West Fraser’s commitment to engineering and teaching the next generation is highlighted on 4th March 2025, World Engineering Day

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) is an official UNESCO International Day, proclaimed in 2019 and based on a proposal from the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO). The theme for WED 2025, “Shaping Our Sustainable Future Through Engineering”, highlights the essential role that engineering has to play in achieving each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Engineering is crucial for sustainable development and the role of engineers is vital in addressing basic human needs such as alleviating poverty, supplying clean water and energy, responding to natural disasters, constructing resilient infrastructure, and bridging the development divide, among many other actions, leaving no one behind.

Source: https://worldengineeringday.net/listing/world-engineering-day/

Here, West Fraser, a company which has engineering prowess at its very core, illustrates how important the discipline is in the UK.

“Engineers are the backbone of West Fraser Europe; they drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability across all operations. The expertise in designing, optimising, and maintaining complex systems ensures that the company meets the highest standards of quality and environmental responsibility, enabling the teams to lead in the production of sustainable wood products.  As a leading manufacturer of renewable wood building products, we offer a diverse portfolio of carbon storing materials – a powerful resource in combating climate change for the built environment. We source our wood from responsibly managed forests; focus on long term forest health and biodiversity; and have set and received validation for science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets. We prioritise continuous improvement in our manufacturing processes to minimise environmental impact and ensure efficient resource utilisation.” Andrew Taylor, Engineering Management Team at West Fraser

Magdalena Swiatek Q&A’s –Graduate Energy Analyst

Why did you choose to go into engineering, and what made you focus on the energy side of this line of work?

I’ve always been drawn to problem-solving and finding efficient solutions, which naturally led me to engineering. Energy became my focus because it sits at the heart of some of the biggest challenges we face today— climate change, resource management, and sustainability. The idea of working in a field that directly impacts our future and helps create a cleaner, more efficient world was a huge motivator for me.

Why does engineering play an important role in sustainability?

Engineering is the backbone of sustainability. It’s the engineers who design the renewable energy systems, improve energy efficiency in industries, and develop technologies that reduce waste and carbon emissions. Without engineering innovations, our path to a more sustainable future would be much slower and more challenging.

How does the business align with your views on a sustainable world? How are the engineers in our business helping to achieve our sustainability goals?

Our business is committed to driving sustainable solutions, whether it’s through optimising energy use, integrating renewable sources, or reducing our environmental impact. As an Energy Analyst, I get to see firsthand how engineering plays a key role in these efforts—whether it’s through developing energy-efficient processes, using data to drive smarter decisions, or working on projects that directly contribute to sustainability goals. The work we do isn’t just about meeting targets; it’s about making real, lasting change.