By Stephen Maranga
Institution of Engineering Technologists and Technicians (IET) Vice Chairperson Yucabed Gwaya has urged engineering technologists to embrace modern technology to foster their work and contribution to the country’s technological and industrial growth.
Gwaya, who was accompanied by IET Secretary Alice Mutai and Organizing Secretary Moses Gichana, was speaking in Kisii where she argued that technology is fast changing hence it’s necessary for engineering technologists to adopt to it and be relevant.
She challenged the professionals to be innovative to meet the needs of the society and help transform the world through technology.
She revealed that through technology, some technicians have managed to modify vehicles to reduce fuel consumption thus reducing costs.
“Some technologists are equipped with skills to enhance their practical work and technical principles,” she revealed, adding that they identify problems, take remedial action and ensure performance based criteria are satisfied within a safe and sustainable environment.
The official maintained that technologists can manage engineering technicians engaged in inspection, approval and certification of designs, tests, installations and reliable operations.
“Engineering technicians assemble equipment and test component parts of devices designed by others,” Gwaya noted.
The official noted that vocational technicians are also trained to specialize in a given area with less emphasis on scientific or mathematical principles.
“Vocational technicians use hand and power tools to service, maintain and operate machines or products useful to the engineering team,” Gwaya noted.
She noted registered Engineering Craft persons are highly skilled in a craft or art and can deal with specific and well defined engineering problems and activities in the system.
IET has six thousand registered members. Its core values are professionalism, integrity, accountability, transparency and timely service delivery.
