Engineering technologist

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An engineering technologist (eTechnologist) is a professional trained in certain aspects of development and implementation of a respective area of technology. Engineering technology education is even more applied and less theoretical than engineering education, though in a broad sense both have a focus on practical application. Engineering technologists often assist engineers but after years of experience, they can also become engineers.[1] Like engineers, areas where engineering technologists can work include product design (including improvement), fabrication and testing. Also as with engineers, engineering technologists sometimes rise to senior management positions in industry or become entrepreneurs.

Engineering technology field often overlaps with many of the same general areas (e.g. design/development, testing) but the focus is even more on application than in engineering field (which is, in a somewhat different sense, also about application of science). Engineering technologists are more likely than engineers to focus on (post-development) implementation or operation of a technology but this is not a strict rule as they often do design original concepts. The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in the USA summarizes the distinction as being that engineers are trained more with conceptual skills to "function as designers," while engineering technologists "apply others' designs."[2] The mathematics and sciences, as well as other technical courses, in technology programs, tend to be taught with more application-based examples, whereas engineering coursework provides a more theoretical foundation in math and science (because those are the very subjects that engineers apply directly). Moreover, engineering coursework tends to require higher-level mathematics, including calculus and beyond, as well as more extensive knowledge of the natural sciences applied in design,[3] which also serve to prepare students for research (whether in graduate studies or industrial R&D). Engineering technology courses generally have more labs associated with their undergraduate courses that require hands-on application of the studied topics.

Nature of workEdit

Engineering technologists are employed in a wide array of industries and areas – including product development, manufacturing, technology operation and maintenance. They may be managers, depending on the experience and educational emphasis on management. Entry-level positions relating in various ways to product design, Product testing, product development, systems development, field engineering, technical operations and quality control are common for engineering technology graduates.

In general, the work of engineering technologists focuses more often on practical application of engineered products and processes for a range of purposes, whereas the work of engineers emphasizes application of math and science for design/development purposes (in ways that tend to require a more extensive theoretical foundation of mathematics and the natural sciences). The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) describes the difference between engineering and engineering technology as follows:

"The distinction between engineering and engineering technology emanates primarily from differences in their educational programs. Engineering programs are geared toward development of conceptual skills and consist of a sequence of engineering fundamentals and design courses, built on a foundation of complex mathematics and science courses. Engineering technology programs are oriented toward application and provide their students introductory mathematics and science courses and only a qualitative introduction to engineering fundamentals. Thus, engineering programs provide their graduates a breadth and depth of knowledge that allows them to function as designers. Engineering technology programs prepare their graduates to apply others' designs."[4]

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) summarizes engineering technology as "the application of scientific and engineering knowledge and methods combined with technical skills in support of engineering activities; it lies in the occupational spectrum between the craftsman and the engineer at the end of the spectrum closest to the engineer."[5]

In addition, ABET has stated: "Engineering and technology are separate, but intimately related professions. Here are some of the ways they differ:

  • Graduates from engineering programs are called "engineers", while graduates of engineering technology programs are called "engineering technologists".

Engineers generally focus more on conceptual design and product development, while engineering technologists are more likely to work in testing, fabrication/construction or field work.[7] Of course, those areas overlap considerably (e.g., testing and fabrication are often integral to the overall product development process and can involve engineers as well as engineering technologists). In 2012, The Journal of Engineering Technology, published results that show "that a very broad range of engineering companies operating across the full spectrum of engineering services and products, baccalaureate engineering technology graduates are operating as engineers. Moreover, these graduates function in many engineering roles equally as well as their contemporaries from engineering."[8]

Education and accreditationEdit

Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, some post-secondary institutions in the U.S.and Canada began offering degrees in engineering technology, focusing on applied study rather than the more theoretical engineering degrees. The focus on applied study addressed a need within the scientific, manufacturing and engineering communities, as well as other industries, for professionals with hands-on and applications-based engineering knowledge. Depending on the institution, associate's and/or bachelor's degrees are offered, with some institutions also offering advanced degrees in technology.

In general, an engineering technologist receives a broad range of applied science and applied mathematics training, as well as the fundamentals of engineering in the student's area of focus. Engineering technology programs typically include instruction in various engineering support functions for research, production and operations and applications to specific engineering specialties.[9][10] Information technology is primarily involved with the management, operation and maintenance of computer systems and networks, along with an application of technology in diverse fields such as architecture, engineering, graphic design, telecommunications, computer science and network security. An engineering technologist is also expected to have had some coursework in ethics.

