Wgtn-based graduate engineering rotation programme

Media release
Thursday 13 December 2007

Wellington-based graduate engineering rotation programme launched

Transit New Zealand, MWH and Fulton Hogan today celebrated the launch of a new Wellington graduate engineering rotation programme aimed at defining the career path of engineers in the transportation field.

Transit New Zealand central operations manager Mark Owen says the programme between the three companies, which collectively manage Wellington’s state highway maintenance programme, is a positive step for recruiting and retaining engineers.

“There is currently a shortage of qualified engineers in our industry so projects like this one, which will give graduates wide experience and exposure to civil engineering within the Hybrid maintenance team early in their careers, is a good move. It provides greater opportunity for engaging engineering graduates given the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff in a highly competitive market,” Mr Owen says.

The Project New Grad programme will employ graduates for up to three years, within which time they will spend a minimum of one year per company on a rotational basis. Fulton Hogan northern zone recruiter Kiri Croasdale says this will give new graduates a tremendous insight into the three facets of state highway maintenance and construction – the aspects of client, consultant and contractor.

“By doing this we will put graduates on the right career path and can also ensure they gain experience in the 12 competencies needed to support any quest towards becoming a Chartered Professional Engineer,” Ms Croasdale says.

The purpose of today’s launch is for the three parties to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding for this initiative.

Mr Owen says a similar project has already been trialled in Otago with great success. It is anticipated that other new graduate programmes will also be arranged in other centres.

Glen Prince, MWH’s network management team leader, says he is pleased to be part of such a commonsense approach to ensuring young graduates have the best start to their careers.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for any young engineer leaving university as those first few years post-study are extremely important in laying the foundations of a solid career. It’s a good thing to be a part of, particularly with all the work being undertaken to maintain and improve Wellington’s state highway system.”

Today’s launch was celebrated at Transit’s Wellington Regional Office by Rimutaka MP (and former Transport Minister) Hon Paul Swain and the three company heads – Transit New Zealand Chief Executive Rick van Barneveld, MWH New Zealand Country Manager Andrew Caseley and Fulton Hogan Chief Executive Lindsay Crossen.

ENDS

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