One in a series of frequently asked questions from North West ICE members on Training Schemes. We advise on what to do if you think your Supervising Civil Engineer (SCE) is not offering enough support.
My SCE isn’t giving me the support I need. What can I do?
Contact your Membership Development Officer. They are available for confidential consultation and can help you and your SCE get your training back on track.
Your training agreement or Initial Professional Development should be seen as a partnership - needing you and your SCE to work together.
Your SCE is expected to demonstrate his/her commitment to your professional development, by:
- Keeping up to date with ICE requirements and good practice in order to give appropriate advice and guidance;
- Providing you with development opportunities (as available);
- Being available - for annual reviews and at other key times – such as in the run up to professional review;
- Holding quarterly interviews - these may be undertaken by Delegated Engineers (DEs), but the SCE takes responsibility for the performance of any DE.
You are expected to demonstrate a commitment to your own professional development, by:
Making the most of development opportunities available to you;
Planning, executing and recording your IPD through each year;
- Arranging quarterly interviews with your SCE or DE;
- Regular preparation and submission of Development Objectives and reports;
- Receiving and reflecting on guidance, advice and criticism offered by your SCE and/or DE;
- Contributing to your Employer’s Training scheme – e.g. supporting colleagues, assistance with administration of the scheme and organisation of training events.
It is essential that trainees take responsibility for their own development – this is part of developing the ability to assume the responsibilities expected of a professional engineer – and SCEs are warned against ‘spoon-feeding’ trainees.
So if you feel your SCE is not providing the support you expect:
- Consider whether your SCE is expecting more of you;
- Initiate a discussion of ‘expectations’ with your SCE;
- If you feel your SCE is unsupportive, unapproachable, never available or appears to be out of touch with current ICE thinking, contact your MDO:
Gillian Elvy (gillian.elvy@ice.org.uk) Covers South Manchester, Cheshire and the following companies in central Manchester: Arup, Atkins, Laing O’Rourke, Mouchel and Waterman.
John Evans (john.evans@ice.org.uk)
Covers Salford, North Manchester and South East Lancashire areas.
Ian Yates (ian.yates@ice.org.uk)
Covers Cumbria, the Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside and in central Manchester, companies with ICE approved training schemes and their trainees not already listed above.
Or book an appointment for a confidential discussion at one of the Membership surgeries held around the region - contact: Janice Parkinson (icecube@ice.org.uk).
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