SOE's specialist sector for road transport engineers
As a Professional Sector of SOE, IRTE promotes best practice, compliance and excellence in vehicle maintenance, playing a vital role in road safety, workforce development and the future of the road transport industry.
The IRTE Professional Sector Council (PSC), who are all elected by members, work tirelessly to represent the voice of members, improve engineering standards and issue relevant guidance on new legislation and best practice.
The IRTE PSC is currently working on the following initiatives:
- Trialling, with DAF, fast track irtec licensing to help bridge the skills gap
- Pioneering the IRTE Skills Challenge to highlight the great work in the PSV and HGV industry
- New technical guidance for waste management vehicles
IRTE is also the pioneering force behind the irtec and IRTE Workshop Accreditation schemes. These schemes are recognised as the minimum industry standards for both technicians and the workplace in which they operate.
Who can join IRTE?
IRTE members range from first job apprentices right up to depot managers, chief engineers, and general managers of haulage firms or bus franchises.
You can find transport engineers maintaining and managing:
- Buses and coaches
- Heavy goods vehicles
- Heavy mobile plant & materials handling equipment (MHE)
- Large specialist vehicles
- Light commercial vehicles
- Trailers
Recent SOE News
Why join our IRTE Professional Sector?
SOE members who join our IRTE Professional Sector unlock a range of exclusive benefits.
Connect with a community of engineer surveyors and access peer support and mentoring to help you develop and progress in your career.
Access Operations Engineer and Transport Engineer, SOE’s industry magazines, featuring trends and insights, industry news and more.
Read the minutes from recent IRTE PSC meetings.
Hear from our members
I have been a member of Cornwall Centre IRTE for 30 years and very privileged to be Honorary Secretary for the past 23 years. In my time with the IRTE I have visited many great places, organisations and manufacturers and received brilliant presentations from numerous professionals delivering transport and engineering related topics. None of these great experiences would ever...
I regard my SOE membership as an essential and valuable part of my professional credentials.
SOE membership gives me the confidence to take on exciting challenges, and reinforces my professional knowledge and credibility.
Join the SOE today and unlock exclusive benefits and a network of industry support.
SOE Professional Sector FAQs
Have questions about SOE’s Professional Sectors? Find answers here about benefits, membership and more.
- What are the SOE Professional Sectors?
The SOE Professional Sectors bring together engineers and technical professionals working across a range of industries. Each Professional Sector supports its members by providing CPD opportunities, hosting events and networking opportunities, and issuing technical guidance and support.
- Which Professional Sector should I join?
Explore each of our different Professional Sectors, BES, Environmental, IPlantE, IRTE, and Operations, to see which align best with your career and industry experience.
- Can I belong to more than one professional sector?
If your role spans multiple disciplines, you may be able to engage with more than one sector to broaden your knowledge and professional network.
- Do I need to be an SOE member to join a sector?
Yes, Professional Sectors sit within SOE membership. Joining SOE gives you access to your chosen sector alongside wider member benefits, including professional recognition, CPD support and industry resources.
- What types of SOE membership are available?
The SOE offers a range of membership grades, including Member, Fellow, Associate, Apprentice, Graduate, and Student. Each is designed to reflect different career stages and levels of experience, helping you join at right point and progress over time.
- How do I become a member of SOE?
Once you have determined which SOE membership grades aligns with your career stage, you can join online here.