On Thursday, EKFB hosted our second company-based Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Professional Qualification event at our one of our compounds in Buckinghamshire. The event was open to anyone employed by EKFB regardless of role, working location, or employer, either working towards or to those interested in attaining an ICE qualification.
To kick-off the event, pre-booked one-to-one appointments were carried out by the supervising Civil Engineer from one of our parent companies (Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial and BAM), or with our guest host, Hazel Sanders, an ICE Membership Development Officer for London and South East. The one-to-one sessions provided attendees with the opportunity to gauge the necessary steps towards the qualification, to feel supported on their on-going qualification journey, or to decide if it was the right route for them.
Later in the afternoon, a series of three workshops were carried out simultaneously, each designed to meet the needs of the specific stages in the professional qualification journey.
The workshops were split into three as follows:
 Getting started and how to get your attributes signed off |  Other routes to ICE Professional Qualifications |  Professional Review preparation |
Who is it for? New or recent transferees to the ICE Training Scheme or interested technicians, apprentices, and graduates. | Who is it for? Those who think the training scheme is not the right route for them. | Who is it for? Those aiming to apply for Professional Review in the next 12 months. |
Presentations were led by our EKFB Managing Director Sally Cox alongside Sanders, which discussed the benefits of ICE professional qualifications and membership, opening the floor for our attendees to put their questions to the experts.
EKFB’s managing director, Sally Cox, said: “Five years after graduating I passed my civils and became a charted engineer with the ICE. I remember going to the ceremony and thinking ‘Gosh, I’ve made it’. It’s a lot of work, but you learn so much when you go through the ICE, and you’ve got to demonstrate your capability and gain the valuable experience across everything they are doing - and will help your career in the long run.”
Hazel Sanders, who has worked for the ICE for nine years, commented: “Regardless of what level of education you are at, the ICE is the home for civil engineers. To share knowledge, to learn best practices, and being recognised that you’re good at what you do - is the heart of what the ICE is all about”
As the evening drew to a close, the room was opened up for like-minded employees to network across the trace, making connections to those who are on the same journey towards their professional qualification. Employees also had the chance to speak with Delegated Engineers (DEs), Supervising Civil Engineers (SCEs) from our parent companies, and EKFB’s Senior Leadership Team, to offer guidance and support for those who are thinking about starting their journey with ICE.
We would like to give special thanks to everyone who was involved in making the ICE event a success.