The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) are managing a new competency register for their professionally qualified members to ensure the safety of higher-risk buildings (HRBs).
Professionally qualified IStructE and ICE members, who have at least five years’ experience following their professional registration, can now submit applications to join the register, which will be held by the Engineering Council.
The public register has been developed as part of the profession’s response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, aligning with the Building Safety Act’s objective to raise standards in the industry following the fire. The wider public can be assured that engineers involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of HRBs listed on the register adhere to robust levels of competence.
The institutions were granted a joint licence by the Engineering Council to manage the application process for the HRB (Structures) Register.
Yasmin Becker, CEO of IStructE says: “This development is an excellent example of structural and civil engineering bodies working together for the benefit of structural safety. With some 12,500 HRBs to be assessed by 2029, competent engineers are and will be in demand. We therefore welcome applicants to be tested in this specialist discipline.”
Dr Janet Young, Director General, ICE says: “As civil, infrastructure, and structural engineers, we are committed to ethical practice. An essential part of this is putting safety at the heart of everything we do. This register is an important step to increase public transparency in how critical infrastructure is managed. We’re pleased to be working with the Engineering Council and IStructE to deliver this essential register.”
To join the register, eligible engineers will be assessed on five key competence areas, with 21 sub-competences. These criteria are defined by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) HRB Framework.
The five areas are:
• Knowledge and understanding
• Design, development and solving engineering problems
• Responsibility, management and leadership
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Personal and professional commitment.
Applicants need to submit an application form, their CV and an experience report form for each of the competences, alongside a portfolio of evidence.
They will then be interviewed by assessors who will submit a final report to the IStructE/ICE HRB Joint Committee for the final stage of the registration process.
IStructE is managing the process for both bodies, with further details here: Higher Risk Buildings Registration - The Institution of Structural Engineers
