IGEM Professional Review Interview Workshop Wednesday 23 rd May 2012 Gordon Davies and Andy McPhee

Council & Supporting Committees Council Audit Committee Membership Committee (MC) Academic Panel (AP) Professional Development Committee (PDC) Finance Committee Marketing Committee Technical Co-Ordination Committee Strategy Planning Committee Various Panels

Purpose of the Workshop Ensure that all Professional Review Interviewers and Assessors are trained to assess applicants and undertake interviews for CEng, IEng and EngTech in compliance with the requirements of the Engineering Council.

Desired Outcomes Understanding: IGEM’s application and professional registration processes IGEM’s professional review process The requirements for assessing applications What is expected from a Professional Review Report and Interview and Feedback / suggestions to improve the IGEM process

TimeAgendaLed By Welcome, Introduction & Programme OutlineGordon Davies UKSPEC Requirements & IGEM Membership Process Andy McPhee Professional Review InterviewGordon Davies Assessment of a Typical Professional Review Report (Exercise) Gordon Davies LUNCH Report Back on Professional Review Report ExerciseGordon Davies Q & A Session (Open Forum) Gordon Davies Andy McPhee Summing up, Feedback to IGEM & Further IGEM AssistanceGordon Davies Approx FINISH

Programme UKSPEC and MPPM summary Summary of the requirements for the main categories of Membership The Professional Review Requirements of Candidates Interview Panel Interview preparation Conducting the Interview Completion of paperwork Making a judgement

UKSPEC describes the requirements that have to be met in order to gain professional registration as an Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer and gives examples of the ways in which these requirements can be achieved and demonstrated

Based on competence & commitment criteria Specifies academic qualification for CEng, IEng and EngTech Requires all Professional Review Interviewers to undergo formal training UKSPEC

Demonstrable Competence Education and Training Knowledge and understanding Evidence = Assessment

Engineering Technician – Exemplifying Qualifications An Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship or other work based learning programme approved by a licensed professional engineering institution; An EdExcel Level 3 BTEC Certificate or Diploma in Engineering or in Construction and the Built Environment; A qualification, approved by a licensed professional engineering institution, in engineering or construction set at level 3 (or above) in the Qualifications and Credit Framework or at level 6 (or above) in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework; An equivalent qualification approved by a licensed professional engineering institution.

Engineering Technician Individual Route Involves an in-depth appraisal of the knowledge and experience acquired by experienced practising technicians. Administered by the Institution

An accredited Bachelors degree with honours in engineering or technology plus either an Institution approved Masters degree or appropriate further learning to Masters level or an accredited MEng Qualification accredited by the Engineering Council at the time it was taken. Chartered Engineer – Exemplifying Qualifications

An accredited Bachelors or honours degree in engineering or technology An HNC or HND or Foundation degree, plus appropriate further learning to degree level An NVQ4 or SVQ4 which has been approved for the purpose by a licensed engineering institution Qualification accredited by the Engineering Council at the time it was taken. Incorporated Engineer – Exemplifying Qualifications

CEng/IEng Alternatives to Exemplifying Qualifications Applicants who do not have the exemplifying qualifications to demonstrate the required knowledge and understanding may do so in other ways, but must clearly demonstrate they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding as those with the qualification These ways include:

Taking further qualifications, in whole or in part, as specified by the institution to which they are applying Completing appropriate work-based or experiential learning Writing a technical report, based on their experience, and demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of engineering principles CEng/IEng Alternatives to Exemplifying Qualifications (cont)

Member Manager Meet the Competence and Commitment criteria Hold a senior management position in the Gas Industry for a minimum of 4 years; Or Have a suitable academic, vocational or professional qualification (i.e NVQ Level III or above) and have held an appropriate senior management position for 2 years Meet the Competence and Commitment criteria Option to Interview

IGEM MEMBERSHIP POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL Demonstrates in documented form how the policies and practices of membership issues are implemented within the Institution

Receive initial membership enquiry UKSPEC exemplifying qualifications?EngC registered member Sufficient relevant experience? Yes Professional Review Process Yes Technical report or other option? No

Candidate prepares Professional Review Report Report passed to Scrutineers – Proceed to Interview? NoYes Professional Review Interview – Successful outcome? Yes Professional Registration Candidate feedback/options No

= Demonstrable Competence Education and Training Knowledge and understanding Evidence Assessment Professional Development Qualifications or Awards TR PRI Professional Registration PRR

The Professional Review

Purpose of the Professional Review The purpose of the Professional Review is to enable the interviewers to evaluate the competence and commitment of the candidate. Based on evidence of professional competence and commitment to practice as a professional in the gas industry.

