Professionals who care
MICHAEL YOUNG
Michael Young is a trainer, coach and contracts engineer in the HVAC industry. He graduated from the
University of the Witwatersrand in the field of Mechanical Engineering (B.Sc Mech Eng) in 2008 and
qualified as a Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) in 2013. Michael is passionate about promoting knowledge
and helping other young engineers grow within the industry through his training workshops and
coaching sessions.
DEALING WITH
DIFFERING CULTURES
IS EXACTLY WHAT ECSA WANTS
By Michael Young
I was reviewing one of my student’s training and experience report for
ECSA registration in which he was describing how he was implementing
a machine line to improve productivity of the manufacturing plant.
I
nitially, he told me that he wanted to focus on the design
of this production line as he would then be demonstrating
competence with outcomes 1 and 2 of ECSA requirements.
I then told him to focus his report around how the labour
workforce would feel with the implementation of this new
machine line. Confused, my student said, “Michael, why
should I write an entire report on how people feel about the
implementation of this new technology?”
I then explained that ECSA outcome 6 is all about recognising
the cultural impact of engineering activities. I further mentioned
that when we refer to culture, we are not referring to race or
religion. We are referring to how people view the implementation
of our engineering decisions and how they feel about that
decision. My student was even more confused at this point. So, I
decided to explain ECSA outcomes in this manner: “Imagine you
were one of those workers and your boss told you that production
was inefficient and that the company was going to implement a
robotic line to improve productivity. What would your very first
reaction be?”
He replied, “Fear of losing my job. I would feel that this robotic
system was here to replace me.”
I said, “You just hit the nail on the head.”
By implementing this robotic system, you are creating
a cultural change. A change within the environment that
creates fear and distress. I then asked how he was going to
deal with this fear. He told me that the implementation of the
machine line was not to replace the labour force but to reduce
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RACA Journal I March 2020
the number of safety incidents that were currently being
experienced as safety was the main reason for an inefficient
production line.
The current labour force was there to operate the machines.
So, I told him to focus his report around how he implemented
a training schedule to ensure all workers were able to use these
machines but also to describe all the communication and
assurances he had with the labour force to eliminate fear of losing
their jobs.
So, when we are talking about accomplishing ECSA outcome
6, we are referring to how our engineering design and systems
will disrupt the current culture of employees or society.
Remember, culture does not refer to race or religion in terms
of ECSA registration, it is referring to how people feel, how our
system may challenge their current way of performing tasks or
challenge their viewpoint.
I know, this may sound strange, but this aspect is often
neglected when performing new designs that help solve
problems.
How does this unique skill help you become a company asset?
Send me an email at [email protected] and
we can schedule a free coaching call.
I hope to hear from you soon. RACA
www.hvacronline.co.za