ENGINEERING: The Key to Decent Work and Economic Growth

The UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) were established to set and provide guidelines towards an integrated social, economic, and environmental framework advancing the well-being of humanity [1]. Within this framework, engineering plays a pivotal role in social needs and maintaining a sustainable environment. In this essay, we focus on how advances within the engineering profession can impact decent work and economic prosperity.

Throughout history, engineering has proved to be central to establishing and sustaining economic growth and decent work. Take the agricultural revolution (AR) for example. Before the AR, life for humans was based on hunting, crop, and livestock farming. However, the introduction of AR welcomed the mechanization of agriculture, leading to an economic growth spurt. Advanced farming tools were invented and old ones perfected to improve the efficiency of various operations. This brought about the industrial revolution (IR) with world-class innovations that altered how the farming process worked. During this time, manufacturing and the economy were all advancing rapidly [2]. Textile machines were created, and decent jobs started to take the industry by storm. Technological advances developed during IR gave birth to the information age - marking the current era. It is in this era where we are witnessing creativity at scale, integration of diverse perspectives, and multidisciplinary engineering professions working together.

Take for example the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. It took a village of engineers and scientists coming from all different parts, and backgrounds to share knowledge that sequenced the gene for the COVID-19 vaccine. They did this by creating new algorithms and running large simulations on supercomputers. Scientists conducted experiments and vaccine trials in laboratories across different communities. The distribution of the vaccine relied on efficient transportation processes and systems designed by engineers - another testament to the impact that engineers are making in society.

Information technologies are on the rise; e.g. the internet - a technology which according to statistics, is used by over 60% of the world. The internet is bridging gaps; linking students from underrepresented or low-income communities to connect to online resources and get a free education.

The SDG8 targets present a framework to help achieve economic growth & decent work. These targets include SDG8.2: achieving higher levels of economic productivity through diversification; SDG8.3: promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, and decent job creation; SDG8.5: by 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all genders and equal pay for work of equal value; SDG8.6: by 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training; And SDG8.8: protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

Through innovation, engineering can impact the SDG8 targets by creating more prospects for a sensational future. Here we list example industries [3] that have been impacted the most by engineering and are proof that engineering will help achieve SDG8 targets.

Health: Throughout history, advances in medical technology have mainly been due to engineers, and without them, doctors would not be as efficient at helping people. Engineering has enhanced economic productivity through new medical equipment manufacturing industries.

Development and technology: From steam engines, and airplanes, new industries are being created, allowing businesses to work smarter and faster than ever before. Traveling continues to change the way we connect with one another, opening opportunities for new business and employment. The internet allows people to access information, banks, shopping, learning, communication, and much more.

In summary, engineering will continue to thrive while creating conditions to implement the SDG8 goals. In our era, it is evident that engineering remains the key to decent work and economic growth for our societies’ future.

Bibliography

Feb 26 2021 SAJA ASLAM
STEM AND SOCIETY, WRITINGS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) – WHAT ENGINEERS CAN DO TO ADVANCE SDG8
http://aslamsaja.com/sustainable-development-goals-sdgs-what-engineers-can-do-to-advance-sdg8/ 

PAGES 39 and 40 ONLY
W. Walker Hanlon, The Rise of the Engineer: Inventing the Professional Inventor During the Industrial Revolution, July 1st, 2021  http://walkerhanlon.com/papers/hanlon_rise_of_the_engineer.pdf

How exactly does engineering impact society?:  By Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET): Viewed on Jan 6th, 2022; https://get-trained.org/latest-news/how-exactly-does-engineering-impact-society

Employment and decent work. Official author: European Commission.
Time viewed for essay: Jan. 1st, 2022
https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/topics/employment-and-decent-work_en

The Role Of Engineers is Critical in Sustainable Development, By: Sohini Bagchi Created Sep. 15, 2021, at 2:33 pm
https://www.cxotoday.com/cloud/the-role-of-engineers-in-sustainable-development-is-critical/