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ECSA registration - Pr. Cert. Eng.

Brian P. O’Connor17 July 2012

ECSA backgroundThe Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is the statutory body established to regulate the engineering profession in South Africa. In line with international practice and with other professions in this country, it is expected that all practicing engineers register with their recognised professional body.

This is in line with the medical, legal and financial professions.

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Council for the Built Environment (CBE)The CBE is the umbrella statutory body encompassing the six BE professions and their councils –

• Engineering• Architecture• Landscape architects• Project and construction management• Property valuation• Quantity surveying

In 2000, the CBE Act was promulgated empowering them to make regulations governing who must be registered to perform Engineering work.

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Council for the Built Environment (CBE)They must consider the recommendations made by ECSA then promulgate their Identification of Engineering Work (IoEW) Regulations. ECSA has recommended that all appointed Engineers (and Managers) on Mines and Works must be registered as Pr. Cert. Eng. They maintain that the GCC alone is not a measure of competence.

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Why register with ECSA?Currently engineers appointed on Mines and Works are protected by the possession of a GCC. They would not be able to practice in the public domain unless they were registered with ECSA. It is possible and likely that some day soon, the CBE will publish their IoEW regulations which will make registration mandatory for all engineers involved with engineering work. This includes non appointed engineers giving advice and involved with designs and projects.

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Eligibility to register with ECSAEngineers with a Mines and Works GCC and three years’ post GCC experience are eligible to register as Professional Certificated Engineers (Pr. Cert. Eng.). This is subject to having at least one year experience as an appointed engineer under regulation 2.13.1 or 2.13.3.1 and two referee reports vouching for the candidate’s professional conduct. The fees are usually paid by your company.For Managers, a 2.6.1 or 3.1 (a) appointment is required.Engineers with OH&S Act GCCs require 2.1 or 2.7 (a) appointments

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What is required to apply for registration?

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What is required to apply for registration?

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General Information

General name, address, ID no.,employer, positionand contact details.

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Tertiary levelqualifications

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General InformationGCC details

Legal appointments

Previous registration?

VA membership

Referees

Fees paid?

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Summary of post GCC experience

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Training/Experience reports

Dates when position was held

Legal appointment and which act no.

Position title

Supervisor’s name and signature

Brief description of duties

Staff and budget

Organogram showing position

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Referee reports

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Personal knowledgeof candidate whenlegally appointed

Referee’s personalAssessment per ECSA outcomes

Referee’srecommendation

Declaration andproof of referee’sregistration

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Pre-registrationProfessionalDevelopment

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Registration with ECSAis EASY!

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Continued Professional Development (CPD)

In order for engineers to maintain their ECSA registration, they need to provide proof that they are keeping up with developments in their field. There are three categories –

Developmental Activities – seminars, courses, training etc.Work based activities – engineering work and mentoringIndividual activities – member of VA, presenting papers, articles etc.

Points are awarded per category and a minimum of 5 points per year are required. Every registered engineer’s CPD is reviewed every five years.

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Voluntary Associations

In 2006, ECSA introduced the concept of Voluntary Associations (VAs). These are associations such as the AMRE, SACEA, ICMEE, SAIMM etc. who represent the interests of a specific field or discipline of Engineers. VAs have the authority to award CPD points for seminars, conferences and training courses. Membership of a VA awards one CPD point.The AMRE is a VA and hence are eligible to have a seat on the Council of ECSA. To qualify for VA status, 50% of members must be ECSA registered. If we do not achieve this, we will lose our VA status and the interests of the 650 engineers in the hard rock mining industry will not be represented.

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You are an EngineerTherefore you are a professional personRegister now to show your support for your profession!