Institution news
Jon Hilton being 'White Hatted' - a long-standing tradition in Calgary, Canada, as a symbol of hospitality - with the Prairies group of Chartered Engineers executive and Red Coat Volunteers
Jon Hilton took the opportunity to visit local industry and academia in order to learn more about the engineering sector in Canada: its developments, challenges and how professional engineers are recognised nationally and by province.
During his trip to Canada, Hilton was given industrial visits to Boeing, the University of British Columbia, Submarines International, Westport and the new terminal at Calgary Airport plus evening dinners with both the British Columbia and Alberta branches. Hilton said that a highlight was the chance to go sailing in Vancouver with Nick Hawley and Kevin Oversby.
These visits gave Hilton the opportunity to meet with local IMechE members and understand their contribution to engineering and how the Institution can develop its benefits and services for international members.
The Calgary International Airport tour team with Jon Hilton next to the huge underground baggage handling system
A reception for the president was held at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver during which Hilton delivered an address. CEP member Nick Hawley said: “The event was very well intended and we heard more about Jon’s career and intentions for the next 10 months as president of the IMechE. His platform for election had stood out to me for two factors: he strongly believes in mentoring and to encourage all the various engineering institutions and associations to work together, sharing ideas to build a better world.”
Canadian prairies representative, Rick Marshall, said: “Jon was very interested in how engineering is governed in Canada and the difficulties in practicing here with only a UK or European certification. He said that more talks with the Canadian engineering bodies are required to try and recognise overseas qualifications, but this is a long-term item.”
Hilton said: “Our members in Canada work in a very different environment to those based in the UK and have particular requirements related to licensing of the profession which is done state by state. It was very helpful to understand how this works and what the IMechE can do to support members working in this regulatory environment.”
Hilton also highlighted that Canada’s engineering sector as a whole has a reliance on oil and gas and the continued low oil price is a particular challenge in the region. He added: “I hope that my visit has helped support the existing member groups in western Canada.”
The president also made a stop at Seattle to present the prestigious Honorary Fellowship to Joe Sutter. Joe sadly passed away, on 30 August 2016, not long after his meeting with Jon.
Joe's award was to recognise his achievements in the field of mechanical engineering and his distinguished career spanning four decades at Boeing. Hilton said that meeting Joe was an incredible highlight of the trip and added: “As a young engineer I had the pleasure to briefly meet Sir Frank Whittle and Joe is the airframe equivalent in so many ways.”
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