INNOVATION and creativity were the keys to Australian engineers ensuring Australia remained competitive internationally.
That was the message given to the industry by the chief executive officer of the Joint Shelf Venture, Woodside Energy, Chris Haynes, at a breakfast this week to launch the annual Engineering Week which promotes the role played by engineers in society.
Dr Haynes said it was crucial Australia nurtured such qualities as it faced significant labour and fiscal disadvantages compared to its competition.
“By being innovative in the solutions we seek in terms of our engineering and our business we can overcome these disadvantages,” he said.
“Recent initiatives have included Quality Assurance, multi-skilling programs, workplace agreements and contracts, cost-cutting programs, mergers and alliances and continuous improvement programs.
“But while these programs can make a difference they can only improve our performance so far – then you hit a brick wall.
“Engineers can make the difference through innovative thinking and major breakthroughs can be achieved, but engineers need to ‘step outside the box’ and take the extra step.”
