Qualified Engineer

[melhookv12]

Hi all,

Someone had asked if I could sign their passport for them.
With an NVQ L3 in motor vehicle technology, would I be classed as a qualified engineer?
I don't think I would be, I can't find much via Google.

Thanks

[BT Summers]

I think that they would be looking for a professional person as opposed to a tradesperson.

If your description is classed as a profession then ok.

Some may think that training for a job and obtaining an NVQ is not the same as a professional qualification,

However, I am not sure that there could be ramifications if you signed for the person.

Edited by BT Summers on Sunday 31st January 15:12

[rog007]

Your countersignatory must:

- have known you (or the adult who signed the form if the passport is for a child under 16) for at least 2 years
- be able to identify you, for example they’re a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)
- be ‘a person of good standing in their community’ or work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession.

https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applica...

[StressedDave]

With a NVQ, I'd say no. If you have MIMI (if that still exists - I've been away from post-quali memberships for a long time), then you're a member of a professional body and I'd say yes. Mind you, it's not as though they check these things anyway.

[Dixy]

What a strange situation. Your fitness to counter sign is based on what you do for a living, saying the person who sweeps the street is less trustworthy than the Doctor. Harold Shipman springs to mind.
At the same time the term Engineer is not a protected status, the person who mends the photocopier is an engineer because they did a 2 day course at HP but I am not a Doctor having done a red cross certificate.

[Smiljan]

I've done it several times and my profession is Aviation related. On two occasions I've been contacted and asked for copies of my qualifications and a letter from my employer on company headed paper backing up my job description and title.

There's a long but not exclusive list here but you also have to known the person well not just be a colleague.

https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applica...

of note Doctors are excluded specifically unless they are well know to the passport holder away from just being their doctor.

If being contacted and asked for evidence of knowing the person well and your professional status is a concern just turn them down and they'll have to find someone else.

On one occasion I did it for my friend of over 20 years who had remarried and had twins. One of the twins passports went through straight away but the other I got questioned about how I knew them and what my professional status was.

Edited by Smiljan on Sunday 31st January 13:41

[john2443]

When I was Chartered Engineer (C.Eng) I could sign them - I think that was because of being a member of a professional body; having an engineering degree didn't count

[bobtail4x4]

Im a chartered engineer have signed a few

[BT Summers]

Smiljan said:

I've done it several times and my profession is Aviation related. On two occasions I've been contacted and asked for copies of my qualifications and a letter from my employer on company headed paper backing up my job description and title.

There's a long but not exclusive list here but you also have to known the person well not just be a colleague.

https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applica...

of note Doctors are excluded specifically unless they are well know to the passport holder away from just being their doctor.

If being contacted and asked for evidence of knowing the person well and your professional status is a concern just turn them down and they'll have to find someone else.

On one occasion I did it for my friend of over 20 years who had remarried and had twins. One of the twins passports went through straight away but the other I got questioned about how I knew them and what my professional status was.

Edited by Smiljan on Sunday 31st January 13:41

Ruddy 'ell, read the list of acceptable professions, cannot believe that I is one.

[melhookv12]

Thanks for all the replies.
Technically it doesn't look like I can sign it then.

[sutts]

I understand that any ‘key worker’ is of sufficient standing to do this now.

[bristolracer]

a pub landlord/landlady can do it for you
(the one who has their name over the door)

[bobtail4x4]

basically the person has to be traceable.

I was told they need to be able to google you??

[GroundEffect]

I pay my £200 a year to the IMechE with seemingly no benefit. When do I get to sign st

[ARHarh]

Funeral director is on that list. You don't need any qualifications to be a funeral director, don't even need to belong to a trade organisation.

[Tlandcruiser]

Although that list is not exhaustive, it states ‘could’. The list has a wide range of professions.

My job is not on the list, but If would be fine if someone was to check.

[anonymous-user]

A neighbour asked me to sign hers
I didn’t give the qualification a second thought!
Nobody called