One of the key themes for Mr Kieft’s ECA presidential term, which ends in May, has been to raise the profile of the engineering and electrotechnical sector, while promoting the ECA across the UK.
In addition, Kieft has been one of the main drivers in bringing together a number of engineering sector bodies, with many agreeing to work in partnership to promote the value of engineering services to clients and government.
According to Dave Kieft: “The ECA’s profile has risen significantly in the last year, but it is also building strong, effective partnerships with other bodies in our industry. Partnering will ensure that the interests of the entire sector, and what we have to offer, are communicated to government and other stakeholders with a strong, single voice.”
Kieft adds that for the sector to realise its commercial opportunities, it also needs to bring more young people into engineering. To boost awareness of both the career opportunities, and to identify the excellent talent that already exists in the engineering services industry, the ECA launched its new ‘Power Players’ initiative in April.
Kieft commented: “It’s now absolutely crucial for our collective future prosperity that we communicate the considerable benefits of a career in engineering to young people, their parents, teachers and careers officers.”
Kieft formally comes to the end of his year-long tenure as ECA President on 17 May. He is also the ECA’s Wales spokesperson and managing director of Swansea-based RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services.