Engineers Australia and Energy Networks Australia have joined forces to advocate for and build the competency and recognition of engineers in the energy sector.
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) is a national body that represents Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution, and gas distribution networks. It works to develop research and advice on areas such as policy, regulation and technical issues related to supply and quality.
ENA CEO Dominique van den Berg told create the motivation behind the collaboration between the two organisations was to find a solution to a challenge facing not only the energy sector, but the whole country: increasing the number of engineers.
“We need so many [more] skilled workers in the industry,” she said. “Any opportunity to support and uplift in this space and get more engineers into the industry through collaboration and partnership is good for [everyone].
“We like what Engineers Australia does and how it operates, and the topics … for us to work through are sensible and going to be good for everyone.”
Van den Berg said that while the need to advocate to bring engineers into the sector was clear, advocacy needs to resonate with both the industry and the profession alike – and so Engineers Australia’s presence and research will provide useful insights.
She said that in addition to the shortage of engineers overall, the energy sector was competing against other infrastructure projects in Australia, as well as opportunities internationally in the energy sector.
“We need to be clear about why an engineer would enter the energy sector in Australia, and offer a pathway that [they consider an] exciting space to get into,” she explained, while adding that the advocacy may reach back as far as STEM in schools.
Addressing the skills shortage within Australia’s energy sector is central to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and this partnership considers that, according to Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO FTSE HonFIEAust EngExec.
“The transition to clean energy not only represents a significant shift in how we generate and consume energy but also necessitates a substantial expansion and enhancement of the workforce capable of driving this change,” she said.
“Our partnership with Energy Networks Australia is an important step towards meeting our engineering skills need.”
The collaboration also looks at how ENA can support Engineers Australia with the introduction of a new Chartered area of practice relevant to the energy sector.
“There are a whole lot of new areas now in engineering, so this is about making sure that there’s a framework that sits behind these new competencies,” van den Berg explained.
“It’s early days on exactly how the work will unravel, but at least we’re looking at it and making sure that we have tools in place to ensure that if engineers are taking this track, they’re getting the right level of recognition and development.”
Historic partnership
ENA’s agreement follows an earlier announcement that Engineers Australia and Consult Australia have signed a formal collaboration agreement to develop a plan that represents the interests of both engineers and businesses.
The plan focuses on issues such as ethics, diversity and inclusion, and mental health and wellbeing.
Consult Australia, which represents the business interests of consulting firms in the built and natural environment, is focused on improving the business environment for consulting firms.
It also advocates on behalf of its members on issues that impact their business, promotes industry reform and supports the development of a sustainable consulting industry in Australia.
The agreement with Engineers Australia includes efforts to increase the presence and recognition of women in engineering, create healthier workplaces, and ensure engineers are recognised professionally through standardised education and government registration.
The collaboration is also dedicated to promoting sustainability and innovation, aiming to improve productivity and provide value to the community. It seeks to address the insurance needs of businesses and the engineering profession, advocate for reforms to improve access to skills globally and locally, secure government registration for engineers, and support a vibrant STEM community.
Engineers Australia President Dr Raj Aseervatham said that while each organisation preserves its distinct voice to reflect the specific priorities of its respective members, the agreements reinforce Engineers Australia’s commitment to work collaboratively to tackle a wide range of challenges and opportunities that impact both the engineering sector and the broader community.