Institution of Civil Engineers in UK encourages ‘engineering happiness’

from Engineers Australia

The UK’s Institution of Civil Engineers has released a video of London’s civil engineers singing and dancing their way through the city’s infrastructure to help spread the word that engineering is a fun and diverse career choice.

The video features both female and male engineers who are working on some of London’s iconic infrastructure as they dance and lip sync their way to Pharrell Williams’ international hit Happy. The sites filmed include the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the London Underground, Walton Bridge, Hammersmith Flyover, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Thames Barrier and Kings Cross Station.

In addition, some well-known civil engineers like ICE’s director general Nick Baveystock, and Sir John Armitt, who led the delivery of the London 2012 Olympics infrastructure, are in the Engineering Happiness video as is politician, Victoria Borwick, the deputy mayor of London.

Within six days of its launch, there were more than 30,000 hits notched up on YouTube. ICE says it is hoping the infectiously upbeat video it commissioned with the assistance of engineering company Bechtel will go “viral”.

ICE London director Miranda Housden said 11-14 year olds would consider a career in engineering but they don’t know enough about it and what exciting and rewarding careers are within their grasp. This is in keeping with a similar situation in Australia and Engineers Australia’s initiatives toward young students in this country.

“We want to bust that myth, showcasing the awe inspiring projects that civil engineers are delivering in our capital … showing how our people really are – creative, smart, diverse teams whose work makes a difference to our lives every single day,” Housden said.

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