The establishment of The Institution of Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, South Africa The Institution of Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, South Africa, is a learned and vocational institution that caters to all certificated electrical and mechanical engineers in South Africa. It is also the only Institution for Certificated Engineers that enjoys statutory recognition in terms of the Engineering Profession of South Africa Act. The Mission Statement The Mission of the Institution of Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, South Africa, is to uphold the professional image, status, and interests of all Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers through; Representing the Certificated Engineer through pro-active participation on statutory, educational, and professional decision-making bodies. Regular formal communication to and between members to promote member interaction, fellowship, and ongoing professional development of the Certificated Engineer. To ensure the active participation of our members at the branch level. The Vision Formally recognized within the profession as the representative body of all Certificated Engineers with the membership of The Institution of Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, South Africa is highly regarded by members through the visible and tangible added value benefit of membership through a combination of active branch activity and sound intercommunication to and between the members. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Institution are:

• To develop the Institution as the natural professional home for engineering general practitioners who are adequately qualified by education and experience to take full responsibility for employees and machinery in both electrical and mechanical branches of engineering.
• To promote the general advancement of the electrical and mechanical engineering sciences and in particular the application thereof to the design, installation, maintenance, operation and control of fixed or mobile plant and equipment; to provide facilities for the exchange of information on these subjects amongst members of the Institution; to hold meetings and to place on record the proceedings of such meetings.
• To uphold the status of the electrical and mechanical engineering profession particularly in so far as they affect those members of the profession engaged in the design installation, maintenance, operation, and control of fixed or mobile plant and equipment.
• To conduct such examinations as may be necessary to establish the qualifications of candidates for membership of the Institution or to grant exemptions to candidates in possession of qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
• To support the efficient administration of the existing laws appertaining to the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering professions and recommend amendments thereto as of and when considered desirable.
• To form or assist in the formation of a technical library.
• To purchase, sell, take on a lease or otherwise acquire or dispose of and deal with any lands, building or property, movable or immovable, which may be required for the purposes of or capable of being conveniently used in connection with any of the objects of the Institution.
• To erect, maintain, improve, or alter any buildings or erections for the purpose of the Institution.
• To borrow or raise money by the issue of mortgage bonds, debentures, bills of exchange, promissory notes, or other securities of the Institution or by mortgage or change of all or any part of the property or assets of the Institution.
• To invest and deal with the money of the Institution in such manner as may from time to time be determined and to lend money on such security and to such persons, company, bank, or institution as may seem expedient.
• To award study grants and bursaries.
• To encourage members to apply to the Engineering Council of South Africa for registration as a Certificated Engineer-in-training or Registered Certificated Engineer.
• To appoint delegates to other engineering bodies when invited to do so.
• To do all things incidental or conducive to the attainment of any or all of these objects.

REPRESENTATION ON PROFESSIONAL BODIES The Institution has formal representation on the following bodies:

• Engineering Council of SA (ECSA): Main Council; Registration Committees; Education Advisory Committee; Technicon Accreditation Committee; Steering Committee – Rationalization of Certificates of competency.
• Commission of Examiners for Engineers Certificates of Competency
• SABS Technical Sub Committee

WHAT IS A CERTIFICATED ENGINEER?

• The term “Certificated” refers to the qualification attained by passing an accredited training program and examination. The qualification is presently known as the Government Certificate of Competency, hence the commonly accepted abbreviated reference to “Certificated”. The process for attainment is shown in the education routing diagram.
• The Engineering Profession of South Africa Act, No. 46 of 2000 defines a Certificated Engineer as a person who is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Certificated Engineer.
• Certificates of Competency are issued for the purpose of the registration as an Engineer at Factories, Mines and Works, as a Marine Engineer, and as a Mine Manager.
• South African Laws legislate for the appointment of competent electrical and mechanical engineers to take responsibility for the supervision of plant and machinery in the industry.
• Such certificates are issued in terms of the above acts and regulations, by the Department of Employment and Labour or the Department of Minerals and Energy.
• Where the installed capacity of plant and equipment exceeds certain power levels, only persons in possession of a Government Certificate may be appointed. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the misconception that the Certificated Engineer exists solely to comply with the legislative requirements.
• The need for the certificated engineer is primarily through an industrial need and secondarily through a legislative need. certificated engineers have created a market need that goes beyond the fulfilling of statutory requirements.
• The Certificated Engineer, however, provides necessary vital competencies to the industry. Certificated Engineers contribute to the safe growth and profitability of the industry by providing professional engineering skills and managerial services to the industry owners and users of equipment and machinery.
• The Certificated Engineer has the ability to perform work in the public sphere in accordance with the qualifications, experience, and according to a code of professional conduct.
• Space restricts the listing of the vast varieties of industry utilizing the engineer.
• The word “Industry” becomes synonymous with the word “Engineer.” The Engineer adds value to the core business of his relevant industry by providing the specific expertise required in maintenance management, condition monitoring, quality control, project management, safety and risk management, administrative procedures, human resources management, decision making, innovation, technology advancement, and process control.
• The education route diagram shows the practical and academic training required.
• The qualification process ensures that the candidate meets the required competency level by obtaining suitable technical, academic, managerial, experiential, and behavioural training.
• This candidate must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of engineering aspects such as design, construction, erection, operation, maintenance, acts, and regulations.
• The evaluation of these competencies is not only by examination but through a process of quality assurance during and at the end of the training period.

ADVANTAGES OF MEMBERSHIP

• Members have, through the Institution, a recognized formal representative channel of communication to other professional and statutory bodies.
• The Institution is formally recognized by other professional and legal bodies, as the legitimate body representing the interest of all Certificated Engineers.
• The Institution is the only forum representing Certificated Engineers holding all Certificates, Mines, Factories, Mechanical and Electrical.
• The branches provide an active forum for sharing common interests and broadening the general engineering knowledge of the members.
• Members of the Institution have formal nominated representation on professional and statutory bodies through which the interests of the Certificated Engineer are enhanced and maintained.
• Benefits of membership include free distribution of technical journals and newsletters.

THE FUTURE There is a continued need for the Certificated Engineer in industry and this is through proactive contribution to productivity and safety. As technology advances, the continued development and introduction of mechanisation and automation are imminent and this will create further need for competent Certificated Engineers. To compliment a shortage of skilled professional engineers, the Certificated Engineer has an ongoing role to play. Certification or compulsory registration as a form of licensing will be necessary as a means to protect public health and safety. An area that the Institution has a responsibility to proactive advance the professional status of the Certificated Engineer is an international recognition, not only of the accreditation process and education programs but also of the individual registration. The Institution is actively participating in the process to ensure sustained standards of competency for the ongoing qualification of competent engineers. The legislation is but one component to ensure that the necessary competent persons perform specific tasks. The continued need for the Certificated Engineer in the industry is necessary through their proactive contribution to productivity and safety. The future South African industry must overcome the tradition of poor productivity. The obvious solution is the introduction of mechanization and automation. This will create further need for competent Certificated Engineers. To complement this shortage of skilled professional engineers, the Certificated Engineer has an ongoing role to play. Certification or compulsory registration as a form of licensing will be necessary as a means to protect public health and safety. This should be seen in the context of enabling competent persons to take responsibility for work that requires professional skills. Such registration also needs to tie in and be compatible with standard-setting and competence assessment in other fields. Overseas recognition, both of the accreditation process and education programs and individual registration needs to be pursued. It is in this area that the Institution has a responsibility to proactively advance the professional status of the Certificated Engineer. The Institution is actively participating in the process to ensure sustained standards of competency for the ongoing qualification of competent engineers.