Engineers Australia says today’s Victorian Budget announcing record investment in infrastructure projects is a big win for the state.

The Association’s Victorian President Alesha Printz congratulated the Andrews Government for the big funds injection to rollout new transport, construction and road work.

"With $13.7 billion flagged for roads, public transport and other infrastructure projects across Victoria - including the Airport Rail Link and Regional Rail - now more than ever in this state, engineering expertise is required.

"Victoria is at the centre of an infrastructure boom spanning roads, rail and building construction. Underpinning each of these areas is a need for strong and skilled engineering input.

"This record infrastructure spend will see demand for engineers at an all-time high in Victoria. To that end we also welcome the Government’s $172 million investment to make 30 priority TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses free. These are other educational pathways that can feed into engineering specific degrees," Ms Printz said.

With the growing need for engineers the Association argues that now more than ever – it is important to ensure quality and accountability across the profession.

"We also strongly support the Government’s recent introduction of an Engineering Registration Bill to ensure this happens," Ms Printz said.

The historic Bill provides a legislative framework that gives the community, policymakers and industry confidence that engineers working in Victoria meet a strict set of professional standards and have the qualifications expected of being an engineer.

"Registration of engineers is vital to accountability and safety standards within the profession. It will help determine that engineers have the adequate skills and competency to undertake complex projects including around infrastructure and fire safety," Ms Printz said.

Media: Catherine Garrett 0467 003 866