This Competency Model for Oral Interview is closely referenced to the UK Standard for
Professional Engineering Competence (UKSPEC), specifically on the Competence and
Commitment Standard for Chartered Engineers.
Corporate Members of IEM and Professional Engineers should demonstrate:
The theoretical knowledge to solve problems in new technologies and develop new
analytical techniques.
Successful application of the knowledge to deliver innovative products and services and/or
take technical responsibility for complex engineering system
Accountability for project, finance and personal management and managing trade-offs
between technical and socio-economic factors.
Skill sets necessary to develop other technical staff.
Effective interpersonal skills in communicating technical matters.
Personal commitment to professional standards.
This IEM Competency Model consists of eighteen Competency Elements and Standards
grouped under five Competency Categories. The Model demonstrates the underpinning
knowledge and understanding of engineering fundamentals, application abilities, leadership
and management skills, interpersonal skills, and personal commitment to the profession that
must be demonstrated in order to practice professionally. The Competency Elements are used
as the basis for assessing Applicants who apply to sit for the Professional Interview conducted
by the IEM. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of competence against each of
the eighteen Competency Elements. The evidence is to be drawn from their work experience,
specifically as they have encountered engineering problems or engaged in engineering
activities.
Page 1 of 6
IEM PI 0100
A1
PI Candidates will have progressed from the formal educational base to having the breadth
and depth of knowledge, understanding and technical skills necessary to exploit new and
developing technologies from their own and allied fields. They should be able to identify
their own personal limits, strive to extend their own technological capability and broaden
and deepen their own knowledge base through new applications and techniques.
A2
PI Candidates will have the ability to use their knowledge base and experience as the basis
for the creative or innovative development of technology, products or services. They will
also use their knowledge and understanding to improve products or services.
Apply engineering knowledge related to local practices, codes, standards,
specifications,
A3
materials,
products,
environmental
plans
and
other
consultants, contractors,
Page 2 of 6
IEM PI 0100
B
B1
PI Candidates will have identified and reviewed new opportunities within their field, using
creative problem solving methodology. They have been involved with or led marketing,
tendering and specification for new products or systems; They will have devised action
plans, targets and schedules to bring projects to maturity.
B2
PI Candidates will have carried out theoretical or applied research to evaluate potential
options, considering cost, resource, safety and environmental implications. They will have
produced concept and finalised engineering design, presented proposals and gained
approvals. This may involve the application of cross disciplinary techniques, technology
and unusual methods of working.
B3
PI Candidates will have implemented the design strategy through to final solution, and
devise and apply appropriate criteria for monitoring and evaluating progress and outcomes.
They will ensure that design performance, cost benefit and project milestones are met or
devise appropriate measures or design modifications. They will carry out a project review,
assessing the performance against the original specification, using the results to improve the
future design process and build into established procedures.
Page 3 of 6
IEM PI 0100
C1
PI Candidates plan projects using an understanding of the drivers and objectives of the
business or organization involved. This requires the ability to define and agree work
objectives, estimate timescale and resource requirements, both human and material, identify
plan deviations and take necessary corrective actions.
C2
Plan, budget, organise, direct and control tasks, people and resources.
PI Candidates, using an understanding of the drivers, objectives and work plans of the
business or organisation involved, will prioritise and manage the use of available resources.
This requires the capability to manage their personal time, and that of any staff for which
they have full project responsibility, general or project budgets, facilities and contractor
resources under their control.
C3
Lead teams and develop staff to meet changing technical and managerial
needs.
Page 4 of 6
IEM PI 0100
Interpersonal skills are to be assessed in three areas: general communications at all levels:
presenting and discussing proposals; and people skills. These skills are of increasing
importance in modern engineering practice, and ideally a good engineer will be highly
competent in all aspects.
D1
PI Candidates will have written and oral skills enabling communications in English or
Malay with a wide range of customers and suppliers, peers, seniors and juniors within and
outside their employing organisation at all levels. They should be able to contribute to,
chair and record meetings and discussion and exchange information with technical and nontechnical colleagues in a clear and concise manner.
D2
It is important that PI Candidates can present proposals for work programmes and projects
in a clear and authoritative manner, and be persuasive when discussing details, variations
and implementation. They should be able to prepare and deliver appropriate presentations
and manage debates with audience of either engineering or non-engineering background.
D3
PI Candidates will be able to create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships
and resolve conflict. They must be able to apply diversity, be non-discriminatory, confident
and flexible in dealing with new and changing interpersonal situations. They should know,
and manage their own emotions, strengths and weaknesses, and be aware of the needs and
concerns of others.
Page 5 of 6
IEM PI 0100
PI Candidates will be able to show how they comply with the rules of professional conduct
and manage their work within all relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks, including
social and employment legislation.
E2
PI Candidates must be able to identity and take responsibility for their obligations for
health, safety and welfare issues. They should be able to manage systems that satisfy health,
safety and welfare requirements, and implement appropriate hazard identification and risk
management systems.
E3
PI Candidates should operate and act responsibly, taking account of the need to progress
environmental, social and economic outcome simultaneously. They should also understand
and encourage stakeholder involvement in sustainable development.
E4
PI Candidates must be able to understand relevant legal matters that are related to the
engineering work and services. They must possess knowledge on overview of laws having
relevance and impact on the practice of engineering professional services. With the legal
knowledge, they should be able to communicate effectively with legal personnel on these
legal issues.
Page 6 of 6