Engineers Australia's continued advocacy to government and across industry on several matters pertaining to engineering in WA has seen results with two key announcements by the WA Government, namely the creation of Infrastructure WA with John Langoulant AO confirmed as the chair designate, and the launch of the WA State STEM strategy.

General Manager for WA, Susan Kreemer Pickford and myself are attending an industry briefing to the WA Infrastructure Coalition by John Langoulant at CCIWA on 12 July. The briefing will outline the immediate tasks ahead for Infrastructure WA and how industry will be involved as part of their broader consultation and engagement.

The WA State STEM strategy launched on 28 May has an initial $3.3 million investment to begin the delivery over the next four years.

This funding is for professional development of more than 1,000 teachers in lower socioeconomic public schools, STEM communication, mentoring programs, and digital and technology programs.

The panel convened to develop the goals and pillars of the strategy was chaired by WA's Chief Scientist Professor Peter Klinken and comprised industry experts, researchers and educators – including Engineers Australia.

Having represented Engineers Australia on this panel, Susan has been appointed for two years to the Scitech STEM advisory panel, the first meeting of which was held on 21 June.

Following Engineers Australia’s participation in the Premier’s Roundtable on Steel Fabrication earlier this year, we were invited to nominate a representative to the Government’s Mining Industry Consulting Group. My name was put forward and I am pleased to confirm my appointment.

Late last year, Dr Gary Bryant from the WA Division Committee was nominated and accepted to represent Engineers Australia on the Mining Industry Advisory Committee chaired by Department of Mines, Industry, Regulations and Safety on behalf of Minister Johnston.

In this role, he requested a briefing from Chief Engineer Andrew Chaplyn ahead of the upcoming consultation on the WA Work Health and Safety Bill and Regulations. This was held last Friday 28 June and attended by myself and Susan along with some other WA Division Committee members and senior office bearers.

Engineers Australia is also represented on the Government’s LNG Jobs Taskforce with Susan a part of the Education, Training, and Innovation Working Group. Past President Francis Norman is involved in a number of the working groups in his role as GM Innovation and Strategy NERA.