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In the short term, however, whilst in a competitive economy, we may find that investment in training of existing engineers, many of whom may not hold formal qualifications, or in future engineers via the modern apprenticeship, could have a negative effect upon companies.

Worse still, many existing engineers who wish to gain appropriate qualifications such as City & Guilds find it impossible to do so. The distance they need to travel and the subsequent loss of business that may occur, results in a non-qualified sub culture. To them I would suggest (a blatant advertisement) they contact SITO who can visit them at their place of work.

Such perceptions, be they true or false, may explain why the percentage of apprentice and qualified experienced engineers may appear small, even amongst those with the foresight to train for the future. The main problem may be that we need a level playing field to allow all in the industry be they large or small to compete in a fair, proper and truly professional manner.

This is problem that has plagued British industry in general since the 1960`s, when the decline of the apprentice system began.

And so what may be the answer? Regulation for regulation sake is often used as a counter argument to avoid painful modernisation.

But regulate and modernise we must. If we do not, then the skilled from other European countries will soon be here to replace our unqualified work force.

The industry has missed a chance to make use of European regulations via BS EN50131, in that it would be so simple to adopt and insist in stages that it be fully implemented.

Stage one may well be that of only qualified engineers, e.g. those with JIB & City and Guilds or equivalent, to be allowed to work on monitoring equipment to generate a police response.

Stage two may well be for all new engineers to hold formal qualifications by 2006, and for all others by 2008. If the industry is unable or unwilling to take up such a task, then it may in the end, be up to government and the SIA, to take charge via licensing. Although I see much potential in a licensing system, (as it may assist in reduction of qualified and unqualified cowboys), it may only be implemented when a general perceived need requires it, and avoided by a truly professional industry emerging.

And so I ask the great and the good in our industry to take immediate steps towards modernisation and adopt – in stages if need be – the requirements within European regulations for proof of competence of our engineers.