Attribute 7: Professional Commitment
Professional commitment is a cornerstone of civil engineering, distinguishing qualified professionals from their unregulated counterparts.
This commitment is demonstrated through adherence to the ICE Code of Professional Conduct, ethical decision-making, continuous professional development (CPD), and recognizing personal limits. Engineers must exercise sound judgment, balancing technical, financial, environmental, and social considerations.
Engaging in ICE activities and supporting STEM initiatives further showcases this dedication.
This holistic approach ensures engineers maintain and enhance their competence, contributing positively to their profession and society.
Key Targets:
- Understand and comply with the ICE Code of Conduct
- Understand the ethical issues that may arise in their role and carry out their responsibilities in an ethical manner
- Plan, carry out and record Continuing Professional Development (CPD) necessary to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice
- Identify the limits of their personal knowledge and skills
- Exercise sound holistic independent judgement and accept responsibility
“At its heart, engineering is about using science to find creative, practical solutions. It is a noble profession.”
Henry Gordon Stott, 2022
The Breakdown
Understand and comply with the ICE Code of Conduct
HOW DO I ACHIEVE THIS?
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Familiarise yourself with the ICE Code of Conduct and adhere to its principles and standards.
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Apply the Code of Conduct in your work and dealings with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
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Act with integrity, impartiality, and transparency in all professional activities.
Understand the ethical issues that may arise in their role and carry out their responsibilities in an ethical manner
HOW DO I ACHIEVE THIS?
- Be aware of the ethical principles that govern the engineering profession and apply them in your work.
- Identify ethical issues that may arise in your role and address them in a responsible and professional manner.
- Promote ethical behaviour in your organisation and the wider engineering community.
Plan, carry out and record Continuing Professional Development (CPD) necessary to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice
HOW DO I ACHIEVE THIS?
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Develop a personal CPD plan that reflects your professional goals and the requirements of your role.
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Participate in relevant training, seminars, conferences, and other activities to enhance your knowledge and skills.
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Record your CPD activities and reflect on their impact on your professional development.
Identify the limits of their personal knowledge and skills
HOW DO I ACHIEVE THIS?
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Recognise the areas where your knowledge and skills may be limited or require improvement.
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Seek advice and guidance from colleagues, mentors, and experts in the field.
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Undertake training and professional development activities to address any knowledge or skills gaps.
Exercise sound holistic independent judgment and accept responsibility
HOW DO I ACHIEVE THIS?
- Make informed decisions based on evidence, analysis, and professional judgment.
- Accept responsibility for your decisions and actions and their impact on stakeholders.
- Consider the wider social, environmental, and economic impacts of your work and take appropriate actions to address them.
Engage with ICE activities
HOW DO I ACHIEVE THIS?
- Participate in ICE activities, such as committees, panels, and working groups, to contribute to the development of the profession.
- Engage with the wider engineering community through networking, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
“Engineering is not about the glory of building, it’s about the beauty of creating solutions.”
Anonymous, 2025
Summary
In civil engineering, professional commitment means adhering to ethical standards, engaging in continuous learning, and understanding personal limits.
Engineers must balance various factors, including technical, financial, environmental, and social considerations, while participating in ICE activities and supporting STEM initiatives.
This dedication ensures they remain competent and make positive contributions to their profession and society.
