The City of Boroondara in Melbourne has given nine overseas engineers a unique look at Local Government in Australia, through a 12 week work placement within Council’s Infrastructure Department Faced with the daunting task of assessing and recording the location and condition of more than 30,000 road signs, Council decided to borrow some expertise from further afield.
Engineers from Ghana, India, Croatia, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Vietnam and China offered their services in exchange for local experience of an Australian workplace. As well as working on Council’s asset management project, they have spent one day a week in Traffic Management, Capital Works, Infrastructure Services and Design, or Technical Support.
One of the engineers from India had the expertise needed for a Capital Works project and was subsequently employed by Council. Another, from Venezuela, has since been employed by Mobil, and Council has made two other asset management positions available. The participants gained valuable experience in local technology, such as hand held computers and database software.
The overseas visitor program was organised by Council’s Asset Management Technical Officer, Ikani Taliai, Manager of Asset Management, Stephen Howe, and Manager of Learning and Development, Ken Wallis.
For further information contact Council’s Asset Management Technical Officer, Ikani Taliai, on (03) 9278 4527.
