Developing Engineering Developing Engineering Competence Competence 

David Salisbury BEng(Hons), CEng, FIMechE, FIGEMProgramme Manager, National Grid Gas Distribution

Bratislava,  18th and 19th of September 2008 1

AgendaMy talk today will focus on:‐

Developments in Engineering Registration in the UK since the 1990’s and the response of the Higher Education Sector.Supply and Demand for Engineering Graduates in the UK.Gas Industry Skills Needs.The development of Competence Based Approaches to Engineering Skill Development

But first…..What does the industry in the UK look like?

Gas Transmission

• 6880 km pipelines

• Up to 85 bar pressure

• 7 terminals

• 26 compressor stations

• Max daily demand 449mcm 7.01.03

Northern Gas Networks

Wales and the West Utilities

Scotia Gas Networks

Scotia Gas Networks

National Grid UK Distribution

Distribution

275,000km

4 Distribution Companies post Network Sales

21 million end users

System demand 130bcm

The Industry?

Offshore

Transmission

Distribution

Utilisation

Producers

Shipper/Supplier/Retailer

Market M

akers

Joint Office/ N

etwork

Code

Transmission

Operator

iGT

Distribution O

perator

Material S

upplier

Material M

anufacturer

Consultant/ S

ervice Provider/ C

ontractor

Utility Infrastructure P

rovider

Commodity Infrastructure Service Provision Equipment

Gas Consumer

Competence in context

Employer

Employee Education Provider

Engineering Formation in the UK

The UK has a long standing Engineering Registration Process allowing registration at three levels:‐

Chartered Engineer CEngIncorporated Engineer IEngEngineering Technician EngTech

Over the years, the qualification requirements and routes to registration of Engineers from all disciplines have changed and evolved and are now captured in what is know as “UK‐SPEC”

“Registration as a professional engineer or technician is open to everyone who can demonstrate competence to perform professional work to necessary standards, and commitment to maintain that competence and work within professional codes” (UK‐SPEC)

= 5 Professional commitment

4 Interpersonal skills +

3 Management/Supervision +

2 Application +

1 Knowledge +

Route to CEng

BEng (Hons) MEng+

Responsible Experience+OR

4 or 5 Year MEng

Supply of Engineers

Total degrees vs Engineering Degrees

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

1994

/519

95/6

1996

/719

97/8

1998

/919

99/0

2000

/120

01/2

2002

/320

03/4

2004

/520

05/6

2006

/7

Year

Firs

t Deg

rees

Aw

arde

d

16000

17000

18000

19000

20000

21000

22000

Total first degreesEngineering Degrees

The Industry?

Offshore

Transmission

Distribution

Utilisation

Producers

Shipper/Supplier/Retailer

Market M

akers

Joint Office/ N

etwork

Code

Transmission

Operator

iGT

Distribution O

perator

Material S

upplier

Material M

anufacturer

Consultant/ S

ervice Provider/ C

ontractor

Utility Infrastructure P

rovider

Commodity Infrastructure Service Provision Equipment

Gas Consumer

The Utility Engineering Challenge

INVEST IN NEW ASSETS

BUILDASSETS

MAINTAIN & REPAIRASSETS

REPLACEASSETS

DISPOSE OFASSETS

OPERATEASSETS

OPTIMISING COSTS, RISKS & PERFORMANCEBalancing conflicting drivers

Cost• Opex • Capex• Repex Performance

• Lifecycle mgmt• Asset stewardship• Service quality

Risk• Safety• Environment

Our skill sets

INVEST IN NEW ASSETS

BUILDASSETS

MAINTAIN & REPAIRASSETS

REPLACEASSETS

DISPOSE OFASSETS

OPERATEASSETS

OPTIMISING COSTS, RISKS & PERFORMANCE

Condition AssessmentNetwork AnalysisRisk AssessmentCapital Allocation

Construction SkillsWorkforce ManagementHighways Management

Asset Management

Terminal

Compressor Station

Compressor Station

Underground Storage

Storage Network Offtake

StoragePressure Reduction

StationGovernors

INVEST IN NEW ASSETS

BUILDASSETS

MAINTAIN & REPAIRASSETS

REPLACEASSETS

DISPOSE OFASSETS

OPERATEASSETS

OPTIMISING COSTS, RISKS & PERFORMANCE

INVEST IN NEW ASSETS

BUILDASSETS

MAINTAIN & REPAIRASSETS

REPLACEASSETS

DISPOSE OFASSETS

OPERATEASSETS

OPTIMISING COSTS, RISKS & PERFORMANCE

INVEST IN NEW ASSETS

BUILDASSETS

MAINTAIN & REPAIRASSETS

REPLACEASSETS

DISPOSE OFASSETS

OPERATEASSETS

OPTIMISING COSTS, RISKS & PERFORMANCE

INVEST IN NEW ASSETS

BUILDASSETS

MAINTAIN & REPAIRASSETS

REPLACEASSETS

DISPOSE OFASSETS

OPERATEASSETS

OPTIMISING COSTS, RISKS & PERFORMANCE

INVEST IN NEW ASSETS

BUILDASSETS

MAINTAIN & REPAIRASSETS

REPLACEASSETS

DISPOSE OFASSETS

OPERATEASSETS

OPTIMISING COSTS, RISKS & PERFORMANCE

The ChallengeHow do we ensure we have a supply of people with the appropriate skills and competence to manage across the range of commercial and technical challenges?

Education?Training?

Is “Competence” an answer?

What is CompetenceFor a person to be competent, they need “qualifications, experience, and qualities appropriate to their duties”. These include:

“such training as would ensure acquisition of the necessary knowledge of the field for the tasks which they are required to performadequate knowledge of the hazards and failures of the equipment for which they are responsibleknowledge and understanding of the working practices used in theorganisation for which they workthe ability to communicate effectively with their peers, with any staff working under their supervision, and with their supervisorsan appreciation of their own limitations and constraints, whether of knowledge, experience, facilities, resources, etc., and a willingness to point these out.”

[The Hazard Forum]

Competence Management Framework

Assessment Criteria

Requirements

Activities

Roles

Performance statements

Knowledge statements

Underpinning Knowledge

Demonstration of workplace skills

Functional safety management

Technical requirements

Competence

What you need to do

What you need to know

The technical range you need to do

it in

Standards from www.osceng.co.uk osceng is the Occupational Standards Council for engineering

ConclusionThe Gas Industry requires a wide and diverse range of skills that cannot simply be categorised as “Gas Engineering”.Higher Education alone will not be able to provide the skills to meet the industry need.A Competence Based approach is proven to develop high quality skills which can be both specific to the business area and transferable, making it:‐

Relevant to the employerValuable to the employee, andDeliverable by the educational establishment