Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) experience increase in membership and application for professional registration

The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (AgrE) is experiencing a high rate of enquiries for membership and a big increase in members applying for professional registration. 

The Covid-19 crisis and the actions to contain it have had a dramatic impact on the UK economy and many other countries around the world, with many companies and Institutions forced to adapt and change the way they communicate with their employees and members. 

Many people are now working from home with video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Teams becoming essential tools for a successful ‘business as usual’ environment. 

“At IAgrE we have introduced a host of new measures to help and support our members in these challenging times.  We are now releasing regular podcasts on topics ranging from soil geography to the benefits of professional registration, said Charlie Nicklin CEO of IAgrE.” 

“We are also holding lunch time technical lectures on-line.  Presenters have included Jim Wilson MD of SoilEssentials talking about Tuberzone Cropcast, a simplified growth model that predicts potato crop yield, and Tim Chamen talking about Controlled Traffic Farming and we are working on a 12 month programme of lectures for 2021,” added Charlie. 

Many of IAgrE’s branch meetings are now recorded and available to the membership via the Institutions’ You Tube channel.  Examples are the Wrekin Branch meeting on the World’s Fastest Tractor and the Northern Ireland Branch Meeting “Developing an Offshore Wind Farm. 

In an environment where many people are sadly losing their jobs becoming professionally recognised can improve your employment prospects. Being a part of the IAgrE family gives members the opportunity to become a registered engineer or chartered environmentalist through the Engineering Council or Society for the Environment. 

“As a Professional Institution we are also here to support our members during this difficult time.  We have an up-to-date jobs page advertising a variety of jobs and studentships on our web site and we have a network of people within our industry that can offer help,” added Charlie. 

The Engineer's 2018 salary survey showed that professionally registered respondents reported a mean average salary of £51,930, compared to £43,914 for respondents who were not professionally registered. Average salaries amongst professionally registered respondents were higher in every industry sector and at every level of seniority.  

“Achieving professional registration can increase a persons’ credibility and career progression and the trend in people wanting to be professionally registered continues to rise confirming registration is an investment in your future,” concluded Charlie.