Quality Assured Copper Boilers

I am pleased to tell you that our customer Helen Stait at Western Steam has just been elected as a Member of the Guild of Master Caftsmen for her range of copper boilers. I believe that she is the first boilermaker to achieve this recognition. Quality is recognized.

Well done girl!

Keith

Congrats Helen

Bob Thomson (BSMEE)

I thought all you had to do to become a member of the Guild of master Craftsmen was give half a dozen referances and then pay the anual fee. At least thats all I've done for the last 15years of being a member.

I'm seriously thinking of giving up membership as some of the members are hardly what I would term Craftsmen such as Florists, cake makers etc. Lately they will basically take anyone who pays the subs.

Not saying that Helen is not worthy of being called a master of her trade though.

J

Edited By JasonB on 19/03/2013 16:56:56

When I read the bit about her in ME, I think she may have just completed her apprenticeship, I thought she would do well, just by her attitude, and ability at that time, seems I wasn't far off, congratulations Helen. Ian S C

Jason, you make it sounds a bit like becoming a Chartered Engineer. Fill in the form, get a couple of people to say nice things about you, pass an interview and then pay the excessive fees every year to add four letters after your name. Back in the 1980's anyone joining the BCS was immediately made a CEng they were so desperate for members.

Shame such memberships are not as widely recognised as having any real meaning, unlike in Academia where you are given an internationally recognised title, for life

(I note that the IET have no problem asking me to provide presentations at their professional events even though I choose not to fund their institution as a member.)

Jo

Thats basically it Dr Jo.

I think Keith is getting confused with the old Guild Halls and worshipful companies of copper smiths and the like.

I used to be a student member of the IEE, but didn't bother to get chartered status. If nothing else it p*ssed me off that the IEE wouldn't count post-grad research as a 'proper' job placement. I've never been asked in interviews whether I was a member of the IEE or had chartered status, so it doesn't seem to have done my career, such as it is, any harm.

Regards,

Andrew

I somehow think there is a world of DIFFERENCE between The Guild of Master Craftsmen [artisans] and an Institution which has a Royal Charter.

Such Chartered Institutions are by definition world class and whose standing allows them to guide and advise at all levels. In the case of the IET mentioned by Jo (above), they are responsible amongst many other things for the Electrical Regulations that apply to all UK installations.

Not stricly true any more. Most decisions for standards are made at the European level now. In the case of electrical standards by CENELEC committees. The IET does of course have a presence on the relevant committee.

Russell (retired chartered engineer)

Professional status has done much to raise standards and recognition in my field.

The big test was when someone with a 'reputation' was refused membership of one institution; long legal battle followed which was eventually won by the institute. It was a widely anticipated test, and the general feeling was that it was passed.

Neil (chartered environmentalist)

Edited By Stub Mandrel on 22/03/2013 11:59:37

Engineering letters might be a delicate subject here in Canterbury (NZ), the building that the most people died was designed and built basicly by an "engineer" who had fraudulently put his letters after his name, I think more will come of this one, Ian S C

Ian,

Surely that is the 'point' opf having letters - people can actually look you up to see if your qualifications are genuine and fraudsters should be easy to spot - especially in now we have the internet.

Neil