Thinking of becoming a member?
Things are changing.
Over the last 12 months the Association has carried out an extensive review of its membership criteria and processes for assessment of potential members.
From 2012 a formalised competency based assessment will be used to ensure that all new members of the Association are competent to practice.
The assessment of applicants seeking membership has always been based upon competency, however the Association has recently undertaken a review of the criteria for corporate membership and the levels and range of competencies required, taking into consideration the evolving role of the Building Engineer in the industry, the level of expectation from clients and employers and benchmarking the Associations requirements against other leading professional bodies.
The pathways to full Corporate Membership have always been founded on the demonstrated competence of the professional and the primary route to membership remains the Evaluation of Professional Competence examinations and interview. The Association recognises that those who have completed a competency based qualification such as an NVQ at the appropriate level may also be considered for membership under this route without the need for further examination.
It is acknowledged that individuals may be able to demonstrate competence by other means.
In addition to our Evaluation of Professional Competence (EPC) route we will retain a ‘Direct Entry’ route, where building engineers who hold professional membership at an appropriate level of another professional body with equivalent competency requirements for members will qualify for ABE membership.
Applicants holding an accredited or recognised degree qualification plus at least two years practical experience will be able to apply under our graduate entry route and as part of their submission they will be required to provide a diary portfolio to represent at least 12 months work experience. The portfolio and qualification will form the basis of the demonstration of competence.
The Association is retaining a route to full corporate membership for those experienced individuals who may not have all of the formal academic qualifications necessary to achieve membership by one of the other routes. This peer review route will require applicants to demonstrate that they meet all of the key competencies of a Building Engineer.
Have you already attended a Membership Seminar?
There are a large number of potential members who have already attended a membership seminar and who have started preparing their applications and submission materials based upon the previous requirements and criteria.
The Association will continue to accept applications based on the previous system from those who have already attended a membership seminar, however these applications must be completed by 31st December 2012. After that date all applicants will be required to submit applications to demonstrate that the key competencies have been achieved.
All Change? No Change!
In essence those seeking membership of the ABE have always been assessed in terms of their competence to practice. It is a fundamental aspect of the Associations rules of professional conduct that members ‘maintain their competence, undertake only professional tasks for which they are competent and disclose relevant limitations of competence’.
The introduction of a set of ‘Key Competencies’ will enable this assessment to continue in a more transparent manner, with applicants being able to understand exactly what they have to achieve and for the competence of the future Building Engineers to reflect the needs of industry, employers, clients and the public.
Further information regarding the membership criteria and the ways in which competence can be demonstrated are available online or you can contact the membership team to discuss on 01604 404121.
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