The engineering associate works with well-defined engineering problems – i.e. what is defined in a prescriptive standard and hence little to no engineering judgement is required.
How to develop such a person?
I suggest the following…
Stage 1 – Electrical engineering education
I suggest that a Dublin Accord degree (or equivalent qualification) in electrical engineering (or related – e.g. mechatronics) is recommended for entry to practice.
Stage 2B – Railway control systems engineering experience
I suggest that there should be a period of working under supervision.
Stage 2B – Railway control systems engineering training
This is the same as for professional engineers.
Stage 3 – Independent practice
Independent practice is actually after the end of initial professional development. However, I include it here to discuss how readiness for independent practice can be demonstrated.
I suggest that completion of the above allows for independent practice at the level of engineering associate. This would be independent practice within an engineering associate’s scope of practice – i.e. only in accordance with a prescriptive standard.
This allows demonstration of competence for well-defined engineering problems.
Summary
The recommended initial professional development for an engineering associate is summarised in Table 6.
