The education of para-professionals in engineering is confusing. Engineering Associates who hold a two-year Associate Diploma or an Associate Degree (usually delivered by VET) are outnumbered by Professional Engineers who graduate with a four-year university degree. Universities educate a very small number of Engineering Technologists who have a 3-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree. Are these para-professional classifications still appropriate? Do they meet industry needs? Should they provide pathways for students to a professional engineering qualification?
