Key components of engineering practice - Code of Ethics Review
I continue to be impressed by the well-thought out, reasoned and valuable comment members and workshop participants have provided on the proposed revised Code of Ethics. Ethics is obviously at the forefront of people’s minds in engineering practice.
While there seems to be general agreement about the values and principles reflected in the Code, there also seems to be some confusion and misunderstanding about the purpose of the Code of Ethics. Some members hold the view that the Code should address all aspects of engineering practice.
In my view, there are three key components to engineering practice, with the Code of Ethics being just one of those components. The other two key components are competence and performance. Trying to define these three components in the one document is problematic from both a legal and practical standpoint, especially given that ethics is more subjective in nature, whereas the other two are objective.
The Code of Ethics defines what it means to be a professional and sets standards of behaviour, competence refers to the ability to perform the activities within an occupation to the standards expected in employment and performance is associated with how these activities ought to be carried out or accomplished.
The Australian Engineering Competency Standards provide the basis for assessing and certifying the competency of engineering practitioners. In terms of performance, a number of organisations are involved with defining the attributes of professional performance. In this regard, I have in mind the myriad of standards, regulations, codes etc. under which we work and also the current work of the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering Ltd in developing ‘Professional Performance, Innovation and Risk in Australian engineering practice”.
The Code of Ethics sits alongside these key bodies of work in defining engineering practice standards.
As mentioned in an earlier blog, the purpose of the Code of Ethics is to protect the public and to maintain a high standard of proprietary conduct as engineering practitioners. We must keep its purpose in perspective when deciding what is in and what’s out in the revised Code.
I anticipate a revised version of the Code and Guidelines on Professional Conduct which take into account your comments and those of the participants at the various workshops to be available for comment next week.
To view the Code of Ethics website and make a comment, please click here.
