Myth busting – Is CIHT for me?

29th May 2025

Many transport professionals question whether joining a professional membership body is for them and typically are unsure about their eligibility or if their job role is appropriate for them to join. The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) is working hard to bust those myths and demonstrate reasons for you to get involved with us

Get ahead with CIHT Membership

Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT.  We are  committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career

Find out more

Highways and transportation sector professionals are looking for ways to advance their career and enhance their professionalism. Becoming a member of a professional body is an idea way of achieving this and gaining professional development as well as a supportive network.  

  

Myth 1: CIHT is only for engineers 

Fact: CIHT welcomes professionals from all areas of transportation and infrastructure. 

  CIHT is committed to inclusivity and values diversity across the sector. Our values—professionalism, inclusivity, collaboration, and progressiveness—are at the heart of everything we do.

Working in transport offers the opportunity to shape the environments where we live, work, and enjoy leisure time. With emerging career paths in sustainability, green infrastructure, smart mobility, and digital highways, CIHT provides training, professional development, and a supportive network to help you build and nurture your career in highways and transportation. CIHT is a welcoming membership organisation and respects and values diversity and inclusivity. We aim to live our values which are based on being professional, inclusive, collaborative and progressive. 

   

Myth 2: Membership is too expensive

Fact: CIHT offers affordable options tailored to different career stages. 

Students, apprentices, and emerging professionals benefit from discounts, and the value gained - networking, resources, and development - outweighs the cost. We also offer concessionary rates. Graduates can join CIHT for three years post study and pay around £1.50 a week. Retired members benefit from similar discounts.  

A professional membership is an investment in yourself and your career. CIHT membership offers you 365 days a year of training opportunities, professional development and industry intelligence. For the price of a weekly cup of coffee; and if you’re eligible, you could be a full member of CIHT. 

Try membership on a pro rata basis. Join after January each year and pay only for the months you are a member. Check out the 

  

Myth 3: You need extensive experience to join

Fact: CIHT supports professionals at every career stage and has a membership grade for everyone  

Whether you’re studying, a recent graduate, a seasoned expert, or are passionate about transportation and working in a related field, CIHT has a membership grade that fits your needs. 

   

Myth 4: Membership is just about looking good on your CV. 

Fact: CIHT membership provides real benefits. 

CIHT membership is widely recognised in the transportation and infrastructure sectors. It shows a commitment to your professional development and provides opportunities to enhance skills, expand your networks, and stay informed about industry trends. Membership offers more than just a credential for your CV – it provides real, tangible value in professional and personal growth. Being active in CIHT enhances your credibility, builds relationships, and opens doors to new opportunities that go beyond just looking good on paper. 

   

Myth 5: Membership makes you chartered automatically. 

Fact: Membership and chartership are separate. 

Membership offers different benefits to Chartership with the engineering council. Members can choose to pursue chartered engineer status and CIHT can help you become professionally qualified or welcomes those who hold their chartership with other membership bodies. Being a member is a gateway to resources and support that can support you on the journey, but it is not a requirement. 

   

Myth 6: You need a degree to join

Fact: A degree isn’t a requirement for most CIHT grades. 

For CIHT membership we welcome those from all backgrounds, and, except for the Graduate grade, a degree is not a pre-requisite of CIHT membership. Your membership application will focus on your work experience to date. 

CIHT will always take your work experience into account when you apply for membership.

  Entry criteria  Years of experience  
Apprentice 

Enrolled on an apprenticeship scheme 

N/A 

Student  Full or part-time student 

N/A 

Graduate  Degree 

Less than three years 

Associate   No degree 

Less than three years 

Associate  Working in an aligned professional role 

N/A 

Member  Working in the sector 

More than three years 

Fellow  Senior and influential role 

More than two years 

  

Myth 7: Membership of another professional body excludes you

Fact: CIHT welcomes members of other professional organisations. 

Many CIHT members belong to multiple bodies, enriching their professional growth. Many employers will fund more than one professional membership. It is worth enquiring with your training department or manager if this is the case at your workplace.  

Funding your own professional membership is an investment in your professional development and career success. 

  

Myth 8: It’s only relevant in the UK

Fact: CIHT has a global reach and international standards. 

With members and groups worldwide, CIHT is relevant wherever you work. Join the CIHT online community CIHT Connect and converse with other members around the world. CIHT has active member groups in many locations around the world including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai and Ireland. New member groups are due to open in other geographical areas. Find out more from our membership team. 

If you’re interested in becoming a member please complete our membership enquiry form

If you want to stay in touch with our news and updates register your interest here

For any other enquiries contact our membership team: membership@ciht.org.uk 

Comments on this site are moderated. Please allow up to 24 hours for your comment to be published on this site. Thank you for adding your comment.
{{comments.length}}CommentComments
{{item.AuthorName}}

{{item.AuthorName}} {{item.AuthorName}} says on {{item.DateFormattedString}}:

Share
Bookmark

Get ahead with CIHT Membership

Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT.  We are  committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career

Find out more