Engineers Australia has participated in consultations and submitted a response to the NSW Government for the NSW Innovation Strategy.
A strong engineering profession is critical to the new economy and to the development of New South Wales. Engineers play a role in almost every industry in the economy.
In response to the National Government Innovation Strategy, the NSW Government has been conducting consultations to develop the NSW innovation strategy.
In March, Engineers Australia held A Smarter Australia; Education and Innovation Forum. Following this, Engineers Australia was invited to meet with the NSW Department of Industry to discuss the NSW Innovation Strategy.
Engineers Australia was represented at the meetings by Alexandra Meldrum FIEAust CPEng FAICD FIChemE, former Board Member of Engineers Australia, 2014 President and Chair of Education & Innovation Committee of Engineers Australia Sydney and by Emeritus Professor Robin King HonFIEAust CPEng NER FTSE, former Chair of the Engineers Australia Accreditation Board – the Chair and Deputy Chair respectively, of an Engineers Australia committee focused on education and innovation in New South Wales.
Engineers Australia's recent submission to the NSW Government "New South Wales Innovation Directions" was provided as a response for the NSW Innovation Strategy. The submission was written by Alexandra Meldrum and Emeritus Professor Robin King, with support by Engineers Australia staff led by Executive General Manager Brent Jackson.
The paper articulated how engineers provide leadership and the critical skills for the transformation to a new economy, and for driving improved growth, prosperity and living standards. Engineers give valuable input into decision making for policy makers in decisions relating to innovation, productivity and sustainability.
Engineers Australia pointed out how, in Australia, the critical role of engineers in these topics is often overlooked. This submission provides recommendations to improve innovation systems and performance in New South Wales.
This paper from Engineers Australia addresses elements of the consultation for five themes
- Open for business; supporting the innovation ecosystem.
- Accessing markets and money; on industry-research connections
- Meeting business demand for education and skills
- Doing business with government; on government procurement
- Smarter Government; on risk taking
The paper emphasises the key roles of engineering skills in innovation and prosperity, importance of developing engineering awareness at schools as an integral part of STEM, importance of vocational education, the need to address the gender gap, recommendations for public sector procurement, and chartered status for engineers.
View further input on Business Spectator on "How we can catch up in the innovation race".