Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) President Oneil Josephs is advocating that his profession and the association which represents the interests of engineers receive a seat at the table of national development.

Jospehs, in a presentation preceding the launch of the JIE’s Year of Engineering 2024 at the Audi Showroom in New Kingston last Thursday evening, underscored the value of engineers in nation-building and reasserted the need for local engineers to participate in local infrastructure projects. The occasion also served as a deal-signing opportunity with the JIE head signing separate memoranda of understanding (MOU) with Proven Properties Limited and Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited.

While noting that the launch of the week coincides with USA’s and Trinidad and Tobago’s Week of Engineers, the JIE president said his message is no different from those of his international counterparts.

“Materially and otherwise, a country’s growth and development is hinged on engineering. All of their development [and] infrastructure projects are based on the skill sets they have been able to hone over several decades of research and development in engineering,” Josephs stated, adding that “engineering in Jamaica is critical to the country’s development”.

Still, he lamented that the experience both he and his colleagues have had does not reflect the value of engineering, which he said is treated like “the forgotten stepchild”. In addition, he shared that professionals in medicine and law “seem to get more respect” and prestige when compared to engineers.

“I’m strongly of the view that it is because of this neglect of engineering over several decades that we have seen somewhat of a deterioration of our own physical infrastructure. But now is the opportune time to back into perspective the role of engineering design and development,” Joseph said.

With this in mind, the JIE will embark on a campaign that will seek to raise awareness about the engineering profession, promote research and development in training, and building business partnership with both public and private sector entities. This three-pronged approach, the JIE president said, was developed “after much thought, consultations, observations and preliminary assessment of our local, economic and social circumstances”.

As part of the campaign, the JIE will embark on a high school tour promoting the message of engineering being the driver of economic development.

“We want when we go into the schools to have gadgets — science gadgets, robotic gadgets. We want to inspire the minds of these young people … [and] we want to build out the pipeline of engineers through the high schools,” Josephs shared.

The association’s campaign will also see it making courtesy calls on government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as private sector entities.

In terms of research and development, the JIE president outlined plans to work with tertiary institutions such as The University of the West Indies, Mona; University of Technology, Jamaica; and Caribbean Maritime University in providing internships, facilitating research and transfer of knowledge. One of the areas of focus with regard to research and development will be environmentally sustainable engineering practices and innovation.

Pointing out that he has observed a reduction in the investments in engineering education, Josephs explained that if the JIE undertook bringing together resources, it would not only create “a framework for investment” but also address the human resource shortage in structural, mechanical engineers, among other related technical expertise.

The JIE will also be exploring business opportunities that will redound to private and public sector partnerships.

Keynote speaker and managing director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund Omar Sweeney, who is also a trained engineer, shared similar sentiments as Jospehs. Looking at the historical development of Jamaica, he said the country was one of the earliest beneficiaries of electricity and the railway because of the engineering profession.

“There’s no question that the impact of engineering on nation-building…I looked at some numbers this morning and saw where GDP from construction improved from $14 billion in the third quarter of 2023 to $18 billion, and that gives me an idea of how much impact that the technical roles of engineers,” he added.

He emphasised that the role of engineers is even more critical as Jamaica faces a number of threats related to global warming and other natural disasters such as earthquakes.

“The question always comes after the disaster: Where are the engineers?” Sweeney highlighted, adding that the knowledge and expertise are resident in Jamaica and has contributed to the design and building of roads.

The JSIF head also encouraged engineers to embrace technology in their work including the most recent consideration artificial intelligence.

Head of business development at Proven Properties Ruth-Ann Lacey, who signed one of two MOUs alongside Josephs, said the company is always on the lookout for engineers in the construction industry and has found that having a partnership with the JIE will address that challenge.

“From a corporate social responsibility standpoint, we really wanted to roll out a programme where we could [groom] the next generation of engineers to come, which we’re calling the Proven Path to Success,” she said, adding that the programme will involve mentorships, internships and tuition aid.