The Young IPWEA Australasian committee is seeking to create a Professional Development Framework. The goal of this framework is to chart out the career pathways within Public Works to help young professionals target areas for growth and provide experienced professionals with a toolkit to provide that guidance.
In a deep dive of the technical skills, knowledge, and abilities to undertake tasks as an Engineering Manager, Civil Engineer, Construction Manager, and Technicians we can see the differing emphasis in each of the roles which will form the basis of this framework.
With Professional registration coming online in Victoria cementing the requirement for technical competence and continuing professional development, the challenge is to also underscore that a foundation of soft skills is critical in career development.
Furthermore, in the coming decade as these data sets and artificial intelligence grow, the long term trend for public works is a reduction in time spent undertaking routine technical tasks while an increase in time spent focusing on people, solving strategic problems, and thinking creatively – the tasks computers can’t simulate. Identifying the attributes that help build individuals resilience to this disruption will also future proof public works agencies themselves.