International technology organizations from eight nations have signed a mutual recognition agreement called the Sydney Accord, which represents an understanding that the academic awards of engineering technologists can be recognized in all signatory states. The recognition of the Sydney Accord for engineering technologists can be compared to the Washington Accord for engineers and the Dublin Accord for engineering technicians. The Engineering Technologist Mobility Forum (ETMF) is an international forum held by signatories of the Sydney Accord to explore mutual recognition for experienced engineering technologists and to remove artificial barriers to the free movement and practice of engineering technologists amongst their countries.

Graduates acquiring an associate degree or lower typically find careers as engineering technicians. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics: "Many four-year colleges offer bachelor's degrees in engineering technology and graduates of these programs are hired to work as entry-level electrical or electronics engineers or applied engineers, but not technicians."[11] Engineering technicians typically hold a two-year associate degree, while engineering technologists likewise hold a bachelor's degrees.



In Canada, the new occupational category of "technologist" was established in the 1960s in conjunction with an emerging system of community colleges and technical institutes. It was designed to effectively bridge the gap between the increasingly theoretical nature of engineering degrees and the predominantly practical approach of technician and trades programs. Provincial associations may certify individuals as a Professional Technologist (P.Tech.), Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.), Registered Engineering Technologist (R.E.T.), Applied Science Technologist (AScT) or Technologue Professionel [T.P.]. These provincial associations are constituent members of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT), which nationally accredits technology programs across Canada through its Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB). Nationally accredited engineering technology programs range from two to three years in length, depending on the province, often containing as many classroom hours as a 4-year degree program.

United StatesEdit

In the United States, the hierarchy of educational structure and acknowledgement start at the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The U.S. Department of Education acknowledges regional and national accreditations and CHEA recognizes specialty accreditations. Two technology accreditations are currently recognized by CHEA: The Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Specifically, CHEA recognizes ABET internationally and in the U.S. for accrediting engineering technology programs at the associate and baccalaureate level. CHEA also recognizes ATMAE for accrediting associate, baccalaureate and master's degree programs in technology, applied technology, engineering technology and technology-related disciplines delivered by national or regional accredited institutions in the United States. (2011).[12]


The Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology was admitted as a provisional member of International Technology Accords in 2007 and it signed the Sydney Accord in 2009.


The publication of the US Department of Education and the National Science Foundation known as Mapping The World of Education indicates that an engineering technologist degree is at the same academic level (60) as an ABET/EAC engineering degree.[13]



A certified engineering technologist is usually required to apprentice for a term before being able to apply for certification through a local governing body. In that time, the engineering technologist must have completed tasks which directly apply to his or her area of study.

North AmericaEdit


In the United States, engineering technologist certification requires a bachelor's degree in an engineering technology program accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ETAC/ABET). One may also obtain a degree from an institution accredited through The Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (formerly known as the National Association of Industrial Technology). Engineering technologist registration in the United States is conducted by many independent societies and organizations. A government-sponsored registration is opposed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and NSPE. As a result, the profession is often not seen as an independent field separate from design engineering.



United KingdomEdit

The United Kingdom has a decades-long tradition of producing engineering technologists via the apprenticeship system of learning. UK engineering technologists have always been designated as "engineers". The term "engineer" in the UK is used to describe the entire range of skilled worker and professionals from trades people through to the highly educated Chartered Engineer. In fact up until the 1960s professional engineers in the UK were often referred to as "Technologists" to distinguish them from scientists, technicians and craftsmen. The modern term for an engineering technologist is "incorporated engineer" (IEng), although since 2000 the normal route to achieving IEng is with a Bachelors or Honours Degree in engineering. Modern technical apprenticeships would normally lead to the EngTech professional qualification and with further studies at higher apprenticeship level an IEng. Since 2015 the UK government (UCAS) has introduced engineering degree (Bachelors and Masters) apprenticeships. The title "incorporated engineer" is protected by civil law. Prior to the title "incorporated engineer", U.K. technologists were known as "technician engineers" a designation introduced in the 1960s.

In the United Kingdom, an incorporated engineer is accepted as a "professional engineer", registered by the Engineering Council, although the term "professional engineer" has no legal meaning in the U.K. and there are no restrictions on practice. In fact anyone in the U.K. can call themselves an "engineer" or "professional engineer" without any qualifications or proven competencies in engineering and most U.K. skilled trades are sometimes referred to as "professional" or "accredited" engineers. Examples are "Registered Gas Engineer" (gas installer) or "Professional Telephone Engineer" (phone line installer or fault diagnosis).

