Recently, I have received many requests from members and various media outlets to comment on the effects of the financial crisis on infrastructure and skills shortages. To say that the current situation is both highly volatile and confusing is probably an understatement of major proportions, but I can't help wondering how much of it is the result of a sort of herd mentality in the stock markets and elsewhere leading to a self-fulfilling prophesy of doom and gloom. Not into a bottomless pit or black hole, I sincerely hope. I am aware of some instances of engineers, technologists and associates being made redundant, and of temporary recruiting halts being imposed in some firms, but overall, I think we have cause to be optimistic that our profession is well-placed to stay clear of the worst aspects of that black hole.
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