§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations she has received from the engineering profession on changes to the IJK Standards for Registration as a Professional Engineering Technician; [107970]
(2) what criteria were used in deciding on the proposals for changes to the UK Standards for Registration as a Professional Engineering Technician; [107968]
485W(3) what recent discussions she has had with the Engineering Council on the changes in the UK Standards for Registration as a Professional Engineering Technician; [107962.]
(4) how far the proposed UK Standards for Registration as a Professional Engineering Technician will be compatible with those in other EU countries; [107965]
(5) what assessment she has made of the extent to which the proposals for changes to the UK Standards for Registration as a Professional Engineering Technician meet the recommendations of the Deering Report. [107969]
§ Ms HewittI have not had any discussions on this matter nor received any representations.
I understand that the Engineering Council (UK) is consulting extremely widely through major trade associations, training organisations and the engineering institutions about proposals to develop the standards applied in registration of profession engineers and Engineering Technicians in the UK. The intention is to make them more consistent with industry needs. However, no formal proposals yet exist.
I know that the Engineering and Technology Board is also considering perceived shortages of Engineering Technicians in order to try and address possible threats to the future productivity of UK industry. The two organisations are working closely together on this and other issues.