Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, some post-secondary institutions in the U.S. and Canada began offering degrees in engineering technology, focusing on applied study rather than the more theoretical studies required for engineering degrees. The focus on applied study addressed a need within the scientific, manufacturing, and engineering communities, as well as other industries, for professionals with hands-on and applications-based engineering knowledge. Depending on the institution,
associate's or
bachelor's degrees are offered, with some institutions also offering
advanced degrees in engineering technology. In general, an engineering technologist receives a broad range of
applied science and
applied mathematics training, as well as the fundamentals of engineering in the student's area of focus. Engineering technology programs typically include instruction in providing support to specific engineering specialties.
Information technology is primarily involved with the management, operation, and maintenance of computer systems and networks, along with an application of technology in diverse fields such as
architecture, engineering,
graphic design,
telecommunications,
computer science, and
network security. An engineering technologist is also expected to have had some coursework in
ethics. In 2001,
Professional organizations from different countries have signed a mutual recognition agreement called the
Sydney Accord, which represents an understanding that the academic credentials of engineering technologists will be recognized in all signatory states. The recognition given engineering technologists under the Sydney Accord can be compared to the
Washington Accord for engineers and the
Dublin Accord for
engineering technicians. The
Engineering Technologist Mobility Forum (ETMF) is an international forum held by signatories of the Sydney Accord to explore mutual recognition for experienced engineering technologists and to remove artificial barriers to the free movement and practice of engineering technologists amongst their countries. ETMF can be compared to the Engineers Mobility Forum (EMF) for engineers. Graduates acquiring an associate degree, or lower, typically find careers as engineering technicians. According to the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics: "Many four-year colleges offer bachelor's degrees in engineering technology and graduates of these programs are hired to work as entry-level engineers or applied engineers, but not technicians." Engineering technicians typically have a two-year associate degree, while engineering technologists have a bachelor's degrees.
Canada In Canada, the new occupational category of "technologist" was established in the 1960s, in conjunction with an emerging system of community colleges and
technical institutes. It was designed to effectively bridge the gap between the increasingly theoretical nature of engineering degrees and the predominantly practical approach of
technician and trades programs. Provincial associations may certify individuals as a
professional technologist (P.Tech.),
certified engineering technologist (C.E.T.),
registered engineering technologist (R.E.T.),
applied science technologist (AScT), or technologue professionel (T.P.). These provincial associations are constituent members of
Technology Professionals Canada (TPC), which accredits technology programs across Canada, through its
Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC). Nationally accredited engineering technology programs range from two to three years in length, depending on the province, and often require as many classroom hours as a 4-year degree program.
United States In the United States, the
U.S. Department of Education or the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) are at the top of the educational accreditation hierarchy. The U.S. Department of Education acknowledges regional and national accreditation and CHEA recognizes specialty accreditation. One technology accreditation is currently recognized by CHEA: The
Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). CHEA recognizes ATMAE for accrediting associate, baccalaureate, and master's degree programs in technology, applied technology, engineering technology, and technology-related disciplines delivered by national or regional accredited institutions in the United States. As of March 2019, ABET withdrew from CHEA recognition The
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) awards certification at two levels, depending on work experience: the Associate Engineering Technologist (AT) and the Certified Engineering Technologist (CT). ATMAE awards two levels of certification in technology management: Certified Technology Manager (CTM) and Certified Senior Technology Manager (CSTM). ATMAE also awards two levels of certification of manufacturing specialist: Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMS) and Certified Senior Manufacturing Specialist (CSMS). In 2020, ATMAE announced offering the Certified Controls Engineer (CCE) and Certified Senior Controls Engineer (CSCE) professional certifications. While the CTM, CMS, and CCE certifications are obtained through examination, the CSTM, CSMS and CSCE require industry experience and continuous improvement via the obtainment of professional development units (PDUs). The American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians (ASCET) is a membership organization that issues Certified Member certifications to engineering technicians and engineering technologists. Professional engineers are issued Registered Member certification.
