Institution of Railway Signal Engineers - Introduction & Professional Development by Colin Porter, Chief Executive

What is the IRSE? Professional Engineering Institution – Founded in the UK in 1912 but operates throughout the world a Registered charity & a Company limited by guarantee. Governed by The Council elected from the membership, by members

The IRSE Purpose (Extract from IRSE Memorandum of Association ) “The advancement for the public benefit of the science and practice of signalling (which shall mean the whole apparatus, electrical, mechanical or otherwise, methods, regulations and principles whereby the movement of railway or other traffic is controlled) by the promotion of research, the collection and publication of educational material and the holding of conferences, seminars and meetings. The maintenance of high standards of practice and professional care amongst those working within the industry and the promotion of improved safety standards for the protection of the general public.”

The IRSE Purpose Or more concisely:- “The IRSE is the international professional engineering institution for railway signalling and control systems engineers and allied disciplines. It exists to promote interest, understanding and learning in the technology and practice for railway operation and the control of trains for all types of railway.”

Sections Non-UK sections in Australasia, Southern Africa, North America, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Netherlands, Indonesia, Malaysia and Switzerland Potential new sections being developed in Ireland, Thailand, Middle East and North Africa and China Local UK sections in York, Glasgow, Midlands & North West, Western, Plymouth, Minor Railways Younger Members section – sponsored 10 bursaries to YMs from around the world to attend technical convention in France in June 2014

What we do Rely on Volunteers Full programme of meetings and visits in every section around the world. In London we arrange:- -6 main technical lectures in London -2 technical visits per year, one UK, one non-UK -2 seminars per year. Major technical conference (ASPECT) every 3 or 4 years. Annual technical convention in India, 2011 in Singapore/ Malaysia, 2012 in London, 2013 Sweden, 2014 France, 2015 will be in Australia. Professional examination run in centres across the world in October IRSE News 11 times/year Annual proceedings of technical papers Provide advice and comment to government departments when asked

Membership Numbers Total 5200 members – steady growth (3100 in 2003)

Membership location 2600 members in UK – fairly static 2600 based outside UK – growing -800 Australia & New Zealand -500 India -480 mainland Europe -170 Hong Kong -33 China -100 Africa -85 North America -Rest spread around the world (total 51 countries)

What we do for individuals Provide a framework for technical and professional development and learning Provide recognition of competence and achievement by a peer group and with Engineering Council registration Provision of learning material and study groups Provide a neutral home for discussion with members from other companies and railway administrations Opportunities to see techniques and systems from other networks, suppliers and countries Cover wide range of systems from the oldest to the newest

Licensing Scheme Operates at arms length from main institution Non-profit making activity. Has to cover its own costs Set up in 1994 at request of and with financial support from British Rail, LUL and RIA Competence assurance scheme that complies with ISO17024 and is accredited by UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) IRSE publishes competence standards IRSE approves and audits assessing agents who carry out assessment process (about 25 AAs) IRSE approves competence assessors who work for assessing agents IRSE checks assessments and issues licences via assessing agents Around 6000 licence holders in the UK, Hong Kong, Australia and India.