Structural
COMPETENCE
1
Engineering
Knowledge
THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY
MEMBERS OF ENGINEERS IRELAND WHO WERE
SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CHARTERED ENGINEER
APPLICATION:
Competence 1.1
Has the candidate maintained and extended a sound
theoretical approach in enabling the introduction and
exploitation of engineering technology and other
relevant developments?
4 describing specific projects from conception to completion
and codes/regulations/theories required to complete
same, with all demonstration founded on actual achieved
results;
4 documenting attendance at CPD courses covering a broad
range of role-specific topics, including additional self-
directed learning;
4 using various structural design software (e.g., Scia, Tekla
Tedds) while working on structural design and attending
training courses on how best to use this software.
Competence 1.2
Has the candidate understood and applied advanced
knowledge of the widely applied engineering
principles underpinning good practice?
4 using specialist software when working on basement
design and as a result developing a deeper understanding
of the geotechnical engineering principles behind
commercial software;
4 demonstrating through examples of projects worked on
how advanced knowledge was implemented, which
showed clear underpinned principles through drawings,
photos and explanations;
4 using a real-world detailed example of a unique project
that demonstrated all aspects of good engineering
practices and knowledge.
While the examples provided are to assist you in your application, it is not a checklist
Competence 1.3
Has the candidate applied creative problem-solving
approaches to their area of engineering expertise?
4 while investigating the potential impact of vehicle
platooning on bridge dynamics, and in discussion with a
consortium and stakeholders, a candidate developed a
model of moving masses, which involved coding an FE
model in MATLAB, which allowed for the investigation of
different variations in mass values, mass velocity and
bridge geometry;
4 overseeing production of structural steel elements, and
developing and improving the efficiency of the structural
steel fabrication process, which included designing a
system of recording the level of production achieved and
the hours per tonne allocated to the different phases of
the fabrication process.
Competence 1.4
Has the candidate promoted innovation
and technology transfer?
4 travelling to sites to learn all about the latest methods for
the repair and conservation of historical buildings;
4 bringing in external companies to give in-house
presentations and organising a training matrix with the
HR department to help management understand training
requirements for the engineering department;
4 encouraging the application of new technology to work-
based practices to streamline activities and ultimately
create safer working environments;
4 working with external contractors to provide solutions for
relevelling homes affected by pyrite and bringing in
companies involved in low-mobility grout, crack repair
solutions and house relevelling to give in-house
presentations.
 Structural

COMPETENCE

2
Application of
engineering
knowledge
THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY
MEMBERS OF ENGINEERS IRELAND WHO WERE
SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CHARTERED ENGINEER
APPLICATION:

Competence 2.1 Competence 2.3

Has the candidate identified potential projects Has the candidate planned, implemented, designed,
and opportunities? evaluated and modified engineering solutions
holistically?
4 identifying key elements of work that were not identified
in subcontractor works packages, and missing and 4 in a project the contractor required all concrete beams to
incorrect information within the design drawings, then change to steel in order to achieve programme
submitting a proposal to the consultant on how the milestones, so the candidate efficiently re-designed the
unidentified elements of work could be incorporated; beams and their connections in agreement with the
4 specifying and reviewing the requirements for testing and contractor;
repair works to concrete elements in existing buildings, 4 when drafting the specification for the anchor system, a
which gave the candidate the knowledge and expertise candidate identified that testing needed to be carried out
when providing structural technical due diligence for on anchors to determine the required embedment length
another project; and ensure certification with the relevant standards;
4 identifying long-term objectives and promoting them 4 implementing a quality control system with a series of
based on engineering principles that enhance projects checks performed daily for each stage of the production
and the surrounding environment. line process and integrating these with the production
schedule programme, which increased production levels
dramatically and allowed the project to progress at a rate
Competence 2.2 25% faster than had originally been forecasted.
Has the candidate conducted appropriate research
and undertaken design, evaluation and development
of possible solutions?
4 developing various tools for faster better-quality design
processes, which included generating failure probabilities
due to long-run traffic load simulations;
4 at preliminary design stage, conducting and procuring
various reports and surveys to inform the decision on the
final solution to be put forward for a scheme;
4 carrying out extensive research on the state-of-the-art
vehicle weight enforcement systems around the world, and
considering different types of systems and different aspects
of the societies in which the systems were in place.

While the examples provided are to assist you in your application, it is not a checklist

