Episode #3

Renewable Energies with Michael James

Welcome to Podcast #3. Don’t forget:

Our SUPER sponsor. Fuga Veloce – Italian for Fast Escape.
Our competition. Imagine getting driven around Sydney like a movie star in a Ferrari 360 spider. Leave a review in iTunes within the first 10 episodes and you could be a winner! To be announced in Episode 11.
Our drinking game. You can’t have a beer with an engineer without having a drinking game!! Anytime Dom says “ummm” drink up… and we can add “so” from Mel.

About Michael James

Michael worked for NSW TAFE where he is the Head Teacher (of electrical trades, electrical engineering and the higher education course in engineering).

At 66 years of age, his hobbies are golf and studying – he has just completed a Masters of engineering studies in Biomedical Engineering.

He commenced his career in the NAVY at 16. During his time he got his HSC and commenced his engineering degree at RMIT at 30 years of age. Towards the end of his career in the NAVY, Mike was an engineer on various Australian ships. This meant he was responsible for all engineering systems.

Two days after he left the NAVY, he joined TAFE to teach where he discovered his true passion lies.

Hot Topic discussion

Challenges of the administrational requirements within TAFE which is going through a realignment.
The challenge of keeping up with the ever-advancing application of engineering.
TAFE’s higher education course on renewable energies is the future. It is offering a level that is higher than a trade, but lower than a full degree and is recognised by Engineering Australia at the Associate level. There needs to be more courses for Engineering Associates
People want engineers to do more in the renewable engineering space, but from an engineering perspective, we’re not there yet. These areas need more research and investigation.

During this podcast, you will reflect on:

If you’re working in an area that you enjoy – and get can paid for it, that’s a bonus.
Learning is a lifelong journey.
What a career path in the RAN could entail.
What it means to be an engineer in the NAVY.
Even though the TAFE NSW system continues to evolve, the engineering foundations haven’t changed.
Engineering isn’t just about the technical side of life. It’s about where you work and who you’re working with.
The skills you learn as an engineer will help you make sense of the things you’re doing.
The importance of networking.