In Canada, March marks National Engineering Month, and it gives the country a chance to open up the sector to give the youth an opportunity to learn about engineering, what they can do as engineers and help to profile the countries achievements in engineering.
The annual campaign is designed to spark interest into the younger generation, by providing a number of events, workshops and by sharing content about how the industry works, and how you can leave a legacy.
We caught up with our intern, Jack Lawrie, who is currently working in our Canadian office in Toronto as a Site Engineer – learning new skills and applying what he’s learnt in his studies so far at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. Jack previously spent summer working for WJ UK in the design office, which you can read about here.
Here’s what Jack had to say on the main aims of the campaign:
It provides an opportunity for youth to learn about engineering.
“Engineering is a thrilling discipline and can lead to so many exciting opportunities. It is important for young people to be shown how exciting a life as an engineer can be. I have been given so many brilliant opportunities with WJ: from my 12 week placement in the design office where I learnt a lot about the theory of groundwater management and how important the role WJ plays is in the construction industry; to working on-site for many multiple major UK and Canadian projects in two of the most rapidly developing cities in the world”.
It helps kids understand the various things they can do as engineers.
With this year’s theme being “There’s a place for you”, engineering month does all it can to educate kids and parents alike what career path they can follow through an interest in engineering.
“Engineering, at its core, is problem solving, it is relevant in far more fields than people expect. They are the people who are thinking and approaching whatever their work may be, in a creative, innovative way. Engineers are the people who shape the world around us and have a beneficial effect on every part of our lives, from our homes and our cars, to the satellites and space exploration”.
It can teach youth what it takes to become a professional engineer.
The avenues you can take within engineering are large, but you need to show a passion towards your chosen path. Once you’re set on your choice, the work that you put in will show at the end, meaning you can leave your legacy on some large, and important projects.
“A professional engineer required a passion and devotion to the field they are in. It’s not achieved quickly or easily but is the result of a rich and exciting career. Everybody has the ability to become a professional engineer, there are as many directions and specializations as can be imagined, for every inquisitive mind”.
It helps to profile for youth the accomplishments of Canada’s engineers.
Jack’s experiences in Canada so far have given him an extra perspective on engineering in a different country. Being born in England, this is the first time he’s been able to get abroad and work with different tools, processes and soil conditions to what he’s used to, so it’s been a great step in his progression.
“Since I‘ve been working in Canada, I’ve taken more responsibility and control of project than I ever expected I would. I am able to design dewatering systems, plus oversee and guide the installation from start to finish. The work I have been part of and responsibilities that I have taken have had significant effect on all of my projects. I can now say that I played an important role in multiple large construction project”.
“When you think about all of the objects, buildings and processes that are around us every day it can seem impossible that any of them have come to be. Studying engineering you learn the science behind the magic we see every day. Engineering makes the seemingly impossible, become a reality. Such structures as the CN tower would not have been possible without many Canadian engineers. Outstanding structures such as the CN tower are the product of many passionate engineers playing a small but vital part in a collaborative project which will outlast any of its creators”.
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