COMPETENCE
3
Leadership skills
THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY
MEMBERS OF ENGINEERS IRELAND WHO WERE
SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CHARTERED ENGINEER
APPLICATION:
Competence 3.1
Has the candidate planned for effective project
implementation?
4 before each project, undertaking research to understand
the site and surroundings, highlighting areas which might
be of concern to the client, as well as key challenges;
4 adhering to procedures and policies and attending weekly
structures team meetings to set tasks;
4 budgeting and creating the programme of works
schedule, including assigning particular staff, allowing
each worker to develop specific skills.
Competence 3.2
Has the candidate managed, planned, budgeted,
organised, directed, and controlled tasks, people
and/or resources?
4 invoicing, resourcing, planning, budgeting, and ensuring
internal quality management processes are followed;
4 managing a team of engineers and contractors, and
planning site works by studying design information,
developing a method and sequence of works, and
instructing all parties of their roles and responsibilities;
4 maintaining the flow of work for up to 70 contractors by
monitoring their workloads, checking the quality of
repairs carried out, and providing them with work.
Competence 3.3
Has the candidate developed the capabilities of staff
to meet the demands of changing technical and
managerial requirements?
4 providing one-to-one workshops with other engineers,
and delivering CPD on previous projects with other
engineers who were beginning projects that were similar;
4 training junior engineers up to a level where they became
While the examples provided are to assist you in your application, it is not a checklist
Structural
valuable members of the project team and could carry
out tasks on their own;
4 carrying out project reviews, which involved writing mid-
term and final review reports, drafting budget and
resourcing reports, and estimating the requirements for
the remaining parts of the projects.
Competence 3.4
Has the candidate brought about improvement
through quality management?
4 managing the Building Control Amendment Regulations
(BCAR) process, which involved negotiating the
preliminary inspection plan with the assigned certifier,
issuing the contractor with a material cert and testing
requirements, and negotiating with the contractor and
assigned certifier;
4 implementing a robust quality assurance system for
engineer reports with a peer review system;
4 suggesting changes such as more financial visibility and
cost control over projects, and mentoring graduates to
ensure all competences for chartership are met.
Competence 3.5
Has the candidate been responsible for making
decisions on part or all of complex projects?
4 acting as a reviewer of drawings for a design and build
contractor who employed the architects and engineers,
reviewing the drawings to check for issues with
buildability, errors and to ensure they met the clients’
requirements, and issuing comments to the design team
to resolve issues;
4 making the decision on a project to use concrete piles
rather than a raft foundation as originally proposed,
which resulted in a cost saving;
4 with engineering consultant design teams, conducting
value engineering of projects, which highlighted the
various engineering areas in a project where there were
potential costs and savings..
 Structural

COMPETENCE

4
Communication skills
THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY
MEMBERS OF ENGINEERS IRELAND WHO WERE
SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CHARTERED ENGINEER
APPLICATION:

Competence 4.1 Competence 4.3

Has the candidate worked and communicated
effectively with others at all levels?
4 throughout initial professional development, working with
graduate engineers, design engineers, senior engineers
and directors, and updating project partners on the
progress made and informing them of any potential
issues that may occur throughout the project duration;
4 communicating with clients, design teams,
subcontractors and project team to bring all parties
together and achieve one goal;
4 holding weekly meetings with the contract supervisors
and bi-monthly meetings with the contractors to
communicate the latest health and safety briefings as
well as any other relevant news and issues.
Has the candidate been responsible for
negotiations and building teams?
4 negotiating internal resourcing requirements with team
members as projects develop;
4 completing quarterly evaluations for team members and
personally interviewing each member;
4 arranging events for team members at least four times
per year, which were hugely effective in developing and
maintaining relationships within the team.

Competence 4.2
How does the candidate effectively present and
discuss ideas and plans?
4 presenting on what would be the fastest and easiest way
of organising and managing the information (as-built
drawings and design sheets for the platforms) received
from the client;
4 presenting client stakeholders with phasing plans prior to
the commencement of works which impacted on client
operations;
4 providing an example of the appropriate language that
should be used to convey key information when dealing
with non-technical personnel.

While the examples provided are to assist you in your application, it is not a checklist

COMPETENCE
5
Ethical practice
THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY
MEMBERS OF ENGINEERS IRELAND WHO WERE
SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CHARTERED ENGINEER
APPLICATION:
Competence 5.1
Has the candidate complied with appropriate codes
and rules of conduct?
4 as a member of Engineers Ireland and The Institution of
Structural Engineers, the candidate was familiar with
both Codes of Conduct and acted in accordance with their
principles in everyday work as a structural engineer;
4 taking part in project audits as part of their company’s
Quality Management System certification under ISO 9001;
4 referring to confidential projects by their code names, in
accordance with 1.8 of the Engineers Ireland Code of
Ethics.
Competence 5.2
Has the candidate managed and applied
safe systems of work?
4 regularly reviewing regulations during design projects
and aiming to carry out duties in line with the legislation
and the relevant regulations;
4 producing the design risk assessment at tender stage
and revising it for the construction stage on all projects;
4 planning the commencement of site works by reviewing
method statements and making comments where
necessary, in order for them to comply with safety
regulations.
While the examples provided are to assist you in your application, it is not a checklist
Structural
Competence 5.3
Has the candidate undertaken to ensure that their
engineering work is in compliance with the Code of
Practice on Risk and the Environment?
4 requesting and organising for an asbestos survey to be
carried out on an existing building within a new
development that was to be demolished and for the
contractor to carry out dilapidation surveys on an
adjacent house prior to works commencing;
4 preparing risk assessments and identifying, eliminating
(where possible) and reducing the severity of hazards;
4 attending talks on environmental impact assessments to
be more informed of the procedures in place, and
reviewing the sustainability of products used and the
carbon footprint required to produce and transport the
materials to site with a view to reducing CO2 emissions.
Competence 5.4
Has the candidate ensured their continuing
professional development to maintain the currency of
their professional engineering knowledge and skills?
4 undertaking courses such as ‘Managing Safety for
Construction Managers’, and ‘Project Supervisor
Construction Stage’;
4 such courses enabled the candidate to gain knowledge of
new and current procedures in managing welfare and
health and safety during a project.