BESA Supports CIBSE's Pledge to Inspire New Generation of Engineers

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• BESA Supports CIBSE's Pledge to Inspire New Generation of Engineers

31 May 2022

The building services industry has been urged to rally behind new CIBSE President Kevin Mitchell’s campaign to inspire a new generation of engineers.

Kevin, in his presidential address, stated that he feels the younger incoming generation of engineering professionals could help society solve its big technical and scientific challenges.

He also identified the “looming disaster” of climate change, recovering from the pandemic, and the devastation of Ukrainian towns and cities as key trigger points for increasing awareness of the importance of the built environment among young people.

He said these challenges starkly illustrated the role building services play in people’s lives.

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) is calling for greater collaboration between industry bodies, employers, academia, and individual engineers to turn his vision into reality.

“Kevin offers fresh hope that we could, finally, find a way to present our industry in a way that appeals to a much more diverse audience,” said BESA chief executive David Frise.

“However, we will only be able to give his vision positive momentum and create change if we work together right across the building engineering supply chain.”

BESA also congratulated CIBSE on reaching its 125th anniversary.

“Research shows that the most talented young people - those who have a choice of profession - are increasingly drawn to careers where they believe their work will have a positive impact on the world. I would argue that there are few careers that offer more opportunity to deliver real change than that of a building services engineer.”

–Kevin Mitchell

President, CIBSE

Kevin Mitchell – New CIBSE President

Kevin Mitchell succeeds Kevin Kelly as CIBSE President and will be in turn succeeded by Adrian Catchpole, CIBSE President-Elect.

In the address on 5 May at the Royal Society in London, Kevin said: “The pandemic has raised urgent questions about our buildings and, especially, how they support the health and well-being of people. Healthy and resilient buildings have never mattered more. Not just to deal with Covid, but to manage the next threat – whatever and whenever that might be.

“And in Ukraine, when we come to repair the buildings, the important thing is that we are repairing lives and helping people.”

“Research shows that the most talented young people - those who have a choice of profession - are increasingly drawn to careers where they believe their work will have a positive impact on the world. I would argue that there are few careers that offer more opportunity to deliver real change than that of a building services engineer.”

“If we can inspire people to join us – people from a range of backgrounds who reflect the communities we serve – if we can do that, our ability to problem solve and innovate will increase exponentially.”

However, he said the industry had “mountains to climb” and if it expected a new generation to lead the way, then it would have to provide wholehearted support and encouragement. 

Picture: a photograph of a person wearing a hi-vis jacket and holding a protective hard hat. Image Credit: Pixabay

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 31 May 2022

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