Incorporated engineers are recognized internationally through the Sydney Accord academic agreement as engineering technologists.[14][15][16] One of the professional titles for engineers in the United Kingdom, recognized in the Washington Accord is the chartered engineer. The incorporated engineer is a professional engineer as declared by the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom and the European definition as demonstrated by the prescribed title under 2005/36/EC as an "engineer".[17] The incorporated engineer operates autonomously and directs activities independently.[18] They do not necessarily need the support of chartered engineers because they are often acknowledged as full engineers in the U.K. (but not in Canada or the U.S.).[19] The United Kingdom incorporated engineer may also contribute to the design of new products and systems.

The chartered engineer and incorporated engineer are recognized as broadly comparable in stature, but with separate functions. As a result, the chartered and incorporated engineer are placed under the same directive, 2005/36/EC. The incorporated engineer can practice autonomously without the oversight of a chartered engineer.


The academic requirements must be accompanied by the appropriate peer reviewed experience in employment-typical 4 years post qualification. In addition to the experience and academic requirements, the engineering candidate must have three referees (themselves CEng or IEng) that vouch for the performance of the individual being considered for professional recognition. There are a number of alternative ways to achieve IEng status for those that do not have the necessary qualifications for applicants, that can clearly show they have achieved the same level as those with qualifications, including:

Germany – European UnionEdit

Engineering Technologist/State-certified EngineerEdit

The title 'state-certified engineer BVT' is awarded to qualified engineering technologists[21] (staatlich gepruefter Techniker) by the Bundesverband höherer Berufe der Technik, Wirtschaft und Gestaltung e.V. ("Association of Higher Professions for Technology and Design") or BVT, conditional on two years of professional experience, current BVT membership and payment of an administration fee.[22]

The engineering technologist is a vocational, continuous professional development non-academic but equivalent qualification, awarded after successfully passing state examinations governed by German federal rules. To be eligible for the engineering technologist examination, candidates must fulfill the following requirements: completion of one of the school systems (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium), an apprenticeship of at least two years duration, one year of completed professional work experience and attendance of a taught program with a course load of 2400–3000 hours, usually completed within two years in full-time or 3.5 – 4 years part-time at vocational colleges.[23]

As of January 2012, the state-certified engineer/engineering technologist was allocated to level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework, equivalent to undergraduate degrees (Bachelor's level). Furthermore, the engineering technologist constitutes an advanced entry qualification for German universities and in principal permits entry into any undergraduate academic degree program. The engineering technologist/state-certified engineer should not be confused with academically qualified engineers, which previously graduated from universities as Diplom-Ingenieur (Diploma in Engineering) and following the Bologna process with BEng + MEng degrees.

State-certified technicians/engineers in the EU directivesEdit



European Union law and other documents considered to be public include:

  • Annexes C and D to Council Directive 92/51/EEC on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC[24]
  • EU Directive 2005L0036-EN 01.01.2007
  • ANNEX III list of regulated education and training referred to in the third sub paragraph of Article 13(2)[25]


International engineering technologist (IntET)Edit



The IntET (UK) qualification is open to U.K.-registered incorporated engineers who have met the requirements: seven years post-graduate experience, two years responsibility of significant engineering work and maintaining continuing professional development. Incorporated engineers who do not hold an accredited degree recognised under the Sydney Accord or equivalent academic qualification, are currently not eligible to apply for IntET (UK) qualification.

See alsoEdit

References and notesEdit

  3. ^ "Engineering vs. Engineering Technology". Abet,Inc. Archived from the original on 2014-10-22. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  5. ^
  6. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions – Parents and Students". ABET. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16.
  7. ^ "Engineering vs. Engineering Technology". Department of Engineering Technology and Construction Management, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Archived from the original on 2010-09-06. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  10. ^ Wright, Jr., John (2009). "Venn Diagram Definitions". Archived from the original on 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
  12. ^ ATMAE Scope of Recognition Archived December 31, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Mapping the World of Education: The Comparative Database System (CDS)". Archived from the original on 2007-04-30.
  14. ^ Hunt, S.E. (June 1996). "(GB) United Kingdom". Mapping The World of Education: The Comparative Database System (PDF). 2. National Science Foundation. pp. 365–372. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2005.
  17. ^ "Incorporated Engineer". Regulated professions database. European Commission. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  20. ^ "NotFound | Sheffield Hallam University".
  21. ^ "Der Techniker Englisch | VdT". Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  22. ^ "Unsere BVT-Urkunde im neuen Outfit". Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  23. ^ "Staatlich geprüfter Techniker › Fernstudium & Weiterbildung". Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  24. ^ "EU law – EUR-Lex".
  25. ^