By Matthew Sims
A group of 20 construction graduates have got to work in Maidstone on building a scaled-down replica of a steel cantilever bridge as part of an initiative to inspire the state’s next generation of infrastructure leaders.
As part of Victoria’s Big Build project, the Constructionarium Australia project would give the graduates currently working across Major Road Projects Victoria [MRPV], BMD and Arcadis hands-on experience in working collaboratively to deliver a project.
The participants launched the eight-day program on Wednesday, June 1 in Maidstone, which will include three days of theory and five days building the steel bridge structure, which would be about 25 metres in length and would weigh five tonnes.
Major Road Projects Victoria chief executive Allen Garner said the program would allow for broader understanding of how companies can deliver major road projects.
“This training initiative is being piloted at an opportune time in Victoria when the breadth of civil construction companies can participate through MRPV’s recently implemented Program Delivery Approach model,” he said.
Participants ranged across all relevant disciplines and aimed to gain experience in all aspects of a large-scale engineering project, including project management, communications, stakeholder engagement, design development, environmental and planning work, safety, budget and project delivery.
Transport infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan said the training program would provide the participants with an opportunity to safely learn the steps of a project’s life cycle; from the key roles across the client, designer, contractor and supply chains to how collaboration can positively impact a project.
“This partnership will ensure our state’s next generation of infrastructure, engineering and construction professionals have the tools they need to forge their careers through an immersive new upskilling program,” she said.
