Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management

Engineers Australia established the Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management (CELM) in 2002 to encourage and empower more engineers to prepare them for significant leadership and management roles.

How do you define leadership? How do you become a good leader? How can you tell if you are a good leader? What characteristics does a good leader have? So many questions surround what makes a good leader. Sadly, there is no definitive single answer.

The Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management assists engineers to become better leaders. Through the exceptional work of our CELM Chapters in each Division, we aim to equip engineers with the skills to become proficient engineering leaders.

The National CELM Conference in Perth in September 2008 was again a highlight, held for the first time in conjunction with the Young Engineers Summit. The theme for the conference was Engineers: Driving Australia’s Future. Over 300 delegates were entertained and informed by keynote speakers including Dr Ziggy Switkowski and Rev Tim Costello, both of whom shared stories of great innovation and leadership.

CELM also has an important role to play in promoting Engineering Executive (Eng Exec), which recognises members who achieve relevant leadership and management competency standards. Over the next 12 months, the CELM Board will be encouraging more engineers in all occupational categories to undertake the journey and achieve Eng Exec.

The success of CELM lies in the diligent work of the CELM Chapters. Regular meetings are held in most of the Divisions and it is pleasing to see the wide variety of events and activities undertaken. I encourage all members of Engineers Australia in management roles or as aspiring leaders to connect with their CELM Chapters and support their work.

The next 12 months holds many exciting opportunities. It is with great pleasure I announce that for the first time CELM and Young Engineers Australia will join forces to present the Engineering Leadership Conference 2010. It will be held in Brisbane from the 5-7 May 2010. Please visit www.engineeringleadership.org for more information.

In addition, Engineers Australia’s National Council has agreed that 2010 will be designated Year of Engineering Leadership. This is a CELM initiative and we will take great pleasure in joining with our members to recognise our engineering leaders, and hopefully answer some questions about leadership and assist our members in becoming better leaders.

Prof Archie Johnston
Chair