IGEM News
The latest news from IGEM.16 December 2009
New IGEM Membership Grades for Downstream Gas
IGEM is proud of its history and reputation as the professional body for gas engineers and it continues to seek ways to broaden its membership base. Last month, Council has approved the introduction of two new grades of membership to encompass the downstream sector. This will recognise the expertise of people carrying out work on gas installations and appliances throughout the UK.
Much of the Installer population rests outside of the major businesses and its importance within the industry can often be overlooked. Similarly the role of these downstream operatives in delivering gas safety to consumers can go unrecognized. IGEM hopes that the introduction of the new grades will go some way towards addressing this.
IGEM is equally mindful of the importance of its role in recognising and protecting the professional standing of its engineers. We, together with the Engineering Council, are justifiably diligent in our applications criteria and we are committed to the continuous professional development of our members.
We have therefore been careful not to attach the word Engineer to the new grades and, whilst we cannot legislate for how others may use the term, we continually try to influence against its misuse.
The first of the new grades will be the Gas Technician (broadly equivalent to the Associate Member level). This will be available from the New Year. This grade will be open to all registrants of the Gas Safe Register. Typical qualifications for Gas Safe registrants are:
- National Accredited Certification Scheme for individual Gas Fitting Operatives (ACS)
- ACS aligned National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (NVQ/SVQ).
Peter Eldridge, Gas Safe Register Chief Executive welcomes the initiative and said ‘IGEM are offering a new grade of membership to Gas Safe registered installers that recognises their expertise and adds value for our registrants.’ He also commented ‘Anything we can do that helps ‘raise the bar’ has to be a good thing for gas safety.’
It is intended to introduce the further grade, possibly called Licensed Gas Technician, during the latter part of next year. This higher grade will reflect additional competences and qualifications and will be suitable for team leaders and first line managers or members in smaller businesses seeking to differentiate their services. This will complete the stepping stones that lead to Eng Technician, the point at which their professional standing is recognised by the Engineering Council.