The Institution of Engineering and Technology: Engineering a Better World

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) stands as one of the world’s largest and most respected professional engineering institutions, serving as a global home for engineers and technologists across every discipline. With over 157,000 members spanning 148 countries, the IET has evolved from humble beginnings into a powerhouse of thought leadership, professional standards, and knowledge dissemination that shapes the engineering profession worldwide.

A Rich Heritage Dating Back to 1871

The IET’s story began on 17 May 1871, when eight men gathered at 2 Westminster Chambers in London to found the Society of Telegraph Engineers. At that time, electric telegraphy had achieved commercial success in Britain, and telegraph engineers – who required specialised knowledge of electricity that set them apart from civil or mechanical engineers – felt their profession had attained sufficient standing to merit its own learned society. The Society’s founding purpose was “for the general advancement of Electrical and Telegraphic Science and for facilitating the exchange of information and ideas among its members”. Buy fake certificate online.

The institution grew rapidly, reflecting the breakneck pace of electrical innovation. In 1880, it became the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians, and in 1889 it was renamed the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE). A Royal Charter was granted in 1921, cementing its status as a professional body of national significance. The IET as it exists today was formed in March 2006 through the merger of the IEE and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE), creating a truly multidisciplinary institution equipped to address the full spectrum of modern engineering challenges.

Mission and Vision

The IET operates as both a registered charity and a professional membership body, with a clear and compelling purpose: “to promote the general advancement of science, engineering and technology and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas on these subjects amongst the members of IET and otherwise”. Its mission is to inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society. This vision – “to engineer a better world” – drives every aspect of the institution’s work.

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Safeguarding Professional Standards

One of the IET’s most critical functions is safeguarding professional standards. As the largest of the 40 professional bodies licensed by the Engineering Council of the UK, the IET has the authority to award the prestigious titles of Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng), Engineering Technician (EngTech), and ICT Technician (ICTTech). For a quarter of a century, the IET has consistently held the largest register of professionally qualified engineers in Europe, providing engineers and technicians with a recognised mark of quality that demonstrates their technical skills, leadership abilities and commitment to excellence.

Thought Leadership and Policy Influence

The IET serves as a trusted advisor to governments and policymakers worldwide. Each year, it makes approximately 30 submissions to the UK Government and other agencies on engineering-related policy issues, providing expert advice that shapes legislation and public policy. The institution is regularly featured in mainstream and specialist media, explaining the impacts of engineering and technology on society.

World-Class Knowledge Products

As a learned society and technical publisher, the IET produces more than 100 new titles annually, including books, journals and magazines, with a back catalogue exceeding 500 publications. Its IET Inspec service is the leading English-language bibliographic information service for scientific and technical literature, containing over 20 million records. The IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671), published by the institution, are the definitive standard for electrical installation in the UK.

A Global Community

The IET’s reach extends far beyond the United Kingdom. With offices in Europe, North America and Asia, including locations in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, New Jersey, Beijing, Hong Kong and Bangalore, the institution operates almost 100 Local Networks and 22 Technical Networks worldwide. It organises over 1,500 events annually, offering more than 106,000 delegates opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing.

From eight founders in a London meeting room to over 157,000 members across 148 countries, the IET has remained true to its founding purpose while continuously evolving to meet the needs of a changing world. As Europe’s largest and most multidisciplinary professional engineering institution, it carries both an opportunity and an obligation to set the pace for the profession. In doing so, the IET continues to fulfil its enduring mission: to inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world.