Engineering Education Australia (EEA) has partnered with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) to create the Engineers Australia’s Graduate Learning Program – Rail, a professional development program for engineering graduates in the rail industry.
The program is designed for organisations in the rail industry that are ready to invest in their graduate workforce and shape them into efficient and effective engineering professionals.
EEA General Manager Alexandra Sparvell said the rail sector in Australia continues to grow, and requires dedicated and well-rounded engineers to deliver on the current and future pipeline of work.
“Combining the learning and insights from both the ARA and EEA, our focus is to deliver an outstanding graduate program for the rail sector that will give graduates the many skills they need to thrive as engineers,” he said.
Designed in consultation with engineering organisations and the ARA, this engaging and flexible 18-month program helps new engineers develop the skills to achieve business results.
Content within the program aligns to the underpinning knowledge engineers need to start their journey towards Chartered status.
ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said the inclusion of the ARA’s Understanding Rail course as part of the program would help provide a strong understanding of the rail industry in Australia and New Zealand.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Engineering Education Australia on this comprehensive professional development program,” she said.
“Engineering professionals are in high demand as the rail industry delivers on a $155 billion pipeline of work over the next 15 years alone.
“This collaboration will give graduates a strong understanding of the many facets of the industry and provide an insight into the range of ways they can build a long and rewarding career in rail.”
The program will give graduates the many skills they need to thrive as engineers, while showing them how to continue developing these skills independently into the future. It will give them a greater understanding of the impact of their work and decisions on others.
To participate, graduate(s) must have an engineering degree in any discipline and been working in an engineering-related role in the rail industry for two years or less.
The program is carried out as a completely online learning experience, allowing graduates to continue their professional development from any location.
The mix of flexible online education practices includes experiential and social learning, interactive webinars, virtual workshops, engaging materials with coaching and support.
The program is flexible and content and delivery modes can be customised to meet business needs and complement other learning programs.
- Personal empowerment module
This module lays the foundations for professional and personal growth. Participants are equipped with the skills to take personal responsibility for the planning and development of their own careers. They go on to develop self-awareness in order to regulate their emotions and improve interpersonal skills.
- Understanding rail module
This provides a comprehensive introduction to the rail industry. Participants will learn about the rail industry’s contribution to the economy and community, different types of rail infrastructure and rollingstock, rail specific asset management practices, how to safely operate a rail network, understand how the range of businesses that make up the rail supply chain work together.
- Project management module
This module focuses on the skills and processes required to plan and execute successful projects that deliver desired business outcomes. Practical skills to leverage stakeholder relationships and manage projects are developed through a range of learning activities.
- Professional skills module
This builds leadership and professional capabilities to drive innovation and respond to a rapidly changing environment. It will challenge ability to think critically and work collaboratively. A focus is placed on sustaining success throughout graduates’ careers and pursuing goals such as Chartered status.
THE EEA PROMISE
EEA has long been at the forefront of professional development for engineers.
Working in collaboration with Engineers Australia, as well as leading experts in education and business, it helps clients maintain their professional standards and remain competitive throughout their careers.
As Engineers Australia’s training provider, EEA is embedded in the world of engineering. It keeps a constant watch on industry trends and emerging technologies, and ensures all training courses, workshops and programs are designed around today’s engineers.
To help grow credibility and confidence – along with skills and knowledge – courses and programs are always up to date and relevant. All EEA training facilitators are esteemed industry experts, providing a real-world context, and all learning contributes towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours with Engineers Australia.
EEA focuses on making sure the training offered is relevant and flexible, so clients have what they need when they need it.
For more than 30 years, it has delivered on this promise. EEA is a trusted partner of public and private sector organisations throughout the country and to thousands of individual engineers who have gone on to gain or maintain Chartered status.
In the past financial year alone, EEA provided more than 125,000 CPD hours in training and welcomed 3500 engineers from 110 organisations to its specialist brand of professional development.
The course catalogue can be viewed online. It details a comprehensive range of training courses and workshops, explicitly designed to upskill and future-proof engineers and professionals in related fields, as well as tailored training opportunities for businesses.
Also on the site, find out how EEA can help assess and manage workforce capability through the Engineering Skills Framework, and read up on programs such as the Professional Year in Engineering, Engineers Australia’s Graduate Program, or the Emerging Engineers Leadership Program.