GREAT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ENGINEERS
Mike Griffin
27th September 2007, 11:50am
The Australian Power Institute has implemented a national Power Engineering Bursary program to attract first year engineering students into the energy sector, with over 35 bursaries to be awarded in 2007.
The energy generation and transmission industry in Australia is facing a critical shortage of engineers to build and maintain the infrastructure and systems required to meet future customer demands.
This worrying outlook has been highlighted by Mike Griffin, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Power Institute, in the lead-up to the Energy 21C conference in Sydney.
Mr Griffin said there were about 5,000 professional engineers currently working across all sectors of the energy transmission and distribution sector and associated industries. Yet, he said the advanced age profile of those engineers and the high number of impending retirements would create a critical shortfall of skilled personnel within five years.
“We will need up to 2,000 engineering graduates from universities before 2012,” he said. “However, the problem is that the perceived benefits of science and engineering study is low compared to other high profile areas such as law and medicine. This means we simply don’t have the pool of emerging engineers to meet our requirements into the future.”
“At the other end of the scale, many academics teaching energy engineering in Australian universities are also approaching retirement. We need to address this problem to ensure that engineering teachers are abreast of new developments and emerging demands in the energy sector. There is also an urgent need to highlight to secondary and early tertiary students the many challenges and career opportunities in energy engineering.”
“As an industry-funded, not-for-profit organisation, the Institute is dedicated to promoting careers in engineering that are both motivating and fulfilling for young people. These people are our future.”
Mr Griffin said energy delivery capability over the next decade would depend largely on the ability of the industry to attract, manage and retain skilled young people. “This will be a particular focus of the Energy 21C meeting with a plenary session on Wednesday November 14 to be devoted to the views and aspirations of future leaders in the energy sector. By providing a forum for young engineers to express their views on the future of our industry, it will hopefully highlight an exciting and challenging future. ”
“We will strive to spread this message beyond the Energy 21C meeting to ensure it reaches schools and universities so that young people can make informed decisions about careers in our industry.”
“There has never been a better opportunity for dedicated young engineers to fulfil their ambitions and establish successful career paths in a sector that is vital to Australia’s growth and social stability.”
GAS A SPECIALISED STREAM OF ENERGY 21C
Australia’s abundance of natural gas reserves will see this resource become increasingly important as an energy source for industrial and domestic consumers. The Australian gas distribution is valued at over $10 billion and it services around four million connections, including households, businesses and industry, through 75,000 km of pipelines. Gas customers are increasing, however average consumption is static or in decline. This trend is expected to continue as the nation heads towards a carbon emissions trading scheme. At the same time, the gas distribution sector is facing a package of proposed reforms that will shape the future of network business. These changes include:
- the proposed Gas Law and Rules, which are expected to be implemented in early 2008; and
- a new Gas Distribution Standard covering network management, preparing network safety and operating plans for gas networks, and installation and maintenance of steel and plastic pipe systems
The Energy 21C meeting will feature a dedicated natural gas stream, giving this sector the biggest exposure in the history of the nation’s premier energy transmission and distribution conference.”
Michael Kilgariff is the Director of Industry and Policy for the Energy Networks Association (ENA), the peak national body representing gas distribution and electricity distribution and transmission throughout Australia. He said the natural gas stream at Energy 21C was in recognition of an industry facing major expansion opportunities and challenges.”
“At one end of the scale, there are great opportunities in gas network marketing to grow the use of gas in the fast developing areas of NSW and Queensland,” he said.
“At the other end, the sector faces challenging regulations that will influence investment decisions to expand gas networks, particularly in regional areas. “International experience is invaluable in helping to make informed judgements and decisions on the future of the Australian gas distribution sector.”
“Among the keynote speakers in the gas stream at Energy 21C will be John Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) in the United Kingdom. He will deliver a message from the International Gas Union, and speak on developing the skills for a vibrant gas industry.”
“IGEM President, Richard Haddon, will also speak on recent developments and regulatory changes in the UK gas distribution network”.
For more information, visit Energy 21C or contact the Conference Managers, Waldron smith Management, by telephone (03) 9645 6311 or e-mail energy21c@wsm.com.au
Media contact: Mike Griffin-Chief Executive, Mobile 0419643795
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