Economic reality

The place of the Technician Engineer and Technician in the engineering profession is currently the subject of much controversy between the Institutions. On 1st December the Institution of Mechanical Engineers is holding a Special Meeting at which members will be asked to approve action to be taken to amend the Royal Charter and Bye-laws to permit the election of Technician Engineers and Technicians. This article by the Immediate Past President of the I.E.R.E., which was contributed to the November issue of `Chartered Mechanical Engineer¿ and is reproduced by permission of the Council of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, supports the case for the proposed changes for many of the reasons which influenced the I.E.R.E. in taking a similar step four years ago. The position of Technician Engineers and Technicians is now being further consolidated with the establishment of their respective Sections under the Engineers´ Registration Board.