Role of Scrutineer To ensure applicants meet the required standard for Membership in the appropriate category and to proceed to Interview when applicable. Role of Interviewer To determine whether a candidate meets the requirements for Membership.

The Professional Review Final test of ‘competence and commitment’ Based on ‘documented history’ and interview Candidate produces evidence that criteria is satisfied Criteria comes from ‘UKSPEC Threshold Standards of Competence and Commitment’ as applied to Gas Engineering Evidence from: Prior education and learning Professional work undertaken Other relevant work

Competence & Commitment IGEM Competence & Commitment Competence AKnowledge and Understanding BApplication to practice CLeadership, Managements and Supervision DInter-Personal Skills CommitmentEProfessional Conduct

Competence & Commitment Criteria Extracts for CEng A1Maintain and extend a sound theoretical approach in enabling the introduction and exploitation of new and advancing technology and other relevant developments A2Engage in the creative and innovative development of engineering technology and continuous improvement systems B2Conduct appropriate research and undertake design and development of engineering solutions C4Bring about continuous improvement through quality management

Competence & Commitment Criteria Extracts for IEng A1Maintain and extend a sound theoretical approach to the application of technology in engineering practice A2Use a sound evidence-based approach to problem solving and contribute to continuous improvement B2Contribute to the design and development of engineering solutions C4Manage continuous quality improvement

Competence & Commitment Criteria Extracts for EngTech A1Identify limits of personal knowledge and skills, broaden and deepen knowledge through experimentation and information resources, including IGEM publications, meetings, conference and seminars A2Apply engineering principles and best practice B2Use resources effectively to complete tasks with due regard to cost, quality, safety and environmental considerations C3Supervise technological tasks

Requirements of Candidates

Assessment ‘ Assessment is the process of determining the Candidate’s suitability for registration with the Engineering Council. It is based on evidence of competence and commitment. Competence and commitment are inter-related and an optimum assessment system would consider them together’.

Candidate Planning and Preparation Evidence should be prepared by reference to relevant Competence and Commitment criteria. Candidates can assess themselves!

Candidates Submission Should demonstrate compliance with the Competence and Commitment criteria

IGEM’s Method Candidates report – Cross referenced to Competence and Commitment criteria.

The Interview Panel

Interview Panel One panel member should preferably be in the same Membership category as that for which the Candidate is applying. One panel member should preferably be knowledgeable in the area of expertise of the candidate.

Interview Preparation

Interviewers should: Review the principal evidence sources: o Reports / Accredited E & T / Application Documents o Candidate’s Evidence Cross-References Compare those sources against: o Standards–the A–E Roles and Responsibilities o Routes–through the Educational Base, IPD and into CPD Based on this work, prepare a strategy for Interview

Summary of Assessment & Planning for the Interview What are the criteria for Membership and Registration? What is the evidence that the candidate meets the criteria? What can the Membership administration do? How can the Interviewers prepare?

Conducting the Interview

The Interview The Panel should comprise of two trained interviewers, one of whom must be experienced An Engineering Council observer is entitled to attend An IGEM auditor can be appointed The duration of the interview is approximately 1 hour

Getting the Interview Started The Interviewers have done their ‘homework’ The room is prepared, without distractions The Interviewers have agreed their strategy Areas of focus for probing ‘Job Share’ agreed – who does what and when Cues agreed for change over of roles THEN Normal Introduction and small talk to ensure Candidate is settled down Check identification Invite the Candidate to introduce ‘evidence spine’

