Re: Engineering in a recession

Well the fact is that more than the companies, the employees are in a stake now. They are always in the fear of losing the jobs and getting the pink slip. I myself is so worried about it. The hire and fire policy must be changed. The company has the rights to fire. But a framed policy and rule must be there. If they can do that, employees will be relieved.

Re: Engineering in a recession

The grave danger is not just confined to "engineer at a lower cost". It implies giving the same quality and throughput at the very same budget and deadlines. The real challenge is to keep up with the promises made before the "recession". And by the way, I don't think every thing can be accomplished by "free tools", at least they aren't competent enough for what the buyers demand.

Re: Engineering in a recession

I didn't mean to suggest that free tools are a panacea for a recession. Instead, as every company looks at cost cutting, free tools may be the only tools that are available to assist engineering teams. And I would rather see cost cutting happen to technology rather than see engineers lose their jobs.

Re: Engineering in a recession

With this looming "recession" however, many companies are realizing (too late?) that they must streamline their processes. They are learning that they need to design quicker and better making the best product the first time. Engineering revisions and product testing cost time and money which companies (and people) just don’t have. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money or even save money. It doesn’t matter if the tool is free or cost thousands, if it doesn’t do the job that needs to be done. The landscape of industry is changing drastically. Over the next few months/years some companies will disappear, some will be merged with others creating whole new companies. It’s the ones that think ahead, and not only quarter by quarter but 5 and 10 years at least, that will emerge victorious and profitable.

Re: Engineering in a recession

Shad has given the valuable points. According to me this situation will happen every now and then. All the industries cannot survive for about a century. Every industry will have a cycle. Say for example in the past 5 years, the Banking, Financial and IT industry had a boom. But now the vice versa happens. I feel like mechanical and Automobile industries are on the uptrend. So the recession will always stay in one or the other field.

Re: Engineering in a recession

Having worked with engineers for the past 20 year as a machinist .What once was considered a skilled trade where you could take some pride in your work has become a matter of getting the job done as fast as possible. Often at a significantly lower quality just to keep the manufacturing jobs here in the states and not winding up over seas.Most shops take no actions to streamline their processes and often depend on the skills of their workers to overcome these matters.Lean manufacturing practices are not in place and itseems like there is a lot of excuses for the decline in manufacturing but no actions being taken to help improve lead times on their products and services.I have thought about starting a machining business but I am not sure about this in these hard times. I know I can do this by working smarter and taking lean manufacturing to a new level.I would like to hear any feedback and can be reached at j.r.h.enterprises@comcast.net Hrad times often require extream change to make a difference.

Re: Engineering in a recession

helo, can any one please help me. I have recently passed my mathematics and physical science with merit from high school and I wish to study civil engineering at the unversity of leeds next year but I cant afford to pay tuition. All I need is donations from anyone who is willing to help.I really need to become a civil engineer. any amount can make a difference. my paypal e-mail adress is michaelgreen87@ymail.com. your contribution will be highly apreciated. thanks.