Professional Engineering

BAE Systems and six British engineering institutions have signed a training and development deal to help the defence company’s engineers achieve professional status. 

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is between BAE and the IMechE, Institution of Engineering and Technology, The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and the Royal Aeronautical Society. The deal is being overseen by the Engineering Council. 

The MoU outlines activities for all parties including establishing a steering group for professional registration. Each engineering institution will seek to formally accredit BAE’s graduate and apprentice training programmes as well as visiting the company’s sites to mentor and give advice to engineers seeking registration as Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer. 

Tammy Lillie, head of engineering capability development at BAE, said: “We believe this move is the first of its kind. The MoU will help to formally accredit our graduate and apprenticeship programmes, which has been somewhat piecemeal in the past.

“I think it demonstrates to our staff the commitment we have to them and how we value professional registration.”

BAE said it would actively encourage its engineers to host and support regional engineering events jointly with the professional institutions. These events could help to boost the profile of engineering among youngsters, Lillie said. The company will also establish a directory to help its engineers access mentoring and advice from qualified professionals.