End of year registration statistics issued by the Engineering Council show a significant increase in the number of practising engineers recognising the value of gaining professional qualifications.  During 2009 the number of new registrations for Chartered Engineer (CEng) was nine per cent higher than in 2008, and new Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registrations have grown by ten per cent.  In addition, there has been a net increase in the total number of Engineering Technician (EngTech) registrants for the fifth consecutive year.

Andrew Ramsay, the Engineering Council's chief executive said: 'We've noticed a surge in enquiries about registration over the past year, and are pleased that our figures show how many of these have been successfully registered.  No doubt the results are in part due to the competitive job market, as well as industry recognition of both the added status and the importance of being professionally qualified.  We have invested in spreading the word about how professional registration improves job security and career prospects, and is open to any competent, practising engineer, with different pathways available.'

The rise in women engineers achieving chartered status has continued too, with women accounting for over 11 per cent of total new registrants for the third year running (12.4 per cent in 2009; 11.6 per cent in 2008; 11.4 per cent in 2007).