The BVT and the European Professional by Graham Guest

Background

The BVT is the Association of higher professions for technology, economy and design or, in German, Bundesverband höherer Berufe der Technik, Wirtschaft und Gestaltung. It was founded in 1974 as the Bundesverband staatlich geprüfter Techniker and in 2005 its name was changed, its field of activity widened to include economy and design, as well as technology, and its development as an international professional body begun. It currently has some 19,000 members.

Members of the BVT in Germany are qualified to the level of Staatlich geprüfter Techniker, Staatlich geprüfter Betriebswirt or Staatlich geprüfter Gestalter, the respective translations of which, authorised by the German Federal Government, are State-certified Engineer, State-certified Business Manager and State-certified Designer. They will normally have completed at least 2 400 hours of relevant formation. It is not always easy to match precisely the qualifications or study-periods of one country with those of another, but the Association's members are distinguished by being competent professionals with a practical orientation. By virtue of their education, training and ex­pe­ri­ence, these professionals have identifiable and measurable knowledge, skills and competence enabling them to work effectively in their field, both independently and as members of a team and, where appropriate, to take responsibility for projects and personnel.

Those wishing to apply for membership should first consider whether their knowledge, skills and competence match the requirements of the BVT as follows:

State-certified Engineers BVT are able to:

• identify, analyse and assess problems in­vol­ving current technology and employ diagnostic methods to solve them, having regard to commercial, economic and environmental factors.

• contribute to the planning, design, develop­ment and implementation of engineering projects by applying appropriate theoretical and practical methods.

• maintain and manage engineering processes and systems efficiently and to optimum stan­dards of quality, whilst taking responsibility for the personnel and resources involved.

• exercise judgement and take appropriate act­ion in dealing with technological and organi­sational change in the context of their profession.

State-certified Business Managers BVT are able to:

• identify, analyse and assess problems involving current business, organisational and financial practices and employ diagnostic methods to solve them, having regard to commercial, economic and environmental factors.

• contribute to the planning, design, development and implementation of business projects by applying appropriate theoretical and practical methods.

• maintain and manage business processes and systems efficiently and to optimum standards of quality, whilst taking responsibility for the personnel and resources involved.

• exercise judgement and take appropriate action in dealing with technological and organisational change in the context of their profession.

State-certified Designers BVT are able to:

• identify, analyse and assess problems involving current design practices and employ diagnostic methods to solve them, having regard to commercial, economic and environmental factors.

• contribute significantly to the design, as well as to the planning, development and implementation, of projects by applying appropriate theoretical and practical methods.

• maintain and manage design processes and systems efficiently and to optimum standards of quality, whilst taking responsibility for the personnel and resources involved.

• exercise judgement and take appropriate action in dealing with technological and organisational change in the context of their profession.

Successful applicants are entitled to use the letters BVT after their name and to apply for a certificate enabling them to demonstrate their registration as a State-certified Engineer BVT, State-certified Business Manager BVT or State-certified Designer BVT.

International Recognition

Registration with the BVT already ensures professional recognition in Germany and, as the Association expands across Europe and the rest of the world, international recognition of its titles will increase. So whether a person stays in one country or travels to others his or her BVT qualification should be recognised.

Such recognition is being achieved by the establishment of a network of representatives in different countries, by promotion and publicity, and by liaison with influential bodies, both governmental and non-governmental, at national, European and international levels. The BVT maintains close contact with decision-makers in the European Union and beyond. It is a strong supporter of proposals to establish a European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and a participant in EQF discussions. One of the main aims of the BVT is to offer a worthwhile qualification with international recognition. This involves working with other organisations in different countries in a spirit of co-operation. An example of such co-operation is the recent signing of an agreement to promote the development of a closer working relationship with the South African-based Institute of Professional Engineering Technologists (IPET).

A great deal of emphasis is now rightly placed on the responsibility of professionals to act for the public good, maintain high ethical standards and be committed to continuing professional development and lifelong learning. In this context the BVT's code of conduct requires registrants to:

• uphold, by their personal conduct and pro­fessional integrity, the honour, dignity and reputation of their profession.

• approach their work ethically and with due regard to the requirements of their clients and the good of the public.

• act in accordance with the highest standards of health and safety.

• commit themselves to furthering their own conti­nu­ing professional development (CPD) and contributing, where possible, to the CPD of others through processes such as coaching and mentoring.

Benefits and Fees

The current annual subscription is €72 for full membership of the BVT, plus a single admission fee of €10. For an additional one-off payment of €50 full members with a minimum of two years' acceptable experience receive a bilingual certificate showing their registration as a State-certified Engineer BVT, State-certified Business Manager BVT or State-certified Designer BVT. The certificate bears the national flag of their country, the flag of the European Union and the logo of the BVT. On the reverse of the certificate is a description of the competence and commitment of State-certified Engineers BVT, State-certified Business Managers BVT or State-certified Designers BVT, so members can easily show, to prospective employers and others, how they achieved their registration.

The BVT organises conferences, seminars and networking events. It also provides advice on employment, and information about European and international developments affecting engineers, business managers and designers. There is a bimonthly technical magazine, tema, and a comprehensive website. At present most of the published material is in German, but versions in English and other languages are being developed. There are already sections of the website in both German and English, and other material, such as certificates and descriptions of registrants' competence and commitment, are available in a number of languages.

Further Information

For more information about the BVT and how to apply for membership please contact one of the following:

Denmark
Erik Jensen, BVT Representative in Denmark (eje@tl.dk)

Portugal and Spain
José Alberto, BVT Representative in Iberia (crralberto@yahoo.com)

Sweden
Lennart Alfredsson, BVT Representative in Sweden (lennart.alfredsson@trr.se)

United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta
Graham Guest, BVT Representative in the UK (bvt@guest.org.uk)

Germany and other countries
Harald Schulte, BVT General Secretary (bvt-online@online.de)

www.bvt-online.de