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