The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE)

The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) is a professional membership organisation representing more than 18,000 engineers and companies across three professional sectors – IRTE, IPlantE and BES. The Society was formed in 2000 by the merger of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) and the Institution of Plant Engineers (IPlantE). The Society's third professional Sector, Bureau of Engineer Surveyors (BES) was formed in 2004. The Society's aim is "To be recognised world-wide by all of our stakeholders as being the most relevant and professional organisation; continually to deliver best practice amongst engineering individuals and their related companies." The Society promotes safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable operations engineering to the benefit of the community at large, through the support of best practice and health and safety initiatives, a commitment to the professional development of its members and by influencing legislation and design. The Society's IRTE professional sector pioneered and operates the irtec licensing scheme, a renewable voluntary testing and assessment scheme that certifies the theoretical and practical skills of heavy goods and light commercial vehicle technicians. SOE offers its members continuous professional development and support throughout their careers and provides a definitive recognition of status and achievement. The organisation is a Licensed Member of EC(UK) and is one of the few professional bodies which can nominate members for EC(UK) registration at Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) levels. SOE members obtain post-nominal letters, exclusive access to the members only section of the SOE website, free entry to a number of technical events and seminars and receive two regular journals.