Engineering faculties in developing and assessing professional competencies for engineers in Australia

Abstract

The paper argues for Australian engineering faculties to develop a structured mechanism that supports the current drive towards chartered (professional) status and national registration system in Australia. This paper outlines the initial proposition for a postgraduate program at the Master level to achieve chartered status for engineers and engineering managers. A roundtable gathering of representatives from industry, academia, and profession was organized and provided input in the form a SWOT analysis on the concept and rationale behind the proposition, and is presented in this paper. A refined model is then presented in this paper that outline pathways for achieving chartered status (stage 2 competencies) via an Engineering Master program. But also pathways via an Engineering Doctorate program to achieve Engineering Executive (EngExe) status, recognition for achieving stage 3 competencies for senior engineering managers; and potentially the proposed EngExe (Technical), recognition for achieving stage 3 competencies for technical specialist. This paper argues the case for engineering faculties to be active in the development and assessment of engineers and engineering managers as part of the life-long learning approach that is demanded of modern professionals.