Why volunteer?
Volunteering with SOE allows you to give back to the profession while developing leadership skills and expanding your network. From supporting events and reviewing professional registration applications to acting as officers at regional centres across the UK or serving on committees and boards, there are many ways to get involved and make a meaningful impact. We are thankful for the time, dedication and expertise that our volunteers lend to SOE.
Types of volunteer positions
SOE members who have gained Engineering Council or Society for the Environment registration can give back by becoming registration volunteers.
- Conduct workplace assessments for EngTech applicants without the traditional qualification
- Interview and assess IEng, CEng & CEnv candidates
- Mentor IEng, CEng and CEnv candidates through mock interviews and technical reports
- Sit on our Membership and Professional Standards committee
The Trustee Board represents SOE and oversees the strategy and direction of the organisation. Members are generally voted into their roles during annual elections. The board can co-opt specialists for a limited period (if they need expertise in a certain policy area). The Trustee Board meets four times a year and is supported in its work by the Audit Committee, and the board of IRTE Services, which oversees our commercial activities.
Each SOE Professional Sector Council (PSC) is made up of elected members, who are experts in the specialist fields of operations, environmental engineering, engineer surveying, plant and road transport. They report into the Trustee Board and have a specific focus. PSCs meet four times a year and are responsible for liaising with employers to improve standards, releasing or commenting on technical guidance, and ensuring that our members voices are heard in government and by industry.
The Membership and Professional Standards Committee is responsible for admitting members and registrants and approving CPD policies. We also have a military committee, which works to ensure that SOE remains an attractive professional home for engineers across the defence world. The irtec and IRTE Workshop Accreditation steering groups provide technical expertise and listen to industry needs on our accreditation and training programmes, and the IRTE Services Board looks after SOE’s involvement with the Commercial Vehicle Show and any profit–making activities the Society runs.
As well as centres across the UK, we have a dedicated regional office in Hong Kong which serves our 1,800 members there, plus healthy presences in Ireland, Singapore and South Africa. None of this would be possible without our regional volunteers. Regional committees all have at least three members (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) and are responsible for managing their own funds to put on CPD verified events which help the members in their region keep up to date. They also organise awards recognising engineering students, present to apprentice, college and university students, and support SOE’s Head Office team by providing advice to visitors at the many trade shows we attend.
Get Involved
Still have questions about volunteering with SOE?
Find answers to common questions about joining SOE, our regional centres, and how you can get involved with SOE.
- How do I become an SOE volunteer?
Explore the volunteer opportunities here and submit an expression of interest using the form provided.
- Do I need to be a member to volunteer?
Yes, our volunteer roles are open to SOE members. Membership gives you access to our Mentorship Programme, and roles with our regional centres and more.
- How do I become a member of SOE?
Once you have determined which of our SOE membership grades align with your career stage, you can join online here.
- How do I find my nearest regional centre?
Visit our regional centres page to our locations. Each centre hosts events and volunteer opportunities in your area.
- How much time do I need to volunteer?
Time commitments vary by role. Event support may be occasional, while committee or regional officer roles typically require a longer-term commitment.
- Can volunteering help my career?
Absolutely. Volunteering allows you to develop leadership and professional skills, expand your network, and contribute to the engineering community.