Online program for automotive engineers

THE Society of Automotive Engineers – Australasia (SAE-A) has launched an online career development program designed to keep automotive engineers employed in Australia.

Dubbed CareerDrive, the program is backed by the Victorian government and aims to provide a “complete career transitioning program” for automotive engineers, from helping graduates gain a foothold in the industry to assisting experienced professionals move into new areas of employment.

According to SAE-A executive director Max Chanter, who launched the initiative at the 2010 Change by Design Active Safety Conference in Melbourne last week, CareerDrive is a progressive plan that meets the specific needs of Australian automotive engineers.

“In the challenging automotive engineering field, the SAE-A wanted to take a stand for its members in securing and maintaining satisfying and productive employment,” said Mr Chanter.

“The SAE-A does not employ engineers. But we did design a program to help Australian automotive engineers remain in this exciting industry, or at least transition into secure roles in related industries, such as aerospace, intelligent transport systems technology, rail and other forms of mobility engineering.”

Accessed at www.careerdrive.com.au, the online program is free for SAE-A members and assists them in gaining exposure to prospective employers (posting their resume, for example, and updating it as required) and preparing for career moves with coaching, training and mentoring.

Mr Chanter said the program was designed with “plenty of human interface”.

“CareerDrive takes users through a series of key steps, which can be revisited at any time,” he said.

“The user can load their resume on the system and change it at any time, they are interviewed about their need for careers coaching or skills training, we offer coaching, training and mentoring, and they can participate in online forums.

“The individual user controls their privacy and progress. They also gain access to positions advertised by relevant industry organisations.”