We’re stepping into the New Year with our own set of resolutions.
Firstly, I would like to wish you all the very best for 2024.
This year will see the development and issue of the 2030 SOE Strategy within Q1 with its associated business delivery plan.
From my recent appointment as Interim-Chair, I am working with the Staff and Trustees with the members to ensure that the organisational structure and both governance and controls are in place to support the business plan for its key delivery targets. In the meantime, please find below some of the key focus areas that SOE is providing its membership over the coming months. I look forward to sharing more about the activities that will enable the delivery of our 2024 plan and the SOE Strategy 2030.
As one of the leading Professional Engineering Institutions, supporting individuals and organisations to operate in safe working environments, using modern practices, in a technically proficient way remains one of our primary responsibilities.
However, we also have an obligation to our community to deliver the best return for your investment. As the trusted membership body for individuals and organisations, our top priority is to bring you the best thought leadership, career advice, CPD lectures, networking opportunities and a community to thrive.
We’re stepping into the New Year with our own set of resolutions.
irtec and workshop accreditation
As many of you already know, irtec is the industry standard for HGV and PSV technicians. I’m pleased to report that irtec accreditation is on the rise, with 2023 reporting an 18.6% rise in total active irtec licenses, with more individuals and organisations taking proactive steps to raise standards and playing their part.
We are working with more workshops to get them accredited this year and will continue to offer support to anyone interested in exploring this path.
Professional Registration
In 2023, we saw a 96%, 86% and 71% increase in EngTech, IEng and CEng applications respectively, compared to the previous year. This is a positive indication that Professional Registration is gaining more recognition amongst aspiring engineers and its relevance to career progression.
We will soon be announcing some exciting news on SocEnv Professional Registration as well as new accreditations in the coming months. So, stay tuned for more.
We also have plans to run regular webinars to help new applicants navigate the processes and requirements of Professional Registration. Keep an eye out on our events page or your emails for new updates.
Sign up to our Engineering Council Professional Registration webinar on 29 February at 10am
CPD
The SOE and its regions delivered 85 hours of CPD lectures in 2023 ranging from net zero, electric vehicles and alternative fuels to advanced driver safety technology, tachograph analysis and intelligence speed assistance.
Our popular webinars were:
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Acoustic-Based Machine Condition Monitoring
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Net zero
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Alternative fuels in fleet
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Tyre, Wheel & Brake Safety Systems
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Tachograph Analysis
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Advanced driver safety technology
You can watch them on demand here.
If you have an emerging advancement or existing topic that will support the professional development of SOE's members, we invite you to submit an application here.
Our events and offerings
Save the date for some of our key events of 2024.
Commercial Vehicle Show 2024, 23 – 25 April 2024, NEC, Birmingham
As the largest road freight transport, distribution, and logistics event in the United Kingdom, the Commercial Vehicle Show, which many of you know as the CV Show, returns to the NEC this Spring.
This year’s event comes with the added feature of a 3-day class-leading on-site seminar covering a range of topics from decarbonisation and new technologies to people and skills. It’s not just an exhibition, it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best.
You can book your free spot here.
IRTE Bus & Coach Skills Challenge 2024, June 2024, Bristol
IRTE Skills Challenge is our annual national competition showcasing the exceptional skills of the engineering stars working in the bus and coach sectors.
Now, in its 12th year, the Skills Challenge has grand plans this year to bring more focus to tackling skills shortages in the road transport sector. It’s an excellent opportunity for PSV engineers, technicians and apprentices from across the country to bring their teams for a day of testing, networking and knowledge sharing. Winners will take home awards from across 16 categories.
Learn more and enter your teams today
Regional events
On top of the digital lectures, SOE also delivers regional events providing excellent networking and knowledge sharing opportunities for our members across the nation.
From health and safety to alternative fuel, we already have an intriguing line up of topics and speakers for you in the first quarter.
Don’t forget to bookmark our events page and register early to secure your spot.
Thought leadership
2024 is a big year for us with a general election in the horizon, plus new announcements made by the government on zero emission vehicle transition, all while we tackle a skills shortage of engineers and non-compliance across many engineering firms.
Our professional sectors are working hard to bring pragmatic changes and influence the industry, while our leadership team remain focused on how we can deploy our resources effectively to bring you more value.
We are also working closely with our partners DVSA, Backhouse Jones Solicitors, CV Advisors, RouteOne and others to make sure we are staying on top of what matters to you. Our journals, Transport Engineer and Operations Engineer, are just two of the many outlets through which we deliver timely thought leadership to you. So, make sure you renew your SOE membership to continue receiving these.
Career advice for those looking for jobs or switching careers
We host regular sessions on preparing your CV for engineering jobs and how to set your best foot forward to secure the right opportunity.
We are working closely with our partners, The CV & Interview Advisors, this year to bring you a new set of webinars to help you navigate the labour market.
In the meantime, visit our resources library to stay on top of the latest trends and topics in this space.
Membership support
On top of all the above, you have access to our friendly and experienced membership team who can help you with queries about Professional Registration, CPD, irtec and others. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on email at [email protected] and call us on +44 (0)20 7630 1111.
If you have an inspiring story to share about your engineering career, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop our marketing team a note here and we’ll get back to you.
We are here to support you – whether you are a new member finding your bearings in the engineering landscape, or making a transition between membership stages or working on getting qualified or switching from another membership body.
Thank you for your support so far, and we are looking forward to a triumphant year ahead with your continued championing.
Wishing you a successful year.
Warmest wishes,
Howard Seymour
Chair
The Society of Operations Engineers