I’m inclined to worry. I worry a lot, about all sorts of things – sometimes I worry that I worry too much. I was particularly worried after attending a technical seminar recently. The organisation was top-notch and the presenters were world-class, but from the beginning something just felt . . . off.
And then it struck me that the thing gnawing at my subconscious, making it hard to concentrate, was the very people in the room: there was nothing wrong with them, per se, but the demographics were all screwy. Of the 40 or so attendees, I estimate the average age was in the mid-forties. Now, before I get accused of age-ism, let me say that I think engineers tend to be at the prime of their careers around that age, having gathered a wealth of experience and knowledge while still being hungry for more. As an average, though, over 40 is old for such a fast-paced industry, and illustrates the shortage of young engineering blood in SA.
Much more disturbing than age, though, was the fact that there were only five people of colour, and only two women. Socio-economics demand that we produce more engineers who are black, or women, or both, and the industry seems, for the most part, ready and willing to embrace them.
Sadly, while I celebrate the success stories and applaud the many hard working people who are trying to make a positive difference, I can’t help but feel this country’s education system is dysfunctional and is failing the electronic engineering sector dismally. Looking ahead a decade into the future makes me very worried indeed.
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