Engineering lies at the heart of solutions for many of Australia’s key challenges. As engineers our choices are critical to ensure vibrant, sustainable and resilient communities.
With the help of volunteers and members country-wide, Engineers Australia has hosted a mixture of virtual and face-to-face gatherings to facilitate robust industry discussion and change.
Our members have been integral to this progress, and we want to thank you for being a part of Engineers Australia.
We have put together a snapshot of just some of the areas we’ve made significant progress in this year, because of the dedication of our member base, volunteers and staff.
Climate Smart Engineering
In November we held the inaugural Climate Smart Engineering Conference featuring keynote speaker, global environmentalist and former US Vice President Al Gore. We created a virtual conference platform like no other for more than 600 attendees.
Alongside the conference we released our climate change position statement calling for governments, investors, the private sector and the wider community to work with the engineering profession to accelerate innovation for a swift transition to a sustainable economy.
Growing our voice in government
Engineers Australia launched its initiative to build the engineering profession’s reputation for impact in public policy. We created four workstreams for the External Voice Project; technology and industry, infrastructure, energy and climate change.
The four workstreams and discussions help Engineers Australia play a positive role in influencing public policy issues critical to the future direction of our society, economy, and environment. So far, we have hosted 15 stakeholder briefings, an all-member briefing, and developed a series of quarterly updates for volunteers on these topics.
Engineering registration
Statutory registration of engineers came into effect in Victoria this year, and the ACT Government has now indicated it will move towards a registration scheme. Engineers Australia has been approved as an assessment entity for the Victorian Government’s Professional Engineers Registration Scheme, allowing members and non-members to be assessed for professional registration.
In 2022, as the ACT shapes its registration legislation, Engineers Australia will remain at the forefront of advocacy to see this commitment fulfilled.
Diversity and inclusion
Diversity and inclusion have been major focus points for Engineers Australia in 2021, and this work will continue long into the future. We aim to increase diversity in the profession not only as a matter of fairness, but to deliver better solutions by harnessing the full range of talents and perspectives. This year, we launched a major research project and subsequent report into the barriers facing Australia’s migrant engineers, a group that is essential to our nation’s engineering capability.
Our state-based offices have also worked hard to create events that are inclusive and foster STEM programs that attract a diverse young audience to the profession.
Looking forward
To kick 2022 off we have our Pinnacles Awards Event, which will celebrate the highest calibre of engineering professionals and recognise our 2021 Australian Engineer of the Year. This will be shortly followed by International Women’s Day events across the country, featuring the inspirational jockey Michelle Payne OAM.
We will continue to make sure the engineering profession has a voice in government, in education, and in the community. We look forward to working with our members in all these areas.
Engineers Australia’s holiday shutdown period will run from Monday 27 December 2021 to Friday 7 January 2022. During this time our offices will be closed and there will not be any events held.
Wishing you all the best over the holiday period and into the new year.