Engineering Technologists of Australia
During the latter half of 2008, the predominant activities of the National Committee for Engineering Technologists Australia (NCETA) related to the action items of the Engineering Team Task Force. NCETA also held joint meetings with the National Committee for Engineering Associates Australia.
NCETA then had a busy start to 2009 as it built upon the success of the 2008 Year of the Engineering Team and developed a forward plan to address the ongoing issues identified by the Engineering Team Task Force.
Our previous Chair Kim Greenock felt the time was right to step down at the Committee’s meeting in March 2009. As Deputy Chair, I was pleased to take over the role of Chair in line with our succession plan and follow on with the actions from the very successful Year of the Engineering Team. On behalf of Engineers Australia and particularly our Technologist members, I would like to express our thanks for Kim’s commitment, contribution, and leadership.
During 2008 Year of the Engineering Team many tasks were undertaken to advance the team ethos. The NCETA continues to promote the Engineering Team spirit and has made recommendations for the inclusion of all engineering occupational categories from the outset of any policy development relating to the regulation of the Engineering Profession in various states.
Engineers Australia’s end of year membership statistics show another year of membership growth. It is pleasing to note that Engineering Technologists experienced a 37% growth in Graduate Technologists upgrading to Member Technologist. However, there is still poor awareness and recognition of the place of the 3-year Engineering Technology degree in Australia, and so only a small quantity of Technologists are keen to take up membership. This poor awareness has also led to lower student demand and so a number of Universities have dropped their 3-year Bachelor of Technology programs.
During the first half of 2009, the NCETA contributed to the review of the Stage 1 Competency Standards for Engineering Technologists and also provided a response to Engineers Australia’s Draft Policy Statement on the Regulation of the Engineering Profession (June 2009).
The NCETA continues to promote the value of Chartered Status, registration on the National Engineering Technologist Register, and where appropriate Engineering Executive status. Engineering Executive may be particularly useful for Technologists as many hold senior management positions in
industry.
Hari Krishnan
Chair
