Engineering students choose James Cook University because of its strong reputation for practical, hands-on learning. For many of us, access to well-equipped laboratories and experienced technical staff was a key reason for choosing JCU. Practical learning and laboratory experience are fundamental to becoming a competent engineer.

While virtual reality (VR) and simulation have a place in some fields, it is not an option for engineering. No simulation can replicate the experience of working with real equipment, troubleshooting problems, and applying theory in a laboratory environment and students are concerned that these technologies may reduce the amount of genuine hands-on practical learning rather than enhance it. Practical experiences prepare students for industry, and many engineering skills can only be developed through direct interaction with equipment, instrumentation, and real-world processes.

Laboratory technicians are essential to this learning. They do far more than prepare laboratories; they maintain specialised equipment, ensure laboratories operate safely, solve technical issues during classes, and provide guidance that helps students get the most from practical sessions, alongside lecturers. A large component of the engineering degree is the final year thesis where the help from laboratory technicians is fundamental to ensure high levels of safety during experiments and equipment is calibrated correctly.

Students already experience limited access to technical support due to class sizes and staffing levels. Reducing technical positions will mean less assistance during practical classes, increased pressure on remaining staff, and a poorer learning experience for students.

Engineering disciplines require highly specialised technical knowledge. Chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering laboratories all have unique equipment, processes and safety requirements. This expertise cannot simply be generalised across broader functional teams without affecting the quality of discipline-specific support.

Practical classes develop the technical skills, confidence, and problem-solving ability that employers expect from engineering graduates. Reducing specialist technical support risks diminishing these learning opportunities, limits students’ opportunities to gain confidence using industry-relevant equipment and heavily reduces the quality of JCU engineering graduates.

We recognise the University's need to improve efficiency and sustainability. However, this should not come at the expense of practical education, which is advertised as one of JCU's greatest strengths and a major reason many students chose to study engineering here, rather than at another institution.

As engineering students, we strongly support our laboratory technicians and recognise the critical role they play in our education. We respectfully ask the University to reconsider the proposed reductions to engineering laboratory and technical staff. Investing in experienced technical staff is an investment in student learning, graduate capability, and the future reputation of JCU's engineering programs.

JCU Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS)