Opportunities for N.Z. engineers

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32660, 16 July 1971, Page 8

Opportunities for N.Z. engineers

No other achievement in engineering required the co-operation of as many branches of engineering or involved as diverse a range of engineers as a nuclear power station, Dr R. J. Aspden, senior civil construction engineer at the power station project in New Plymouth, said in the Dobson lecture in Christchurch last evening.

The Dobson lecture was arranged by the New Zealand Institution of Engineers 10 years ago to interest young men in engineers and their work. It takes its name from the Dobson family of engineers who were responsible for many important Canterbury and West Coast developments.

Dr Aspden's subject for the lecture to senior secondary school pupils was engineering in the nuclear age, and he took them step by step through the construction erf a nuclear power station after saying he was sure that some would be involved in the country’s first, second or later nuclear power station, even though it might seem to be in the never-never at present. Involved in the station were civil engineers, structural, nuclear, mechanical, electrical, electronic, control, chemical, production, building services and safety engineers, he said.

The only branches he did not mention were marine, aeronautical and mining engineering; but the last was important because of the mining of uranium ore. Engineers of the future had many challenges and problems which made engineering the most exciting career to

follow. Whichever path was chosen professional engineer, technician or tradesman there Was a guarantee of an important role in the future of New Zealand. There was a responsibility to do bigger and bigger jobs, such as the nuclear station, more economically but always with the needs of individuals in mind.

Mr N. Jordan, systems engineer in the engineering and scientific group of 1.8. M., New Zealand, Ltd, spoke about education for engineering and of the wide range of opportunities available for those qualified.