United Kingdom The United Kingdom has a decades-long tradition of producing engineering technologists via the apprenticeship system. UK engineering technologists have always been designated as "engineers", which in the UK is used to describe the entire range of skilled workers and professionals, from tradespeople through to the highly-educated
Chartered Engineer. In fact, up until the 1960s, professional engineers in the UK were often referred to as "Technologists" to distinguish them from scientists, technicians, and craftspeople. The modern term for an engineering technologist is "incorporated engineer" (IEng), although since 2000 the normal route to achieving IEng is with a bachelor's or honors degree in engineering or technology. Modern technical apprenticeships would normally lead to the engineering technician (EngTech) professional qualification and, with further studies at higher apprenticeship level, an IEng. Since 2015, the
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has introduced engineering degree (bachelors and masters) apprenticeships. The title "incorporated engineer" is protected by civil law. Prior to the title "incorporated engineer", UK technologists were known as "technician engineers" a designation introduced in the 1960s. In the United Kingdom, an incorporated engineer is accepted as a "professional engineer", registered by the Engineering Council, although the term "professional engineer" has no legal in the UK, and there are no restrictions in practice. In fact, anyone in the UK can call themselves an "engineer" or "professional engineer" without any qualifications or proven competencies in engineering, and most UK skilled trades are sometimes referred to as "professional" or "accredited" engineers. Examples are Registered Gas Engineer (gas installer) or "Professional Telephone Engineer" (phone line installer or fault diagnosis). Incorporated engineers are recognized internationally through the Sydney Accord academic agreement as engineering technologists. One of the professional titles of engineers in the United Kingdom, recognized in the Washington Accord is chartered engineer. The incorporated engineer is a professional engineer as declared by the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom (ECUK). The European designation, as demonstrated by the prescribed title under 2005/36/EC, is "engineer". The incorporated engineer operates autonomously and directs activities independently. They do not necessarily need the support of chartered engineers, because they are often acknowledged as full engineers in the UK (but not in Canada or the US). The United Kingdom incorporated engineer may also contribute to the design of new products and systems. The chartered engineer and incorporated engineer, whilst often undertaking similar roles, are distinct qualifications awarded by the EngC, with Chartered Engineer (CEng) status being the terminal engineering qualification. Incorporated engineers currently require an IEng-accredited bachelors or honors degree in engineering or technology (prior to 1997 the B.Sc. and B.Eng. degrees satisfied the academic requirements for "chartered engineer" registration), a
Higher National Certificate or diploma,
City and Guilds of London Institute higher diploma/full technological cert diploma, or a
Foundation Degree in engineering or technology, plus appropriate further learning to degree level, or an
NVQ4 or
SVQ4 qualifications approved for the purpose by a licensed engineering institution. The academic requirements must be accompanied by the appropriate peer-reviewed experience in employment—typically 4 years post qualification. In addition to the experience and academic requirements, the engineering candidate must have three referees (themselves CEng or IEng) who vouch for the performance of the individual being considered for professional recognition. There are a number of alternative ways to achieve IEng status for those that do not have the necessary qualifications for applicants, but who can clearly show they have achieved the same level as those with qualifications, including: • writing a technical report, based upon their experience and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of engineering principles; • earning the City and Guilds graduate diploma (bachelors level) and a postgraduate diploma (masters level) accredited by the
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE),
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE); • following a work-based learning program; • or taking an academic program specified by the institution to which they are applying.
Germany – European Union Engineering technologist / state-certified engineer The engineering technologist (state-certified technician; ) are vocational (non-academic) qualifications at the tertiary level in Germany. The degree is governed by the framework agreement of trade and technical schools (resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the states in the Federal Republic of Germany of 7 November 2002 in its respective applicable version) and is recognised by all states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is awarded after passing state examinations at state or state-recognised technical school or academies (). Through the Vocational Training Modernisation Act (12.12.2019), state-certified engineers are also allowed to hold the title
Bachelor Professional in Technik as of 1 January 2020. To be eligible for the engineering technologist examination, candidates must fulfill the following requirements: completion of one of the school systems (
Hauptschule,
Realschule,
Gymnasium), an apprenticeship of at least two years duration, one year of completed professional work experience and attendance of an educational program with a course load of 2400–3000 hours, usually completed within two years, full-time, or 3.5–4 years, part-time, at vocational colleges.
State-certified technicians/engineers in the EU directives As of 31 January 2012, state-certified engineers, state-certified business managers and state-certified designers are at level 6-bachelor in the
European Qualifications Framework (EQF), equivalent to a bachelor's degree. As such, the engineering technologist constitutes an advanced entry qualification for German universities and in principle permits entry into any undergraduate academic-degree program. The qualifications are listed in
EU Directives as recognised, regulated professions in Germany and the EU. Annexes C and D were added to Council Directive 92/51/EEC as a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC. Institutions involved included the federal government (in Germany, the
Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the
Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology), EU Standing Conference and Economic Ministerial Meeting of Countries, the German Chamber of Crafts, the
Confederation of German Employers' Associations, German Chambers of Industry and Commerce,
Confederation of German Trade Unions, and the Federal Institute for Vocational Application. These government institutions agreed on a common position regarding the implementation of the EQF and a German qualifications framework (DQR). European Union law and other documents considered to be public include: • Annexes C and D to Council Directive 92/51/EEC on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC • EU Directive 2005L0036-EN 01.01.2007 • ANNEX III list of regulated education and training referred to in the third subparagraph of Article 13(2) ==See also==