Articles
The summer months usually see a drop-off in events and news as the holiday season starts. Chances are this issue of PE may even reach the odd beach or poolside resort. The results of our 8 Questions Q&A, which asks engineers about their holiday habits, certainly suggests that may be the case.
The pace of events is yet to abate in the UK, though, as politicians and businesses reconfigure themselves to deal with the consequences of the vote to leave the EU. Our article considers the referendum’s impact across sectors and looks at what is being done to ensure that engineering and industry’s voice is heard by government at this time.
Elsewhere in the magazine, our features take a deep dive with new technology in areas such as industrial automation and compressors, and reveal how engineers are working through complex problems in demanding environments to electrify the railways. We also talk to experts about the implications for the development of autonomous vehicles of the first reported death in a car fitted with smart technology, as well look at how companies such as Jaguar Land Rover are leveraging the skills of ex-service personnel.
Despite the summer, there’s also a lack of holidaying at the IMechE during July as the institution’s events calendar speeds up. The flagship events that engage with young people, Formula Student, the Unmanned Aerial Systems Challenge and the Railway Challenge, all happened last month. More details about them can be found throughout the magazine and online. A visitor or volunteer to these events cannot help but be impressed by the standard of the work done by the competitors. All these events continue to grow in size and reputation, and they have a great role to play in creating the next generation of engineering leaders.
Leaders and the issue of leadership have figured heavily in politics post-referendum. At times of any great change people look to those in charge for leadership and a response. Judgement on the capability of political leaders is perhaps more subjective than that of leaders in the engineering profession and industry. The performance of a product, device, vehicle or machine can be measured and benchmarked. A business is profitable and grows or it does not. Things are not as hazy as they can be with policy, promises or public reaction.
So as the focus continues to increase on technology and engineering’s role in our society, it’s more of an imperative than ever before that the profession produces capable and inspirational leaders. This makes events such as Formula Student all the more important. I’ve also been lucky enough to visit companies this month where an individual’s values and vision clearly define and inspire those around them to do great things. Those companies, big and small, exist in the UK today and also provide a great example to the next generation of leaders.
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