THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SYDNEY DIVISION OF ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA
APRIL 2012
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Flying the Flag Sydney Division Key Sponsors Engineers Australia is the foundation of the engineering profession in Australia, and has an underpinning and supporting role to play throughout the career pathway of every engineer – from inception in primary and high school, through formation during tertiary education and early work experience, through to consolidation during engineering practice and specialisation development. Improving the transparency and understanding of this engineering career roadmap will help us to better focus our involvement and contribution towards achieving the primary purpose of our institution – that is, to advance the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community. We all have a role to play. As part of its role, Engineers Australia is directly involved in the accreditation of courses which lead to engineering qualifications across all occupational membership categories, which include Professional Engineer, Engineering Technologist and Engineering Associate (formerly known as Engineering Officer). It is logical then to recognise that the educational institutions involved in delivering these qualifications provide a point-of-contact or hub for engineers to engage with the profession. In a similar way, professional and industry associations involved in the engineering profession, and employers of engineers, also provide a variety of physical engagement locations throughout NSW. So, while facilities are available at the Sydney Division Office in Chatswood to hold a variety of engagement activities, opportunities exist to develop similar meeting points or Engineering
Hubs wherever suitable facilities are available to host an engagement need. While websites and social media have enhanced our ability to communicate and collaborate, faceto-face gatherings remain an essential element of our engagement activities. For me, as a Professional Engineer I choose enthusiastically to be a member of Engineers Australia and to contribute wherever I’m able towards the engineering profession. Membership is the entry point to effective participation and contribution within the engineering profession. We, the engineers, are the engineering profession. With Engineers Australia at the core, as a profession we are only as effective as the members, volunteers and staff determine. My encouragement therefore is to improve the visibility of Engineers Australia throughout our engagement activities and meeting points, in recognition of the engagement framework that Engineers Australia provides the engineering profession. Where are your local Engineering Hubs, and how can you fly the flag for Engineers Australia and the engineering profession? Brendyn Williams, BE(Civil)(Hons) MIEAust FIPWEA President, Engineers Australia Sydney Division