Engineering is one of those industries that has been severely impacted by the pandemic we face. While many industries are capable of thriving in a work-at-home setting, engineering is an in-person occupation.
1. Supply Chain Issues
If you own your own home, you might have discovered that there is a real shortage of pressure-treated wood in Canada. Whether due to an unprecedented increase in demand or an inability to access necessary resources, the supply chain that Canadian engineers and construction workers rely on has been disrupted in a big way. Engineers and construction companies are being forced to wait in long lines, delay their projects or even cancel some to deal with the unexpected disruptions.
2. Hiring Issues
Before the pandemic hit Canada, the Canadian engineering sector was in a hiring blitz. Now that the country has been thrown into uncertainty, the hiring has come to a slowdown. Many firms are starting to ramp up their hiring again but are incredibly cautious and slow to resume normal hiring velocity. If you have been submitting resumes but have been getting no response, just be patient. Once the pandemic ends, things will return to normal and projects will be starting up again like wildfire.
3. A New Set of Problems to Solve
It’s not all bad news for engineering. Along with the pandemic comes a whole new set of important problems that we need to navigate safely. Creating safe spaces and ways to maintain social distancing is an important part of our new lives. There are people at risk that need to be kept safe and medical professionals that need to administer care to these individuals. Innovative and unique solutions to these problems are the domain of many different types of engineers.
4. A Time for Education
With a huge section of the engineering world put on pause, the time to re-educate and upgrade is now. Getting back to normal is a process and won’t happen overnight. As we start to get our new footing and figure out how to navigate our way through this world, improving our education and employability will ensure that we are prepared for the future. Think about upgrading your engineering skills with Brighton College while the world is on hold and you’ll be better prepared for the return to normal.
Engineering has been greatly impacted in many ways by the pandemic we face. But not all of those impacts are negative, and engineers play a vital role in solving many of the problems that COVID has caused.
