Electronics

[Craig]

[rant]The change to IET was the result of a bungled merger attempt with the IMechE. In the fall out from this the IEE merged with the electrical technicians body (IEEIE), itself a sensible unification of the profession. Alas they changed the name and disposed of any connection with electricity. [/rant]

I'm with you on that, entirely. Back in the mid/late 80's I joined the IEE, which involved me going to Savoy place and meeting two old boys in a room and having a cup of coffee and a nice chat. And that was the process.

I let my membership lapse at some point. Fast forward to about three or four years back, when I just chanced on my old and elapsed membership card. So I though I'd phone up the IET (Ugh), give them my membership number and that would sort it.

Nowt of the sort. There is now a process that involves you giving a history of your "Continued Professional Eductation" and getting a whole host of proposers and seconders. It is more complicated than applying for a job. You know, I just decided that in my late 50's at that time that I (a) did not need another "badge" and (b) even so, I was not prepared to put myself though a process. In any event, my three key references are now all dead.