At its final 2023-2024 meeting, the ICE Council discussed apprenticeships, infrastructure engineers and engaging members with the ICE’s policy activities.
In my final meeting as chair of the ICE Council I was delighted to welcome new council members who joined as observers ahead of formally joining in November.
Everyone in the meeting joined me in congratulating Ben Hamer on being elected as the deputy chair of council from November 2024.
Apprenticeships
The ICE’s further learning project manager provided an overview of the processes and standards for apprenticeships.
The focus was on the changes that have recently been made where universities are now offering the end point assessment (EPA) instead of the ICE, with Skills England overseeing the process for England.
ICE decarbonisation update
The trustee for carbon and climate change and co-chair of the Decarbonisation CAB talked through the priorities for 2025 which are:
- PAS 2080
- Providing trusted guidance on low-carbon solutions
- Expanding the Built Environment Carbon Database (BECD) into infrastructure
- Implementing the Low Carbon Concrete Route Map
Andrew Mullholland, chair of the UK Low Carbon Concrete Group (LCCG) and Decarbonisation CAB member then provided a more detailed look at the BSI Flex 350 standard.
This standard is known as the Alternative binder for lower carbon concrete code of practice, which provides guidance on all aspects of using lower-carbon alternatives to regular cement as binding agents in concrete.
Infrastructure Engineer
The ICE directors for membership, engineering knowledge and communications provided a joint presentation on the suite of Infrastructure Engineer qualifications.
In the last year we have qualified three Chartered Infrastructure Engineers and have over 30 in the pipeline, but it was clear that to unlock the potential of this valuable qualification, the ICE needs to increase the reviewer pool.
The directors talked through the work being done to ensure that the ICE is open to all potential new infrastructure engineers. This includes a diversified knowledge programme and messaging that cements the ICE’s position as the home of infrastructure.
Becoming a reviewer is a rewarding way to give back to the engineering community. For more information on how to become a reviewer please check the ICE website.
Influencing policy
The ICE’s interim associate director of policy briefed the council on the role of the institution in engaging politicians and their teams on how to make better strategic decisions.
He focused on how members can contribute to the ICE’s work beyond the Policy Fellow role.
He said members can contribute to the policy development work in a number of different ways, from being part of knowledge networks to attending roundtables and writing blogs.
If you’re interested in writing a policy blog, please get in touch with the team.
To learn more about the ICE’s policy work sign up to the monthly ICE Informs newsletter.
It’s been my honour to chair council over the last year and I’m hugely thankful to the entire membership for giving me an opportunity to serve as your president for 2023-2024.
I’m delighted to be handing that role over to Professor Jim Hall in November.
I look forward to continuing to work with council and all ICE members next year and into the future, integrating nature and people at the heart of infrastructure and together building a sustainable, resilient and inclusive world.
