Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2003/First for Navy WO
RAN Warrant Officer gains worldwide engineering recognition
By Navy Personnel and Training
Warrant Officer Stephen Hazell, currently based at Garden Island WA, is the first member of the Royal Australian Navy to achieve Chartered Engineering Officer (CengO) status under the RAN February 2002 agreement with Engineers Australia, giving external national and international recognition to relevant experience and qualifications gained in the Navy.
The RAN has joined forces with the Institute of Engineers Australia (now trading as Engineers Australia) to enhance the development of the Naval engineering team and assist Navy in promoting competent independent practitioners of engineering.
WO Hazell has gained this highly regarded ranking after 22 years experience of Naval training. He was assisted in this process by the Professional Development Program administered by the Directorate of Navy Professional Requirements (Engineering & Logistics) DNPR (E&L) within Naval Systems Command.
It's easy to join the Professional Development Program (PDP). The minimum requirement to join Engineers Australia under the RAN agreement would be to enter with an Associate Diploma or equivalent.
If the applicant is studying for their formal undergraduate qualification they can be enrolled as a Student Member of Engineers Australia. Once the individual has achieved their qualification a certified true copy of their certificate of achievement should be forwarded to DNPR (E&L) who will forward the application to Engineers Australia to upgrade the member to Graduate status.
The Navy pays all associated costs for program participants and in return requires sailors involved to progress their competencies to Chartered status. They also must participate in a minimum of 150 weighted hours of Continuing Professional Development over three years.
These competencies are designed to be obtainable in the day to day running of a technical department or workshop and there is no problem in tackling the elements of each competency individually. During or after the competency log progression the member is required to submit a Career Episode Report (CER).
The reports are submitted in a continuous fashion (addressing elements of competency as they're achieved). The advantage is being able to complete smaller reports without the pressure of having to submit a huge report all at once. Completion of Competency Logs ensures receiving educational qualifications, attainment of Chartered status plus recognition as a competent practitioner of engineering.
All members who are registered on the Navy/Engineers Australia Professional Development Program have the added advantage of assistance from Engineers Australia Accredited Assessors via Career Episode Report writing workshops and the continuous assessment and feedback mechanism provided when submitting Career Episode Reports. The workshops are designed to assist participants on the program in writing their reports in their locality.
It's also advisable to select a suitable mentor to help maximise your professional development. A mentor can provide valuable guidance and assistance, particularly in the preparation of reports describing career experience and claimed competencies.
Attractive financial assistance is available, courses and conferences relevant to the Engineers Australia program and Continuing Professional Development are funded up to the value of $400 per course or conference. If additional funding is needed and justifiable the sponsor may approve extra expenditure.
The nomination forms should be filled out as much as possible by the applicant (personal details and conference/course required) then faxed to DNPR (E&L) A form SA405 is filled out and the expenditure is approved/not approved. You will be notified immediately if not approved. The nomination form is then faxed to the institution with the payment and you are also sent a courtesy copy to confirm payment and nomination.
Information and a joining pack can be obtained from LS Rachel Simpson. ASOMT at CP4-7-132, Campbell Park Offices, ACT 2600, Fax 02 6266 2388, Phone 02 6266 4071 or e-mail rachel.simpson@defence.gov.au
For further information please contact Annie Casey, Navy Personnel & Training, Public Affairs Officer (02) 9359 6286 or 0411 440 583
