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Where is the IET going?

RayC
The IET on Twitter is mostly about women in engineering and it appears we also have or have had an Executive member who represents the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK). Since when did we get away and direct our selves at subsections of the organization? There is no minorities that I am aware of in the IET at least not because of bias in any way shape of form. The same goes for women in engineering, no one is biased against them. Low numbers are because they dont want to be in engineering..

Where is the IET heading? It does not seem to be going in a place most of the member wold probably want or is it?
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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    Roy Bowdler:

    You have clearly earned the right to make your own decision, which does not in my opinion diminish your 30+ years of service, or disqualify you from participating/contributing, since local many events are “open access” anyway. If as you say your decision is carefully considered, then I hope you recognise that the diversity issue is major one for society generally. The IET can either be dragged “kicking and screaming” along that path, or exercise moral leadership. I think that it has made the right choice in that respect.  The balance of “noise” on social media at any particular point in time, should not be guiding us, but if a young woman becomes an engineer or technician as a result, that is to be celebrated.        

     




    I'm trying to be careful with what I have said about the bias that's coming from the IET.   The output that we are seeing from them is skewed.   My point here is that you can not challenge inequality by inequality!   If we give out a prize for Young Woman Engineer of the Year we have to, absolutely must, also give out a prize for young Man Engineer.   I would much prefer complete equality but your statements on race and colour isn't one I've ever recognised within the IET.


    But we also have a focus on what seems like STEM events for school children.   Which gives me the impression that the IET is focusing on teachers rather than engineers.   If there is a problem with the lack of STEM participation then it must be endemic within the curriculum of the schools.   You are not going to solve this by having a one day Lego build competition!   It's not enough.


    On a wider scale, it seems that youngsters are becoming consumers rather than creators!   When was the last time you seen someone with a set of pram wheels nailing them with flattened bean cans to a bogie?   The problem is bigger than the IET can solve.   As a nation we seem to have given up on creating new technologies.   We don't seem to have the youths sitting in front of their computers writing software, but instead posting to social media instead.   We don't have a hobby electronics industry as we had before, and the closure of Maplin was a very sad day (although they seem to have diverted from their kit origins too).   This is why we've got a shortage of new engineers.


    Alas, for me, it's a question really of what do I get out of the IET.   Yes, I'm being selfish, as is my right.   I don't mind part of my fees going to help the next generation but what else do I get?

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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    Roy Bowdler:

    You have clearly earned the right to make your own decision, which does not in my opinion diminish your 30+ years of service, or disqualify you from participating/contributing, since local many events are “open access” anyway. If as you say your decision is carefully considered, then I hope you recognise that the diversity issue is major one for society generally. The IET can either be dragged “kicking and screaming” along that path, or exercise moral leadership. I think that it has made the right choice in that respect.  The balance of “noise” on social media at any particular point in time, should not be guiding us, but if a young woman becomes an engineer or technician as a result, that is to be celebrated.        

     




    I'm trying to be careful with what I have said about the bias that's coming from the IET.   The output that we are seeing from them is skewed.   My point here is that you can not challenge inequality by inequality!   If we give out a prize for Young Woman Engineer of the Year we have to, absolutely must, also give out a prize for young Man Engineer.   I would much prefer complete equality but your statements on race and colour isn't one I've ever recognised within the IET.


    But we also have a focus on what seems like STEM events for school children.   Which gives me the impression that the IET is focusing on teachers rather than engineers.   If there is a problem with the lack of STEM participation then it must be endemic within the curriculum of the schools.   You are not going to solve this by having a one day Lego build competition!   It's not enough.


    On a wider scale, it seems that youngsters are becoming consumers rather than creators!   When was the last time you seen someone with a set of pram wheels nailing them with flattened bean cans to a bogie?   The problem is bigger than the IET can solve.   As a nation we seem to have given up on creating new technologies.   We don't seem to have the youths sitting in front of their computers writing software, but instead posting to social media instead.   We don't have a hobby electronics industry as we had before, and the closure of Maplin was a very sad day (although they seem to have diverted from their kit origins too).   This is why we've got a shortage of new engineers.


    Alas, for me, it's a question really of what do I get out of the IET.   Yes, I'm being selfish, as is my right.   I don't mind part of my fees going to help the next generation but what else do I get?

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