Tom Gray becomes new Chairman of IET in Northern Ireland

Tom Gray, Group CTO of digital solutions company Kainos and Matrix panellist, has been appointed as Chairman of the Northern Ireland network of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

One of the main aims of the IET over the next year will be to inspire and nurture the next generation of engineering talent, something he has done as vice-chair and in his role at Kainos.

Gray’s year at the helm will start with the Chairman’s lecture on October 2, where Space Shuttle Endeavour pilot Greg Johnson will kick off UN Space Week. A mechanical engineer, Johnson will talk about how his engineering experience led to piloting the last flight of the iconic craft.

Commenting on his appointment, Gray said: “The mission of the IET is one of fundamental importance throughout the UK and especially in Northern Ireland. As well as on-going education and certification for members, the Institution is looking to inspire the next generation to get more involved in school and extra-curricular activities. This means we need to be proactive in providing opportunities and introducing them to role models, to show that careers in engineering and technology are accessible and exciting.”

The First Lego League, which gets schools involved in Lego Mindstorms to create innovative engineering solutions to problems, is one such opportunity for younger school children across the UK. IET², the IET Inspirational Educator of Technology is another. Pupils nominate their teachers for providing inspirational teaching by submitting videos of their achievements. In addition, the IET-sponsored IngeNIous Student award, aimed at Year 12/13 students, provides an avenue to reward Northern Ireland’s most promising engineering student.

Gray continued: “It’s essential that we demonstrate the benefits of becoming involved not just with the IET, but in a career around these subjects. Countless school children – boys and girls – have the skills to take on these careers, but they don’t have the opportunity or the confidence to do it. We want to change that.”

Gray’s push for greater participation is not limited to the next generation of engineers and technologists. He also aims to involve more software engineers with the Institution.

“The edges of our disciplines are constantly blurring. Mechanical engineers in the automotive space are closer to software engineers than ever thanks to connected cars. Similarly, structural engineers designing the smart cities of the future are more in tune with the technology that they have to integrate. Software engineers bring a lot to the Institution, and gain a lot as well, through the accreditations and career support that it provides. Every Kainos employee is given membership to the IET and encouraged to participate as a way for them to develop their career paths, through both accreditation and networking,” Gray concluded.

Kainos is renowned for its investment in its employees – it’s named in the Times Top 100 Places to Work and nominated for numerous other awards for its strength as an employer. The career development framework within Kainos matches up to the professional improvement pathways offered through the IET to maximise the opportunities for its employees – something it hopes other companies will echo.