger and better jobs, while academic and vocational qualifications make it possible for the individual to develop and move up the career ladder.

In the electrical engineering industry, projects are contracted and then sub-contracted to many different entities. Most people start as an electrician’s mate or work for a contractor for a minimum of two years to gain experience. Once they have worked for a while on a number of projects, and obtained a good reputation and the necessary qualifications, they can set up on their own. All contractors must inspect and test their own work. They may also inspect and test other electrical work for landlords, insurance companies and major builders.

Salaries

Adult trainees over 21 will probably start on about £17,000, with improvers on around £19,000 and approved electricians on about £24,000. They will also receive shift pay and overtime. EngTechs might expect to earn around £28,000, while IEngs could start on £20,000, rising to £35,000 as they gain experience, and up to £50,000 for senior people. CEngs are the most qualified people, starting at about £25,000, and with an upper limit that depends entirely on the type of work done, the contract terms, the seniority of the individual, and the company. The industry average is £50,000.

Contact details

Engineering Council UK, 246 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EX Tel: 020 3206 0500 Website: www.engc.org.uk

Institution of Engineering and Technology, Michael Faraday House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2AY Tel: 01438 3113311 Website: www.theiet.org

Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance, 14 Upton Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0JT Tel: 0845 643 9001 Website: www.semta.org.uk

Joint Industry Board, Kingswood House, 47/51 Sidcup Hill, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6HP Tel: 020 8302 0031 Website: www.jib.org.uk