In 2018, Arthur, Chief Executive Officer of Pritchard Francis, visited an all-girls school in Perth to highlight career possibilities in engineering. With him were two young female engineers, their stories a showcase for the rewarding career paths that engineering offers. One student, so inspired by Arthur’s presentation, decided that night to pursue engineering at university.
Fast forward to July 2024, and Arthur was the guest speaker at the graduate ceremony for the University of Western Australia’s Oceans Graduate School, School of Engineering and Graduate Research School. Observing the graduating class before the ceremony, he spotted the same student among the crowd. It was a “proud moment,” Arthur reflected as he stood before the sea of faces.
Arthur, a member of Consult Australia’s Board of Directors, is a strong advocate of workplace diversity and is actively involved in promoting the profession through various initiatives.
Arthur's career journey commenced at UWA, so it was an “incredible honour” to be welcomed back to speak to the newest cohort of future engineers.
Pritchard Francis, which announced it was joining Colliers' Engineering & Design business earlier this month, has forged strong ties with the university over many years through its scholarship program and internship opportunities. Eva Coulson, the student Arthur inspired all those years ago, will be one of the next cohort of interns, spending the summer vacation of 24/25 working within her chosen discipline with Pritchard Francis.
Pritchard Francis has a strong track record of retaining and advancing graduate engineers. Over the past 22 years, 53% of interns have continued their careers with the firm, with many achieving significant tenure. Notably, four of the five current executive team members began their journeys as graduate engineers with Pritchard Francis.
Arthur’s message to the next generation of engineers was powerful and uplifting. Engineering is a profession that carries significant responsibility and is “revered for good reason,” he said. “The responsibility you will ultimately hold is high… you'll have people's lives at risk. You'll be influencing society, changing communities, making lives better, improving living standards.”
“You'll be carrying the stature of your profession on your shoulders. Carry it with pride and never underestimate its importance.”
While technical knowledge is vital, other capabilities like collaboration, curiosity and mental “match fitness” are equally crucial. “Dreams are lived out based on capabilities” and the engineering profession’s potential is limitless.
“The lack of definition around what a professional engineer does makes it difficult to choose engineering in the first place. But that same lack of definition is the true beauty of this profession. The options are endless. The variety is boundless.”
Arthur’s speech is a call to action for seasoned engineers: use your voice, leverage your experiences and continue to promote and shape the future of the profession.
For a five-minute shot of inspiration, watch Arthur’s full speech on YouTube and check out Consult Australia’s new Diversity and Inclusion Hub for resources.