Associate Membership refusal.

[andyrail]

I was considering sitting the exams, it,s would be a lot of work to extend my knowledge to achieve passes in 4 modules but with effort I feel I could have a good go. I,ve read though some sample questions and as a result feel more positive about sitting the exams.
However on reading though the membership application form less so, I am worried that I have learned my signalling knowledge though experience,reading and a general interest in the signalling equipment I,ve installed each working day for the last 15 years or so, rather than formal signalling courses or a university degree.
Also at my low level,( licensed signalling installation team leader), I simply don,t know any IRSE members or fellows who could sign my application form.
I am prepared to do the work but worry that after passing the exams I still would not be excepted for membership.
Please advise is membership not an option for someone like me?

[Peter]

I was considering sitting the exams, it,s would be a lot of work to extend my knowledge to achieve passes in 4 modules but with effort I feel I could have a good go. I,ve read though some sample questions and as a result feel more positive about sitting the exams.
However on reading though the membership application form less so, I am worried that I have learned my signalling knowledge though experience,reading and a general interest in the signalling equipment I,ve installed each working day for the last 15 years or so, rather than formal signalling courses or a university degree.
Also at my low level,( licensed signalling installation team leader), I simply don,t know any IRSE members or fellows who could sign my application form.
I am prepared to do the work but worry that after passing the exams I still would not be excepted for membership.
Please advise is membership not an option for someone like me?

If you are a licence holder why do you not apply for the Accredited Technician grade of member. It is tailor made for the qualifications / experience that you will have for getting your licence. The other option for the purposes of taking the exam is the Associate as opposed to the Associate Member. The associate is for someone who works in the industry but does not have the formal training. See the IRSE site for details of the application forms for the relevant grades.

In terms of getting proposers to support your application, I do not know who you work for, but if they are employing licence holders, I would be surprised if there are no members. For the AT or A grade, you do not need anything above member grade supporters. If you are struggling, let us have some information (either by PM or post here) and we will try to point you in the direction of someone local who may help, alternatively, contact Christine White from the IRSE whose job it is to advise on membership matters.

Peter

[andyrail]

I am already an Accredited Technician member,but to be honest I feel it was as a bit of a freebee as basically it just came along with my last irse re-cert.
Now I see that maybe I,ve been getting ideas above my station.
Thanks for your help, I must consider if merely passing the exams is enough reward for the massive investment in time and effort it would take , don,t get me wrong I know to pass is a massive achievement and have respect for all that have done it or even attempted it.

[Jerry1237]

Have you been refused AM or are you worried that your percieved level isn't sufficient to support an AM application?

I would expect, working in signalling and with 15 years experience plus a license, you should be accepted as AM. The exam normally supports M applications and in itself, isn't a guarantee that you would get in!

I've pasted the text for AM in but remember, these are not rules but guidelines.

Info from IRSE

Associate Member
This grade is for engineers who have normally completed a recognised S&T engineering training scheme and passed the IRSE's examination. Alternatively, they will have satisfied the academic standard required for the Engineering Technician section of the Engineering Council or non-UK equivalent and have experience within the profession, but may not have completed the necessary period for exercising responsibility required for the Member level.

If you wish to meet some Fellows or Members, come to one of the Study Days/Weekends.

[Peter]

I am already an Accredited Technician member,but to be honest I feel it was as a bit of a freebee as basically it just came along with my last irse re-cert.
Now I see that maybe I,ve been getting ideas above my station.
Thanks for your help, I must consider if merely passing the exams is enough reward for the massive investment in time and effort it would take , don,t get me wrong I know to pass is a massive achievement and have respect for all that have done it or even attempted it.

Not at all - passing the exam helps on the route to a higher grade of membership but you will need to demonstrate suitable bredth of experience.

[andyrail]

Thanks all for your advice, I,ve had a think and have decided that I,m going to focus fully on mods 1 and 2 which I intend to attempt at the end of 2013 and not worry about anything but giving myself the best chance of passing.
Whats the soonest I can sign up for the exam? I could do with getting hold of the study pack ASAP, and also I feel it will help me mentally to commit ,then I,ll know there no backing out of it.

[Peter]

Thanks all for your advice, I,ve had a think and have decided that I,m going to focus fully on mods 1 and 2 which I intend to attempt at the end of 2013 and not worry about anything but giving myself the best chance of passing.
Whats the soonest I can sign up for the exam? I could do with getting hold of the study pack ASAP, and also I feel it will help me mentally to commit ,then I,ll know there no backing out of it.

In theory, you should have signed up by now. I think officially the deadline for registering was 30 June, but I have just checked on the IRSE website and it still lets you access the online application.

You will need to be registered with the IRSE website as a member.

[andyrail]

The exams in october 2013 I mean ,not the 2012 exams.

[Peter]

The exams in october 2013 I mean ,not the 2012 exams.

I'm blind, you did say that in your post!

Around April - June is the normal time for registering. (They quote a March deadline but that is for getting your membership application in so that there is time for it to be sorted before the exam closing date. If you are a paid up member this is not an issue.) As you have clearly spotted you do not get the study pack until you sign up for the exams - this is something that has been raised with the IRSE because it puts people off because it appears that you only get six months with the study pack before you have to take the exam, whereas there are students who would prefer to have a longer study period. I am not sure what the thinking is on issuing the study pack now, so it may be worth giving the office a call.

Peter

[Jerry1237]

andyrail:

Are you coming to the Derby study weekend next weekend? (Please excuse my poor English). I would consider taking M3 with M2. They rely on the same principals.

I am sure a study pack can be found if you wish to get on!

Jerry