NACE works to inspire new generations of corrosion professionals
Is the world’s corrosion knowledge sustainable? As veteran employees from the Baby Boomer generation begin to retire, the industry is at risk of losing their decades of knowledge and expertise. In the 2017 NACE International Career & Salary Survey, respondents acknowledged the continuing loss of experienced workers and the need to transfer corrosion knowledge from the older generation to the younger generation. They see a knowledge gap between the engineers who have been around for many years and those who are just entering the industry. As one respondent put it, “so much of what is known is not in textbooks and is not taught in schools.”
While this knowledge gap is seen by many to be a significant issue, the IEEE Engineering 360 "2017 Pulse of the Engineer" research survey found that only 36% of companies have formal practices in place to identify senior-level and specialized experts to train, transfer, mentor, manage or retain their knowledge among others in the organization.
To address this concern, NACE is engaging the corrosion industry’s younger workforce through a series of programs designed to involve engineering students and young professionals within the association. The annual CORROSION conference is the hub for networking opportunities for those new to the workforce as well as an opportunity to recognize outstanding students in the field of corrosion prevention and control.
At CORROSION, the association offers networking events exclusively for students, as well as volunteer opportunities, travel stipends, and free registration. Students may present their research at the Student Poster Session, which awards USD$9000 in total prize money and an audience of employers from various industry sectors represented at the conference. At the end of the conference, the NACE Foundation’s awards ceremony recognizes academic excellence and distributes scholarships to students who demonstrate a drive to succeed and become contributing members of the corrosion industry.
Beyond the annual conference, NACE is investing in its younger members’ professional development, and bridging the knowledge gap between newcomers and industry veterans through leadership training programs training opportunities designed to help corrosion professionals maximize their career potential.
“We are always seeking new ways to encourage leadership among our members,” said CEO Bob Chalker. “The association’s future – and the industry’s future – depends on the dedication of its leaders.”
“As we prepare to commemorate our 75th anniversary, this is also the time to focus on where we see ourselves in the next seventy-five years,” said Chalker. “Investing in our students and young professionals gives NACE have a strong foundation on which to base our progress in the decades to come.”
Find more about the NACE Corrosion Conference and Expo here: http://nacecorrosion.org/
