Tens of thousands of Canadians were affected by the recent WestJet mechanics’ strike. Hundreds of flights were cancelled affecting trips home, vacations, and business travel over the Canada Day long weekend. In response, the Globe & Mail published an opinion piece, and in it made a common error confusing three different professional titles: mechanics, technicians and engineers. Though a percentage of the workers who went on strike may have been engineers, the author incorrectly placed used that professional term.
This is a recurring challenge that affects the public perception of professional engineers and as a result OSPE took proactive steps to address this issue by promptly responding on LinkedIn and directly communicating with the Editor-in-Chief of the publication.
We also encourage OSPE members who see misunderstandings like this in news media to politely inform the publication of the error as well as informing our OSPE advocacy team at advocacy@https://ospe.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/academy-banner-7.png.on.ca.
Why the Distinction Matters
Many might not know this but the title “engineer” in Canada is protected and signifies only individuals who have completed a rigorous education, additional professional experience and licensure requirements, culminating in a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license.
OSPE emphasizes the importance of accurate terminology in journalism to ensure clarity and respect for these professional distinctions that take years of experience and education to qualify for.
The Undervaluing of Engineers
The author of the Globe and Mail opinion piece also expressed distaste at the “engineers” for wanting higher pay when their salaries are already higher than the national average. It is OSPE’s position that although engineers are well compensated, their value to society, especially in exercising their duty to protect the public interest is significantly undervalued, and thus often undercompensated when compared to other professionals.
This is especially true given the significant requirements to obtain and maintain a professional engineering licence.
OSPE remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining the integrity of professional titles within the engineering field. By engaging directly with media outlets, OSPE aims to uphold public trust and understanding regarding the qualifications, responsibilities and value associated with the title “engineer.”
If you would like to read the article referred to in this piece you can find it here: “WestJet mechanics make only $109,000 on average. Oh, the humanity.”
For further updates and insights from OSPE on issues impacting the engineering profession, follow OSPE on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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