Why is FIDIC offering a Consulting Engineer qualification?
FIDIC, as the international federation of consulting engineers has over 100 years of experience in listening and understanding what the industry needs and finding ways to help engineers, construction practitioners, investment specialists and legal experts to better engage with each other and find solutions to many of the challenges and constraints facing the infrastructure sector. Indeed, when the federation was first established in 1913, the aim was to provide consulting engineers with defined professional standards and assist the member associations and their member firms. FIDIC has also promoted over the years, procedures for the proper selection of consultants and other industry experts.
After the first publication of the FIDIC standard form of contracts in 1957 in the form of the (building and engineering works designed by the Employer) or the Form Contract for Works of Civil Engineering Construction. Today, this iconic publication or as it is more fondly known, the FIDIC Red Book and is now in its fourth iteration.
A consulting engineer is sometimes defined as someone who has expertise in the planning, design and construction of public and private structures, whether for long or short-term projects. This is an expert who can demonstrate the technical knowledge and skills to manage and run an engineering venture. In the context of the engineer with civil, structural, mechanical and electrical experience, it is important that the experience and skills they have are harnessed to help assure the success of the project from the development stage to the execution of the project.
The combination of the knowledge of the on-site management as well as the multidisciplinary nature of the work which must be done to complete the project means that the consulting engineer could play a role in one only component or be responsible for the entirety of the project. Advice and management of the design analysis and the planning of the future structure can assure the best possible solutions and longevity of the engineering process, as well as in the mid-term, its successful completion.
Experienced consulting engineers bring innovative ideas to the table and have the kind of insights needed for the project development and its success. From planning to the rehabilitation of an existing structure or developing strategies to ensure that the end build is more cost effective and sustainable in terms of the materials and way it is built, hiring consulting engineers can make a huge difference to the project.
FIDIC, as the federation of consulting engineers prides itself on the practices, tenets and values it has established over the last 110 years of its existence. These principles and practices were developed by consulting engineers through peer-to-peer consultation, building strong partnerships and engagement and from learning from one another through lessons learn and industry feedback.
As part of FIDIC’s long-standing commitment to capacity building, FIDIC has also been providing training courses to professionals working in the industry. In addition to this, the certification of qualified infrastructure experts has led to growing confidence in the industry. It is a true seal of approval that a certified professional can say to the infrastructure industry that they have been tested and certified by FIDIC and have successfully completed an assessment of their knowledge and skillsets
Through professional development initiatives, FIDIC has been able to empower professionals working in various sectors of the infrastructure industry to learn new skills or hone their existing skillset, and in time, also teach others what they have also learnt. This way, there is a 360° approach to improving the lives of all those working, practicing and benefitting from the industry.
So why does this all matter to you? In today’s fast-paced world, there is more competition. To be able to stand out from the crowd, you must show that you have something that others in your profession do not possess. A FIDIC certification is a good example of this. A certified person can knock on more doors, demonstrate that they not only have the skillset to accomplish their tasks set, but also that their expertise has been verified by the world leader in the construction, engineering and contractual sectors. This is all the more so in the case of the FIDIC Certified Consulting Engineer. FIDIC successfully ran this as a pilot programme in China for several years during which over 1,000 professionals were certified and able to use their credentials in their multilateral development bank bids applications for construction and engineering projects,
To find our more about this certification including the assessment requirements and fees, visit our programme’s webpage and start your application today.
Applications for the FIDIC Certified Consulting engineer programme closes on 19 May 2023. Apply today and showcase your consulting engineering management skills to a global audience.
