Delegates at the IRTE Conference
About Us
Incorporating the three Professional Sectors, IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), IPlantE (Institution of Plant Engineers) and BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) is a professional membership organisation, representing some 15,000 individuals and companies within the transport, plant and engineer surveying industries. By supporting and mentoring individual members and the wider industry, SOE encourages best practice, promotes health & safety initiatives and is committed to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of its members. IRTE pioneered and operates the irtec licensing scheme, a renewable voluntary testing and assessment scheme, certifying the theoretical and practical skills of heavy goods, light commercial vehicle and PCV technicians. The scheme is fast becoming the benchmark for technician competence and is respected throughout industry. SOE also produces the IRTE Skills Challenge, a competition highlighting and celebrating the skills of bus and coach technicians. SOE’s trading arm, IRTE Services Ltd, is a partner in the Commercial Vehicle Show (CV Show) and the Commercial Vehicle Operator Show, alongside the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The CV Show is one of the most important events in the transport and logistics calendar, and one of Europe’s largest commercial vehicle exhibitions.