Once a fortnight our ‘What It’s Like…’ series will interview a member of one of the governance boards, highlighting their work, their role in the Engineers Ireland community and advice for members interested in becoming involved. This week’s interview is with Stephen Fraser, who is part of the Membership & Qualifications Board.
It is the responsibility of the board to to develop, establish and implement the policies, regulations and procedures required for the implementation of Engineers Ireland’s statutory functions and obligations in respect of the membership register and all other matters related to membership grades and registered professional titles of the institution. The participants generally meet monthly.
Volunteering time and interviewing applicants
Stephen Fraser, a civil engineer, has been a Chartered member of Engineers Ireland since 2003. He joined the Membership & Qualifications Board in 2020, having previously been involved in its work, volunteering his time to assess and interview applicants.
Stephen Fraser, Membership & Qualifications Board
“I changed jobs within my company a few years ago, taking on an internal role as quality and knowledge manager," he says. "To better understand the process involved in membership applications and to support my colleagues in achieving professional qualifications, I volunteered with Engineers Ireland to assess and interview applicants to membership.
"Following on from this, I was approached, with the suggestion that I would make a good addition to the Membership & Qualifications Board, and so I was invited to join it. I saw it as a great opportunity to become more involved in the organisation.”
In addition, Fraser notes that an added benefit of being on the board is the associated learning opportunities. “As one of the newer members of the board, I am constantly learning from the existing members.
Good mix of academia and industry representatives
"There is a good mix of academia and industry representatives on the board, and I have found it very interesting to see how the different perspectives interact and serve the membership of Engineers Ireland.
"Seeing ‘behind the curtain’ at Engineers Ireland has also been very insightful and I am hopeful it will help me in my day-to-day work, assisting colleagues in becoming members and acquiring professional titles.”
In Fraser’s opinion, one of main the challenges of being on the Membership & Qualifications Board is ensuring you give yourself enough time to thoroughly review applications.
Time management and project management skills
“Making sure you have the capacity to thoughtfully review each application is key. The applicants put a lot of work into their applications and it is only fair we give each one the time and attention they deserve. Time management and project management skills are central to the board’s work.”
The benefits outweigh the challenges though, and supporting diversification within the industry is very important to Fraser. “Without a doubt, having an opportunity to support the growing diversity within the membership of Engineers Ireland is a big positive to being on the Membership & Qualifications Board.
"At work, we are seeing more and more people are joining the engineering field with a non-traditional or an international qualification, and it is important that this is reflected within the membership of Engineers Ireland.
Important development
"This diversification obviously needs to be strictly assessed to protect the international standing of existing members and their professional qualifications, but it is an important development within the industry.
"I believe increasing the breadth of membership of Engineers Ireland is a win-win for both the organisation and the member, with both learning from each other. Being a member, I can contribute to that.”
Considering his experiences to date and everything he has learnt as a volunteer interviewer – and currently being part of the Membership & Qualifications Board – would Fraser advise others to consider volunteering with Engineers Ireland?
“Absolutely, I would encourage members to get involved. Engineers Ireland is our representative body. We have a voice in the direction it takes. Getting involved in boards, groups and societies, contributing your time and skills, it is a great way to make sure you are part of that conversation.”
The Membership & Qualifications Board is appointed by Council and members sit for a three-year term. Vacancies arise as members stand down having served a term or terms.
Engineers Ireland could not function without the active participation of so many of our members who give so enthusiastically of their time and talents to serve the profession. Further information on the Engineers Ireland Membership Regulations is available here.