ACE chair
“I think as a profession we have so concerns. Pick up any newspaper and it course, we recognise the dilemma for the
much to offer in terms of the variety is hard to avoid talk of a public spending government, any government, that the
of environments to work in, whether squeeze and the ongoing economic deficit must be tackled.
its site based or in an office, and the struggle. “On the other hand fee levels are
diversity of work from design through “There is the political argument that is certainly reducing, and companies are
to management. At BDP it’s about put forward that we need to keep injecting becoming leaner and more efficient.
sponsoring students through university, money to keep the industry going. I think Discretionary spending is almost out the
awarding bursaries, encouraging there is something in that. The industry window in many companies. In a way that
people to come in for work placements, needs consistency and certainty so that sort of squeeze, painful as it is, pushes
forming links with universities: constantly it can plan ahead and retain talent. Of innovation.”
reinforcing the message.”
Helping those already on the path to
engineering is crucial, but it is only part of
the equation. Michelle is very enthusiastic
about raising interest at a younger age.
BDP wins Teambuild for
Many children do not understand that
engineering is a profession open to them.
But thanks to community projects set up
the second year running
as part of their involvement in the Building
Schools for the Future programme,
industry training days have bought local BDP’s London Studio has won were challenged to plan and design
children into the BDP studios. Teambuild for the second year in a row. the development of a new civic centre
“It’s amazing actually. What’s The success of rEvolve at the national in South London. In a simulation of
interesting is that not many students know event is all the more remarkable as the design and construction process
what engineers do. And when they find this year’s team had none of last year’s for the development of a real site,
out what it involves they get very excited. winning members in it. competitors presented their work
It isn’t for everyone, but it’s wonderful to Teambuild is a prestigious before a pre-eminent judging panel
see some of them go away saying this is competition for young engineers with from industry institutions including ICE,
the career I want.” a range of different specialisations. IstructE Educational Trust, CIBSE and
For an example of how those Each side is multi-disciplinary, and the CIOB.
projects can set children on the path to contest sees them presented with a real
engineering, you need look no further than life design challenge to resolve over a Winning team
Michelle herself. weekend. rEvolve
Michelle attended an all girls’ Michelle McDowell told Impact: Huw Myles – Acoustics
secondary school. As was often the case, “We’re very proud of the team. This Emma Coxall - Interior design
careers advice overlooked conventionally pays testament to the energy and the Nitin Shikotra - Project Management
male careers, directing pupils towards interdisiplinary thinking of the young Sarah Hobday-North – Urbanism
medicine or administration work instead. team we have.” Richard Whitfield - Structures
Michelle herself knew little about During the weekend, the teams Ruffy Ruan - Sustainability
engineering at that age and labels it a
‘fluke’ that she ever came to the industry.
“It was only because my dad was
a science teacher and he came home
one day with a pamphlet from the
Construction Industry Training Board
about girls studying science at A-Level. It
was a residential course to introduce girls
to engineering. I went on that and it was
like a door opening and a light going on”.
In terms of getting more women into
the industry, Michelle is pleased things are
changing.
“We do need more women in the
industry and I think it is getting better. We
have a lot of young ambassadors now
in the profession, particularly within the
ACE and through the work of the ACE
Progress Network. The energy that comes
out of that, the talks they have and the
passion there is very uplifting. We need
more of that. They’re very effective.”
Attracting talent is vital for the future of
the industry but there are other pressing
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