Questioning and Probing Aim is to let the candidate do the talking (the more you talk; the less evidence you get!) Use simple, single, direct, open questions (begin with what?, where?, when?, Why?, How?) Seek out ‘opportunities’; probe use made of them Follow the agreed approach in some logical sequence Interviewer ‘pairs’ share questioning Give yourself thinking time (if needed) by responses such as ‘what makes you say that?’ Cover the range – sample some areas in depth – look for ‘cross links’ – underlying principles – business relevance Clarify any response when the word ‘ we ’ is used as to ‘ I ’

Collecting the Evidence Make a plan and stick to it Use the IGEM interview report form o Make notes o Watch your spaces fill / stay empty (cover range?) o If areas are staying blank, prompt and probe (What opportunity have you had to ……….?) o Check any ‘hard’ evidence brought and note this on the report form Even if the ‘office’ has confirmed qualifications, seek evidence that they are applied at the right level Ensure that your evidence is at the right level (e.g for CEng and not IEng, irrespective of educational base)

Concluding the Interview Note writer ensure questioner can see report form When evidence sufficient; o Give clue to ending with statement such as; ‘Before we finish, I will see if my colleague has any further questions’ o Give candidate the opportunity to ask questions; ‘Before you go are there any final points you would like to make to us?’ o Be ready for the obvious questions; ‘When will I hear the result?’ o Be sure that you have got every bit of evidence you need to make your judgement Once the candidate has gone, you can only guess at the answers they might have given!

Completion of Paperwork

Interview Report Form CEng

Interview Score Form

Score Allocation (Interview Report Form completed during Interview) Competence / Commitment Level of ActivityScore No Knowledge Insufficient understanding of the activity 0 AppreciationHas a basic understanding of the activity 1 Knowledge Has an understanding of the activity and its application 2 Experience Has the ability to apply learned knowledge and skills to perform operations 3 Know-howHas the ability to apply learned knowledge and skills to perform operations intuitively, efficiently and correctly 4

Score Recommendation for CEng & IEng The candidate shall be recommended for Registration if the following conditions are met; The total score is not less than 38 And The block mean score in any block is not less than 2 And There is not more than one zero across the whole form Where the above conditions are not met by a small margin, but the Interviewers wish to recommend Registration, they may make a positive recommendation provided they argue a case for dispensation from the normal guidelines.

Score Recommendation for EngTech The candidate shall be recommended for Registration if the following conditions are met; The total score is not less than 31 And The block mean score in any block is not less than 2 And There is not more than one zero across the whole form Where the above conditions are not met by a small margin, but the Interviewers wish to recommend Registration, they may make a positive recommendation provided they argue a case for dispensation from the normal guidelines

Recommendation for Member Manager The candidate shall be recommended for election if the Competence and Commitment criteria are met for this grade.

Making a Judgement

The Professional review is to enable Interviewers to ensure the Membership Committee that there is EVIDENCE that a candidate has the necessary ‘Competence and Commitment’ required for Membership and Registration The Candidate’s job is to make a sufficient case, using a form of ‘cross-mapping’ process Do not seek ‘mastery’ of every item in the Competence and Commitment lists, but a sensible balance Best evidence for E4 (CPD) is evidence of having learned to learn, and a realistic action plan If the evidence does not ‘fit’, be prepared to test against criteria for another grade

Review your ‘Report Form’ notes from the Interview Collate any other relevant evidence, e.g documentary ‘witness testimony’ Use the ‘Interview Score Form’ and it’s scoring methodology to guide you to a judgement You cannot expect excellence overall, but neither must there be large ‘blank’ areas. Use ‘comments’ space Note that everything you write is ‘personal data’ within the Data Protection Act 1998 (accuracy?) Your process must be transparent and fair, to comply with the Human Rights Act You can be challenged at appeal, Industrial Tribunal or Judicial Review!

Failure Report Form Extract Which area(s) of assessment did the candidate fail and why? What action(s) should the candidate take to improve their competence in these areas? Any other advice

Assessment of a Typical Professional Review Report (Group Exercise)

Open Forum

Workshop Review & Feedback

Provision of Venues

IGEM Professional Review Interview Workshop Wednesday 23 rd May 2012