Engineering Associate qualifications often have titles that embrace a broad field of engineering, such as Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. They may equally well relate to a particular area of application such as aircraft maintenance, soil testing, marine propulsion, or computer networking.Engineering Associates should have a capability that goes beyond a particular industry training regime, and a generalized knowledge base that allows them to locate their knowledge in the widest possible context and take professional responsibility for their work as fully-qualified members of the engineering team.
Stage 1 competency represents the level of preparation necessary and adequate for entry to practice. A newly-qualified Engineering Associate would be expected to work initially under the supervision and guidance of more experienced Associates or Professional Engineers, while experience is gained. Graduate Associates are encouraged to undertake Professional Development Programs approved by Engineers Australia while developing the practice competencies that will qualify them for Stage 2 assessment and the status of Chartered Engineering Associate.
Stage 1 competency corresponds to completion of a 2-year Advanced Diploma of Engineering or Associate Degree of Engineering (AQF Level 6) incorporating a program of units of competency or subjects approved by Engineers Australia. However, some Engineering Associates will have followed other pathways; for example, successive phases of in-service training early in their career, with later consolidation and broadening of their knowledge to strengthen its theoretical base. It is not expected that candidates will have demonstrated every detail of the knowledge, competencies and attributes that follow; but they must demonstrate at least the substance of each element. Assessment will be made in a holistic way.
Stage 1 Competency Standard For Engineering Associate
The Competency Standard is defined by 3 Competencies:
- Knowledge and Skill Base
- Engineering Application Ability
- Professional and Personal Attributes
Each Competency is further described by Elements of Competency, of which there are sixteen in all. Together, the Competencies and Elements of Competency represent the profession’s expression of the knowledge and skill base, engineering application abilities, and professional skills, values and attitudes that must be demonstrated at the point of entry to practice.