Engineers Australia taking a proactive approach to COVID-19

Engineers Australia is taking a proactive approach to managing the challenges of the COVID-19 coronavirus and has announced it will work to support its members, the engineering profession and the broader community in these difficult times.

“Engineers Australia is taking a proactive approach to managing the challenges of the COVID-19 coronavirus and will work to support our members, profession and the broader community in these difficult times.

“No one set of ‘rules’ can apply to every engineering business, but we are seeing restrictions being put on travel, critical roles identified, large events cancelled and, where possible, work being done remotely,” said Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans.

“Most organisations have put their crisis management teams into action and are taking a variety of further steps including restrictions on face-to-face meetings, video meetings for leadership teams, staggered start times and team members taking turns to work in the office and remotely.

“These measures are important, but it’s also vital to prepare employees to face the mental challenges ahead — the situation will change, and it will be protracted.”

Dr Evans said that Engineers Australia wants to be able to continue to offer members the opportunity to attend training and events in the coming months, while taking a proportional approach to risk.

“We have limited events to a maximum of 50 attendees to avoid overcrowding and enable tracing, if required,” she said. “As a result of the decision, we have cancelled and postponed many events and are exploring options to take other events online.

“The welfare of our people is paramount, and we have expanded our flexible working arrangements to enable staff to work remotely and conduct business online. We have also updated our leave procedures, with employees able to access up to 60 days additional paid leave.”

Engineers will be crucial in many immediate aspects of the COVID-19 response, including by innovating solutions to supply chain challenges and facilitating greater domestic manufacturing.

“Skills in risk management, mitigation and the ability to innovate stand the engineering profession in good stead as we face down the global COVID-19 pandemic,” she added.

“Engineers Australia will continue to engage with industry and government, and continue to support our colleagues and communities, offering whatever assistance we can provide.”

Image: Dr Bronwyn Evans