With over 40 registration events already planned to take place in the 2010/11 session and that number set to rise even further, all UK-based IET members are sure to find a local event that will provide them with professional registration advice.

“Events like this are definitely good,” says IET member Helen Smith. “I did find it a lot easier to attend this as I was able to work at home for the day and then just come here rather than have to head into London. Having a young family means it's a lot easier to attend things closer to home.”

There are different types of registration events taking place, such as the usual lecture style gathering where the awareness of registration is raised more generally. LNs have noticed, however, that the most popular events have been those that allow members to have one-to-one time with a professional registration advisor (PRA) and so have begun to focus on regularly running such nights.

“During the first year we held 13 events, last year we did 19 and by the end of 2010 we will have done 38,” enthuses Louise Parfrey, IET registration manager.

Meeting with a professional registration advisor

When there is a registration event in the area, any members who are yet to become professionally registered are sent a personal invitation to attend and to book in a one to one slot with a volunteer PRAs. During this time, usually between 10-15 minutes, you can ask any questions relevant to your registration application.

We headed along to a recent registration event held by the Berkshire Local Network (LN) and found that hearing about these events and the support on offer was enough for many members who’d been musing over registration for a number of years to finally become proactive.

“Getting the email drop was a big trigger,” says Smith. “It was on the list of things to do for sometime and when I got the email I thought, right, that’s it!”

A ‘must do’ for all engineers

Attending such an event is a must for anyone interested in applying for registration and is open to engineers at any stage in their career.

“Attendees have ranged from engineers who’ve just graduated and want to find out how they start putting together a portfolio of evidence together through to those further down their career who want to become registered more for personal achievement,” says Parfrey.

“The key benefits of these events are that members of the network are given the opportunity to come along and have a face-to-face meeting with a PRA. If they come to an event like this they can sit down and talk it through, find out if they’re on the right route. Many aren't sure what level of registration they want to apply for, so again it's a great opportunity to come and have a face-to-face meeting with somebody.”

No question too big or small

These events are perfect for members to ask questions specific to them: everyone’s education and experience is different. During the Berkshire LN event, questions ranged from finding out if a degree was accredited and if a member should be applying for IEng or CEng, through to getting support on how to evidence oneself and clarification on filling out the form.

Many members don’t think they’re ready to apply and the PRAs are happy to clear up any worries they might have, often allowing them to leave with a more positive outlook.

“I’m often asked personal questions – the kinds you might not want to stand up and ask in a room full of 50 people,” says Mike Bridgefoot, head of Registration and Standards at the IET. “People want to know how they can progress if they only have a HND, they might be worried if they’re qualifications aren't good enough.

“We’re here to stop the mental block, when you think wait, I can’t do this. We give you the information you need and help you see how to provide the evidence you need.”

What the members say

We asked a few of the attendees of the Berkshire LN event what they thought of the opportunity to come and discuss things with a PRA.

“I thought it went really well,” says IET member Paul Harris. “It was very useful to talk to the interviewer and I’ve been reassured that I’m at the right level to apply.”

“It was really useful as you go in there with specific concerns,” adds IET member Noel Butler. “It was definitely worth attending as it focuses you on what you’re meant to be doing and the PRAs give you pointers to useful information too.”

“It’s a privilege and something people should not miss,” IET member Ejiro Omuataise concludes.